iPod with USB 1.x or FireWire syncing

[GGD]

I'm much more familiar with the progression of Apple's computer products than their iPods, and need some advice on which iPod would work for this situation.

One of the kids has a 30GB iPod that seems to have finally died, it was the first 30GB model, with the touch wheel and 4 buttons above it. I'm interested in replacing it with another hard drive based iPod, with more than 30GB.

The computer that it's being used with is a 900MHz G3 iBook (USB 1.x), running 10.4.10.

Looking at the current generation iPods, they list USB 2.0 as a requirement.

So the questions are.

Will the current version actually work (slowly) with USB 1.x, or is USB 2.0 an absolute requirement.

Do any of the current models still support FireWire for syncing and charging like the original iPods? Maybe I missed something reading the specs.

If none of the current hard drive based iPods will work with a G3 iBook, what was the last hard drive based iPod that supported FireWire for syncing and charging, maybe it's still available as a refurb.

I'd rather not be forced into a computer upgrade in order to replace an iPod.

Thanks

[deckeda]

I *think* they'll sync with FW, but would need USB for charging, so just the opposite of that 3rd-generation you're replacing.

[Jem]

All iPods* should sync via USB 1.1 (including the iPhones) albeit extremely slowly.

I believe the LAST generation of iPod to still be able to use a FIREWIRE cable was the iPod Photo (color screen, but no video). All iPod Minis should also work with FireWire.

All iPod Video and later, and all Nano and later, and all Shuffles require some form of USB.

Good luck!

*With the exception of those that aren't dockable and came with only a built-in firewire port. I think those are 1G and 2G models..

[Zoidberg]

GGD,

We covered this a few days ago; check out this thread -- some basic info:
http://forums.macresource.com/read/1/464035/464080

Apple link re/what iPod syncs to what: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60971

Your choices seem to be:

(a) legacy (used/reconditioned) iPod that syncs via Firewire
(b) upgrading the Mac
© living with a slow USB1 sync (see Apple link; not all iPod can sync via USB1)

[GGD]

[quote Zoidberg]GGD,

We covered this a few days ago; check out this thread -- some basic info:
http://forums.macresource.com/read/1/464035/464080

Apple link re/what iPod syncs to what: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60971

Your choices seem to be:

(a) legacy (used/reconditioned) iPod that syncs via Firewire
(b) upgrading the Mac
© living with a slow USB1 sync (see Apple link; not all iPod can sync via USB1)
Thanks, that Apple chart is helpful. Now all I need to do is try to figure out which models those are.

Is what the article calls "iPod (5th generation late 2006)" the same as what the refurb store calls "Apple Certified Refurbished iPod (previous generation)" and comes in 30GB and 80GB sizes? I think they are from the descriptions I read.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/We...=FA446LL/A
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/We...=FA450LL/A

Seems like those will work slowly with the USB 1.x of the G3 iBook and then will be fast again in the future when we upgrade the Mac.

[ka jowct]

Why not just get an adapter cable? We have a "two-headed" cable here that has both FW and USB connectors, connected to a previous-gen 30GB iPod.

My computer isn't on all the time, so I usually plug the iPod in to my powered USB hub for charging. To add or remove stuff, I hook it up to my USB 2 card, but I assume that I could also use the FW end of the two-headed cable to attach it to the computer.

[GGD]

[quote ka jowct]Why not just get an adapter cable? We have a "two-headed" cable here that has both FW and USB connectors, connected to a previous-gen 30GB iPod.

My computer isn't on all the time, so I usually plug the iPod in to my powered USB hub for charging. To add or remove stuff, I hook it up to my USB 2 card, but I assume that I could also use the FW end of the two-headed cable to attach it to the computer.
I don't think that cable would help with the current generation iPods and a G3 iBook. Those iPods don't support FW for syncing, and require USB 2.0 for syncing, and the iBook only has USB 1.x and no expansion capability, so there doesn't appear to be any way to sync the new iPods with a G3 iBook unless I'm misunderstanding something.

But it looks like the previous generation will at least sync over USB 1.x.

[Zoidberg]

The cable wouldn't help in terms of syncing; the most you can do is derive power from it. For instance, I have an older iPod FW400 sync cable hooked up to a power adapter in the bedroom for juicing up my iPhone. It will provide power to charge it but that's all.

As you note, acc'd to the Apple table, you'll at least be able to sync at mind-numbingly slow speeds (i.e., start the sync at bedtime) with that current G3 iBook.

[Jem]

[quote GGD]I don't think that cable would help with the current generation iPods and a G3 iBook. Those iPods don't support FW for syncing, and require USB 2.0 for syncing, and the iBook only has USB 1.x and no expansion capability, so there doesn't appear to be any way to sync the new iPods with a G3 iBook unless I'm misunderstanding something.

But it looks like the previous generation will at least sync over USB 1.x.
Whether or not an iPod that states USB2.0 as a requirement will work with USB 1.1 really should be verified. I have personally witnessed an 8GB iPhone syncing via USB 1.1. Other than the slowness, I can't think of why USB 1.1 wouldn't work.

Sometimes Apple is conservative in their listing of what works... presumably to cut down on the complaints about how crappy it works (being slow).

It's all about setting expectations. Hey, if you expect it *won't* work, and it does, but is slow, you'll be thrilled.

The issues surrounding Firewire vs. USB support are a bit more concrete. Presumably at some point Apple stopped making iPods with built-in Firewire I/O chips.

[GGD]

Take a look at the Apple article that Zoidberg pointed out http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60971

The current generation iPods really do require USB 2.0, while the previous versions would work with USB 1.x. I really do think that's accurate, since Apple does have two separate columns in the chart and documented the USB 1.x support for other models.

"Hey, if you expect it *won't* work, and it does, but is slow, you'll be thrilled."

But if it doesn't work than it's totally useless for my situation, no way to sync it at all and I certainly will not be thrilled. I would rather buy something where there is some documentation saying that it will work, rather than something that is documented as being unusable for my situation.