Buying a 5th gen iPod - Anything I need to know?

[LimeiBook86]

Ok in the next few weeks I'm going to buy myself a new iPod. My last iPod I had is the first iPod ever, the 5gb FireWire model with the physical scroll-wheel. I'm all excited but, I want to be sure on a few things. Now I know that a lot of iPod models can use FireWire but, some can not. I have a PowerBook 12" G4 867mhz with USB 1.1. I have the iPod Dock connector to FireWire cable but, will this new 5th generation iPod support FireWire?

It would be bad if I'd have to use USB 1.1, I could use my PC but, I would really want to use my Mac. Is there anything else I should know before buying a modern iPod? I know a lot about the iPod and the Mac but, are there any small things that have changed that I should know about? I know the product is new so if I can't find an answer here I'll chat with the guys at the Apple Store.

Thanks!
-Limey

 

[eva01]

get the 60GB whatever you do, as it has 6 hours more battery life.

And i am unsure if it uses firewire at all, that may be why it is much thinner

 

[kainjow]

New iPods don't support FireWire at all. USB all the way. Why? a) it's cheaper and b) USB is more standard then FireWire. Yea it might suck not being able to use FireWire, but USB is makes more business sense. Plus, all you Mac users who don't have USB 2.0, Apple knows you'll want to buy a new Mac that does, so more money for them

 

[iEdd]

Hmm.. We recently got two photo ipods (one for dad, one for brother), that supported firewire. We just bought a USB-FW sync cable.. I can't say I know if the video ipod supports jack Sh** lol..
I still have my classic 3G 20GB model... Best value ever, with carry case, dock and remote.

 

[matticus008]

New iPods don't support FireWire at all. USB all the way. Why? a) it's cheaper and b) USB is more standard then FireWire. Yea it might suck not being able to use FireWire, but USB is makes more business sense. Plus, all you Mac users who don't have USB 2.0, Apple knows you'll want to buy a new Mac that does, so more money for them

Yep. And before anyone comes along and gets huffy about being ditched by Apple--you've had the past four years to buy a Firewire iPod. If you were going to buy one, you'd probably have one by now. If you're looking to replace your iPod before your computer, well, maybe you should rethink that plan, in light of Apple's strategy.

 

[puckhead193]

Some questions ....
can the firewire support be added with update ? (if so i'm sending an email to apple. I have so many freaking USB devices either a new PB with more USB conections or have FW as an option.
also which is faster FW 400 or USB 2.0 - people say different all the time
so if i use my FW cable from my old 3g ipod it wont work?

 

[kainjow]

Some questions ....
can the firewire support be added with update ? (if so i'm sending an email to apple. I have so many freaking USB devices either a new PB with more USB conections or have FW as an option.
also which is faster FW 400 or USB 2.0 - people say different all the time
so if i use my FW cable from my old 3g ipod it wont work?

No.

FireWire is a hardware feature. It requires specific hardware to use!! It's like asking for an iPod update that gives your iPod bluetooth - it's impossible.

If your current computer doesn't have USB 2 or you can't buy a PCI card for it, don't buy a new iPod. Simple as that.

 

[matticus008]

Some questions ....
can the firewire support be added with update ? (if so i'm sending an email to apple. I have so many freaking USB devices either a new PB with more USB conections or have FW as an option.
also which is faster FW 400 or USB 2.0 - people say different all the time
so if i use my FW cable from my old 3g ipod it wont work?

No, no firewire support is possible. The new iPods don't have the hardware. It looks like you'll need a USB hub if you're out of ports. Most people these days can't get by without a hub.

The debate will never end about FW vs. USB 2.0, but suffice it to say that both are more than capable of handling the hard drives in the iPod and keeping up with all tasks. Your old firewire cable might work for charging in a pinch, but nothing further, and no guarantees for charging, either.

EDIT: beaten to the punch!

 

[Elrond39]

I have one of those dual cables... the one with both FW and USB 2.0. Now, I use the FW for charging, and the USB for syncing. This is still possible, I assume?

 

[matticus008]

I have one of those dual cables... the one with both FW and USB 2.0. Now, I use the FW for charging, and the USB for syncing. This is still possible, I assume?

Probably. The dock connector's power pins are probably the same, and they're probably the ones that your cable connects to. The iPod nano charges via Firewire, so I don't see why the new one wouldn't. But we won't know with certainty until someone actually tries .

 

[Elrond39]

Probably. The dock connector's power pins are probably the same, and they're probably the ones that your cable connects to. The iPod nano charges via Firewire, so I don't see why the new one wouldn't. But we won't know with certainty until someone actually tries .

I'll be the guinea pig then, I'll get back to you when I know.... only 13 more days.....................................

 

[iEdd]

USB 2.0 Top speed: 480mbps
FW400 Top Speed: 400mbps
USB 2 is theoretically better, but actually, it's much slower... The way FW works, with 4 pins for data (+2 for power), is much more consistant than USB with 2 pins for data (+2 for power).
Call for help, the TV show did a test, they transferred a file (I can't remember the size), but it took 26 minutes with USB2.0 and 10 minutes with FW400.. (About that.)
So which is faster? you decide.

 

[matticus008]

USB 2.0 Top speed: 480mbps
FW400 Top Speed: 400mbps
USB 2 is theoretically better, but actually, it's much slower... The way FW works, with 4 pins for data (+2 for power), is much more consistant than USB with 2 pins for data (+2 for power).
Call for help, the TV show did a test, they transferred a file (I can't remember the size), but it took 26 minutes with USB2.0 and 10 minutes with FW400.. (About that.)
So which is faster? you decide.

