Just thought of this problem recently, I will be getting a Macbook for college and can't wait to use my ipod with it. However, my ipod is a windows based model, therefore when I try to update my itunes on my mac and sync my ipod to it, will my ipod even work with the Mac? What must I do to sync it to the mac, surely not purchase a Mac based ipod?

Just thought of this problem recently, I will be getting a Macbook for college and can't wait to use my ipod with it. However, my ipod is a windows based model, therefore when I try to update my itunes on my mac and sync my ipod to it, will my ipod even work with the Mac? What must I do to sync it to the mac, surely not purchase a Mac based ipod?

 

 

lemme see if i can help :)

 

when you say your ipod is windows based, you mean, it was first set up on a pc (windows)? i have both platforms, pc with windows and a macbook as well, and when you first plug in your ipod it will automatically detect which you are on, and set it up accordingly. but this can be changed at any time, by simply plugging into a different platform. so, for instance, when you plug it into your new macbook, it will automatically detect that it is formatted for windows, and will ask you if youd like to change it to the mac format, to which you can choose which one you want (whichever you will be using most is what i suggest).

 

the only catch as far as i know, it will reformat the ipod completely, basically resetting it, therefor wiping out your saved music. that in itself is no biggie if you have it all backed up on cd, or, if you transfer your songs to the mac.

 

iTunes also lets you authorize up to 5 computers, so you can have your songs on both your windows and your mac, but you really only need to keep them on the one you will be using the most.

 

hope this helps. im no expert though, just sharing the little bits i've learned on my own through bouncing from a pc to a mac, and i must to say, you will LOVE the macbook! it is one sweet baby! :D

Thanks, so just to make sure, when I reset the format from windows to mac, on the macbook, itunes will delete all my music?

yes, but i say that based on my experience.

 

you can read here for more info from other ipod users:

 

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=977638&tstart=0

 

and here for more questions you may have:

 

http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=146

 

 

plus, now there's iTunes plus which is

 

"Now you can download music and videos from EMI that are free of DRM rules and restrictions. With iTunes Plus, you can burn the music you download from iTunes to as many CDs as you need, transfer it to as many computers (Mac or PC) as you want, or sync it to as many devices as you like. And because it's encoded in 256 kbps AAC, your iTunes Plus music is virtually indistinguishable from the original recording. Hear it for yourself — you can preview all iTunes Plus songs before purchasing.

 

iTunes Plus music is available now for many EMI artists, such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Norah Jones, Coldplay, and many more. DRM-free EMI music videos are still $1.99 and music tracks are $1.29.

 

Even better yet, you can also upgrade existing EMI songs in your iTunes collection for just $.30 per song."

 

:)

But for iTunes Plus you need to download iTunes 7.2.

right. though, if you get a new macbook, it should have the latest version already, possibly. if not just download it.

right. though, if you get a new macbook, it should have the latest version already, possibly. if not just download it.

 

Depends where you get the Macbook from, if it's from the Apple Online Store than it should have the latest version on it, but if it's from a retail store, than it might not have the latest version of iTunes on it.

 

But it's 32MB, so it's no "biggie" for broadband.