jonnyk429 said:
I don't what would happen if you did both. I would never try it, what benefit is there. Charging faster?
The benefit is this: You only have to plug your iPod into one place, the Dock. If your computer is on, your iPod will sync and charge through the USB. If your computer is off, it will charge through the FireWire power adaptor "brick". (nothing about charging twice as fast)
Originally posted by zip22
i think a powered USB hub would work like that. but i'm not 100% sure they stay powered on when the computer is off.
I heard this suggestion on another site too zip22. Sounds kind of rediculous to buy a USB hub for one device but hey, whatever works. Would you recommend a specific one or would any old powered USB hub work?
Originally posted by Knitter
I have the USB Cable + Firewire Cable at my desk at home and use it with an ipod dock. The firewire part is pluged into a "brick" which stays plugged in to an outlet. When I need to connect to the computer, I use the USB part to do that. I also have my speakers plugged in to it so I can listen and not worry about battery level when I take the ipod with me. Works very well for me
This is great to know Knitter. However, are you using an older iPod or a new Nano? I spoke with a salesman at the local Apple store today and he said the combination USB Cable + FireWire Cable is only for older iPods that couldn't charge using the USB. So I thought it was perfect, but then he explained the pin-out for the dock connector is different and thus will not work with the newer iPods like the Nano. Did he really know what he was talking about?