[metallicareload68]

I have a 867MHz TiBook 15" PowerBook. I want to buy an iPod Nano, but it says that I need USB 2.0. So am I pretty much SOL? Will it totally not work?

I have been borrowing a 30 gig iPod, I think it's from the latest and greatest generation. Syncing is slow, but I don't care so if that is why "USB 2.0 is required" then I don't mind slow syncing. If my computer is not compatible with the Nano, will a Shuffle work? Thanks for any help

[Dork.]

We have a 1st Gen Nano, and it most certainly did work with USB 1, it was just very, very slow. (Since then, we upgraded my wife's laptop to a MacBook Pro and got USB 2.)

There's no real technical reason (that I'm aware of) for why a USB 2.0 device would not work on USB 1.

[DKeithA]

The latest generation of nanos require USB 2.0 and will only use 2.0; just like the iPhone.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by DKeithA 

The latest generation of nanos require USB 2.0 and will only use 2.0; just like the iPhone.

Incorrect. Read here. USB 1.1 will be slow as molasses but it WILL work with a 2G Nano.

On the other hand, you're right about the iPhone needing USB 2.0. Aside from the obvious fact that it could take years to sync an iPhone over USB 1.1 (), I don't know why or how this is done.

[Dork.]

Like I said, there's no technical reason why a USB 2.0 device wouldn't support older versions of USB. However, manufacturers may want to disable this "feature", if they can, to make customer support easier. (Easier for them, that is -- if they disable slower connections, no one will call complaining about how slow their connection is!)

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by metallicareload68 

I have a 867MHz TiBook 15" PowerBook. I want to buy an iPod Nano, but it says that I need USB 2.0. So am I pretty much SOL? Will it totally not work?

I have been borrowing a 30 gig iPod, I think it's from the latest and greatest generation. Syncing is slow, but I don't care so if that is why "USB 2.0 is required" then I don't mind slow syncing. If my computer is not compatible with the Nano, will a Shuffle work? Thanks for any help

If I were you, I'd get a 4G iPod or an iPod Photo - firewire syncing is much, much faster than USB 1.1, and you might find in the long run it's just less frustrating.

It's really a shame that Apple is dropping firewire support from their #1 seller after years of trying to push firewire support on consumers.

[Earth Mk. II]

My old (stolen) nano had no problems syncing over my oldey-timey USB 1.1 ports. You'll be fine.

Originally Posted by ghporter 

On the other hand, you're right about the iPhone needing USB 2.0. Aside from the obvious fact that it could take years to sync an iPhone over USB 1.1 (), I don't know why or how this is done.

That's because there really isn't anything stopping the iPhone from being used over USB 1.1, which I can confirm from extensive first hand experience. My iPhone performs all supported functions over USB 1.1, including the software update. Sure, it takes longer to sync, but no longer than a 4 or 8 GB nano. Likely it wouldn't be supported if I ever did have a problem, but I think the iPhone even uses the same controller chip as the nano and other iPods.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

It's really a shame that Apple is dropping firewire support from their #1 seller after years of trying to push firewire support on consumers.

Indeed.

Especially since *so many* "dead" iPods can be miraculously fixed simply by hooking them up to a Firewire dock cable (even those who don't support Firewire).

Long-dead devices simply spring to life and cheerfully inform you that they won't work with Firewire. Leave them hooked-up for a few minutes, and they'll work happily with USB again.

Our tech tells me that's because Firewire will simply supply the power, while USB waits for some sort of check, which on the iPod will fail in certain circumstances if the battery runs too low, meaning the damn thing just won't power up.

I've seen this often enough to get really annoyed with USB.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by analogika 

Indeed.

Especially since *so many* "dead" iPods can be miraculously fixed simply by hooking them up to a Firewire dock cable (even those who don't support Firewire).

Long-dead devices simply spring to life and cheerfully inform you that they won't work with Firewire. Leave them hooked-up for a few minutes, and they'll work happily with USB again.

Our tech tells me that's because Firewire will simply supply the power, while USB waits for some sort of check, which on the iPod will fail in certain circumstances if the battery runs too low, meaning the damn thing just won't power up.

I've seen this often enough to get really annoyed with USB.

Interesting, I think I need to look on eBay for "dead" nanos!

[ghporter]

Some USB devices simply refuse to do anything without permission to draw power. This has to do with the USB spec, which allows the controller to manage how much power the devices connected to it draw. On the other hand, one of the frequently noted negatives about firewire is that there is NO power management, and devices are allowed to draw power no matter what. That's good for really, really thoroughly drained iPod batteries. An iPod with a battery that low will not be able to "ask permission" from the USB controller to draw power, so it'll just sit there. Yes, I do have a firewire cable for my iPods... and Dork has a very interesting idea there.

[Dork.]

Interesting. I was unaware that USB had a "Mother, may I" approach to charging.
Since I'm doing more work with PC interfaces now in my new job, this thread now validates my surfing MacNN on company time!

[amazing]

Original question was about using a Nano with a Titanium. I'm surprised nobody suggested the very easy solution of using a USB 2.0 PMCIA card? It's a relatively cheap solution at $29 or so, and requires only 10.2.8

ADS Turbo USB 2.0 PCMCIA w/2 Ports Expansion... (USBX-2001) at OWC

If you buy an 8 GB Nano, how much is your time worth? Doing it over USB 1.0 vs over USB 2.0?

[metallicareload68]

I have put 16+ gigs of stuff on the latest generation iPod (got it this last spring), from my TiBook. It took awhile but it worked. I want to get an 8 gig Nano, would the transfer take longer than the iPod? I don't mind long syncing as long as it works

[Earth Mk. II]

Your computer should work fine with the nano. And I think it's safe to assume 8 GB will transfer faster than 16 GB.

Plug it in, select the playlist(s) you want to sync, then make yourself a sandwich or 5. My estimate is that it'll take about 2 hours to fill it.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Dork. 

Interesting. I was unaware that USB had a "Mother, may I" approach to charging.
Since I'm doing more work with PC interfaces now in my new job, this thread now validates my surfing MacNN on company time!

Some devices are "better behaved" than others. Of course Apple USB devices comply with the standards very closely, while other manufacturers' devices ... well they may not.

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by amazing 

Original question was about using a Nano with a Titanium. I'm surprised nobody suggested the very easy solution of using a USB 2.0 PMCIA card? It's a relatively cheap solution at $29 or so, and requires only 10.2.8

ADS Turbo USB 2.0 PCMCIA w/2 Ports Expansion... (USBX-2001) at OWC

If you buy an 8 GB Nano, how much is your time worth? Doing it over USB 1.0 vs over USB 2.0?

This is what I was going to suggest. iBook owners may be SOL, but at least PBs have PC card slots.

[metallicareload68]

Thanks folks! My Nano is on the way

[metallicareload68]

Update:

8 GB Nano works fine with the old USB. Took about 3 hours to put 6.0 to 6.5 gigs of music on, but thats no big deal. Sync's in only a few seconds too. Thanks for the help