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anothermacguy · May 9, 2003, 11:31 AM

Hello,

I'm a windows user (right now, my mac is away from me), I want to get an ipod, and I'm tempted to get a 2nd gen 20gig because of the prices right now.

I do like the new ones a lot, but the price of the old ones is tempting, and I do like the front of them better.

I was wondering, how much more convenient the new ones are for a windows user? As far as physically connecting, charging, and syncing.

A followup as well...must I use my ipod with musicmatch? Could I use Realplayer instead if I prefer it?

Thanks for any and all help

codywalton · May 9, 2003, 11:51 AM

I don't know how well the new ipod's sync with windows as opposed to the old ones. I do know that you have to use music match (for now). It's pretty apperant that Apple is planning on releasing iTunes for Windows later this year... then I would expect music match support for ipod to go away. iTunes is a much better music organizer than mm anyway.

anothermacguy · May 11, 2003, 12:28 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to iTunes for windows too.

Does anyone else know if syncing, and charging is that much easier with the new iPod?

With the 2nd gen...how was the iPod charged on a windows machine, since its 4pin firewire?

Yoda's Erotic Piggyback · May 11, 2003, 01:18 PM

As far as I know you cannot charge with 4 pin firewire, those other 2 pins are the power.

From what I heard the music software for PC is totally horrible but nothing you can do about it.

http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews_mo...?id=46_0_6_0_M

anothermacguy · May 11, 2003, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the link yoda. I knew the other pins were for power over firewire, so should I assume you have to charge with an ac adaptor?

adamberti · May 11, 2003, 02:58 PM

I think the new ones are supposed to make it easier with the new dock connector. What it allows you to do is have it charge via the AC Adapter at the same time its plugged in to your computer via USB 2.0. However that functionality will not be available until June when Apple releases the USB drivers for it.

If you have an old iPod and only 4 pin firewire, then you have to plug it in your computer to sync, but then plug it into the wall in order to charge it. So I guess the new one will be easier to use in theory. You can just drop your iPod in the dock and it will charge AND sync at the same time.

But if you have 6 pin firewire, then you can choose either as it makes no difference.

Yoda's Erotic Piggyback · May 11, 2003, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by anothermacguy:
Thanks for the link yoda. I knew the other pins were for power over firewire, so should I assume you have to charge with an ac adaptor?

Actually it comes with a 6 pin cable and a 4 pin adapter. You then use the 6 pin firewire cable and plug that into the AC adapter.

But yes, the new ones let you get around that (Sorta) by allowing you to plug it in through both USB and the charger at the same time.