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anothermacguy · Oct 11, 2002, 08:07 AM

Hello, I'm away from my Mac for a year while travelling, but i would like to buy an iPod. As PC's are much more available here, I was hoping I could buy a PC iPod and use it with them for the next year, but still use it with my Mac when I get home. Is this possible? or is the PC iPod only going to work with a PC?

mahk · Oct 11, 2002, 11:45 AM

I just happened to be looking this up yesterday ...

From Apple's iPod FAQs:

I have both a Mac and a PC. Will my iPod work on both?
No, iPod is specially configured for either Mac or PC. iPod for Mac comes in the HFS+ file format which is optimized for performance and usability in Mac OS X and 9. iPod for Windows comes in the FAT32 file format which is optimized for performance and usability in Windows ME, 2000, and XP.

If you purchased an iPod for Windows, you can easily reformat it to work on your Mac by downloading the iPod for Mac Software Updater on the Apple website. Note that once it is reformatted, it will only work with Macs. You need Mac OS 9.2 or Mac OS X version 10.1 or later to reformat an iPod for Windows into an iPod for Mac.

You cannot reformat an iPod for Mac to work with Windows usless you own an iPod for Windows, which includes the iPod for Windows software updater. This software is only available when you purchase an iPod for Windows.

Using the iPod for Mac on a PC, or using the iPod for Windows on a Mac, is not supported by Apple.

Can I use my existing iPod for Mac on a PC, or my iPod for Windows on a Mac?
Using the iPod for Mac on a PC, or using the iPod for Windows on a Mac, is not supported by Apple.

slider · Oct 11, 2002, 02:53 PM

Ah, so the software doe exist for to convert an iPod for the Mac to the PC, but getting the software require you own an iPod of Windoze. Thanks, this question has been asked before I didn't know the answer, the problem is getting the software from someone how has the PC version.

fulmer · Oct 12, 2002, 12:26 AM

it's silly for apple to say that these various activities aren't 'supported by apple.' The iPod itself isn't even supported--unless you count online support only, which isn't really support. more do-it-yourself self-help.