Firewire is indeed faster for sustained transfers, but it really doesn't affect the iPod much, because it uses relatively slow hard drives with mediocre seek times, and even "high RPM" hard drives only ever achieve that rotational speed in a narrow part of the disk. For multiple small transfers (like loading songs into RAM), it's not going to matter much what the theoretical limit is.

It's like saying USB's speed limit is 75 and Firewire's is 85. That's great, but if you car maxes out at 60, it makes no difference.

 

[itsbetteronamac]

I still have my classic 3G 20GB model... Best value ever, with carry case, dock and remote.

I agree I have the same iPod. I am thinking about getting this new one though. 20 hours of battery life, and the ability to watch diggnation on the go, is pretty appealing.

 

[iGary]

Am I the only one that noticed there is no accesory jack at the top anymore?

 

[Lacero]

Why did Apple go back to the sharp edges in the polycarbonate? That is so dumb. The iPod will feel like s*** in the user's hand. It's an awful design flaw of the original 1G and 2G iPods. Jonathan Ives, or whoever designed the sharp facing needs to be shot.

 

[mad jew]

Am I the only one that noticed there is no accesory jack at the top anymore?

Didn't notice it, thanks iGary.

I can't imagine the third-party iPod accessory industry will be all that happy...

 

[MrSugar]

Why did Apple go back to the sharp edges in the polycarbonate? That is so dumb. The iPod will feel like s*** in the user's hand. It's an awful design flaw of the original 1G and 2G iPods. Jonathan Ives, or whoever designed the sharp facing needs to be shot.

Seems hard to judge if you haven't held one in your hand. The nano is the same way and that seems to be getting rave reviews, perhaps you should wait to judge.

Also, a bit of overkill to suggest Ive be shot, I mean he is the person we have to thank for nearly every single apple product design we have. Most of which are absolutely stunning.

Also, I rather like the new design look, I think it will do quite well.

I can't imagine the third-party iPod accessory industry will be all that happy...

According to what I read the technology is still in place for the accessory port, but it now must be accessed through the bottom dock port. This means accessories will need to be redesigned, but it also means it won't be quite as bad as originally thought.

 

[puckhead193]

Am I the only one that noticed there is no accesory jack at the top anymore?

i did, my poor itrip, what am i going to do when traveling from to school

 

[elbennet]

i did, my poor itrip, what am i going to do when traveling from to school

this site said that Griffin is releasing an iTrip that connects to the docking pins...we shall see

 

[LimeiBook86]

Thanks. I might be buying a new Mac when they are released, and i'll wait for the iPods to be tested/reviewed. It sucks about FireWire, I wish USB 2.0 was on my PowerBook ugh...oh well.

EDIT: Also I noticed a few things I don't like, the iPod doesn't come with an AC adapter. When I got my old iPod it came with one, also if you buy an AC adapter it doesn't come with an extra cable, the AC adapters used to come with a cable and everything. I guess I'm just used to the old ways of Apple

 

[killuminati]

EDIT: Also I noticed a few things I don't like, the iPod doesn't come with an AC adapter. When I got my old iPod it came with one, also if you buy an AC adapter it doesn't come with an extra cable, the AC adapters used to come with a cable and everything. I guess I'm just used to the old ways of Apple

WHAT?!?!?! It doesn't come with an AC adapter??? What about if I'm traveling? I have to take my powerbook with me? Wow Apple is really starting to get cheap. An AC adapter should not be an added accessory. It's essential.

And what about those times when I would have a problem with my iPod and it would say to plug it into the AC adapter to charge. Will that not happen anymore? Or if it does, you have to go buy a charger???

 

[dotdotdot]

WHAT?!?!?! It doesn't come with an AC adapter??? What about if I'm traveling? I have to take my powerbook with me? Wow Apple is really starting to get cheap. An AC adapter should not be an added accessory. It's essential.

And what about those times when I would have a problem with my iPod and it would say to plug it into the AC adapter to charge. Will that not happen anymore? Or if it does, you have to go buy a charger???

I remember when I got my 3G 20 gig iPod - the good old days of Apple. Everything needed was included - and they threw in stuff I don't use but some do - some pretty cool stuff (headphones)

20 Gig THEN (3G) - $399
iPod 20 Gigs
Earphones
Firewire Cable
Case
AC Adapter
Remote Control (wired)

20 Gig MID (4G) - $299
iPod 20 Gigs
Earphones
USB 2.0 Cable
Apple Stickers

30 Gig NOW (5G) - $299
iPod 30 Gigs
Earphones
USB Cable
Case (?)
Apple Stickers

SO, Since 3G, Apple has removed the remote control and AC adapter, and Added Apple Stickers. The 4G was the first to have Apple stickers and the only gen not to have a case. It was also the first gen to come with USB 2.0 instead of firewire.

 

[killuminati]

Thanks for posting that dotdotdot. I realise now that they took away the AC adapter, and the remote but lowered the price $100. I'd much rather have it this way and have the choice to buy an adapter and a remote if I choose to later.

 

[Josh396]

SO, Since 3G, Apple has removed the remote control and AC adapter, and Added Apple Stickers. The 4G was the first to have Apple stickers and the only gen not to have a case. It was also the first gen to come with USB 2.0 instead of firewire.

That's not entirely true. Apple didn't stop shipping iPods with a firewire cable until the entire line was switched to color screens. When the 4G iPods came out last July they came with both USB and Firewire.