iPod ipod windows versus mac format

[Sossity]

I am about to start a new itunes library using itunes on my mcbook pro. I have an ipod 160 gb classic that I have been using on a windows PC. Do I have to format it to mac? or can I leave it to Windows format so I could use it on the PC in the house?

Also, I keep all my music, including my itunes library on an external hard drive. will I be able to access my itunes library on my macbook pro's itunes & the itunes installed on the windows PC? so long as the external hard drive is plugged in, so I could snyc & use my ipod on both computers?

 

[lostless]

You can use a Windows formatted ipod on a Mac with no problems. The only disadvantage is that you cant update the system software on the ipod on the Mac. Not that maters since Apple hasn't released any updates to the ipod classics. If you format for Mac, you wont be able to use it on a PC as a PC ,by default, does not read/write mac formatted disks with out some other 3rd part software.

 

[rgarjr]

if you're starting a fresh new itunes library on your Macbook, then restore it to Mac format and call it a day.

 

[brucem91]

with my old iPod's, I kept them "Windows-formatted" for the very reason that I could enable disk mode and use them as "flash-drives" to transfer files between Linux/Windows and OS X. If you already have a flash drive though, or don't need to use your iPod as a file-transfer device between Linux/Windows and OS X, then make it "Mac-Formatted".

 

[Sossity]

You can use a Windows formatted ipod on a Mac with no problems. The only disadvantage is that you cant update the system software on the ipod on the Mac. Not that maters since Apple hasn't released any updates to the ipod classics. If you format for Mac, you wont be able to use it on a PC as a PC ,by default, does not read/write mac formatted disks with out some other 3rd part software.

If I build my itunes library on my external hard drive from using itunes on my mabook pro, will I be able to open the itunes library on my external hard drive when I plug it in to the PC with itunes? is the library on my external hard drive readable & functional on itunes on both the mac & PC?