[talisker]

I'm planning on buying a 40GB iPod, but seeing as I only have a 20GB drive on my ibook I'll be using the "update manually" (or whatever it's called) option.

In that case, when I have my iPod connected, will iTunes simply show everything that's on my iPod, as if it's my normal iTunes library (even though a lot of it will only be on the iPod)? And will I be able to make playlists from this iPod-based library in the same way I would if all the music was sitting on the ibook?

In other words, do I miss out on any iTunes / iPod functionality because I won't have duplicate synced libraries on my ibook and ipod? (Apart from obviously only being able to make changes with the ipod connected, and increased effort in having a backup library etc)

[icruise]

So you're going to have all your music on the iPod? You shouldn't miss out on any functionality. The iPod will show up under your "Sources" list and the music on the iPod will be viewable there, just as the music in your main library is.