Hi Pete
Yes you can use the iPod classic as you describe, but there are
several things to keep in mind when doing so.
1. If you want to use it this way, plug it into your windows machine
first so that it gets formatted with the FAT32 filesystem. This is
because, while Mac can read and write the FAT32 filesystem used by
Windows on most removable disks, Windows is completely unable to read
or write the native Macintosh filesystem. However, this will not allow
you to update your iPod's firmware from the Mac if it is windows
formatted, you'll have to use Windows to do that. I very strongly
recommend the latest 1.1.1 firmware update if you go with the Classic.
2. When using your iPod as an external hard drive, all automatic
synchronization functions will be turned off.
3. Even when used as an external drive, music files must be
transferred using iTunes, or another program that can manipulate the
iTunes library database, in order for them to be seen by the iPod.
Simply transferring them with the Finder or Explorer will not allow
you to play them with the iPod, since according to the iPod they're
not there. You can still transfer them from one computer to another
this way, just keep in mind you won't be able to play them until
they're transferred appropriately.
4. the iPod's hard drive, while fine for music playback and the other
things for which it's designed, isn't the fastest. If speed is
important to you, you'd probably want to consider a dedicated external
drive.
I hope all this helps. Personally, I love the Classic, but that's
because I've got about 15 gigs of music and adding more all the time.
hth
On Feb 14, 2008, at 7:36 PM, Peter Apgar wrote:
All,
I am looking to purchase a pod in the morning. I am curious if I
can use
it both as a back up for my pc for all of the windows files, along
with
using it for music. will I be able to transfer files from my pc to a
new mac
using the pod as a external drive? the answers will determine
weather or
not to get a classic 180 or a nano
my apologies for my quick response I failed to follow my own
statement.
keep up the great work.
Pete .
