The final word, 40g formatted for Windows or Mac?

[matchswain]

I'm in need of a definitive answer to a question that's arisen from searching the forums:
I will be buying a 40g iPod next week, to use with an XP laptop and a PowerMac G4 equally. I have read all of the messages and previous posts, and I understand how to make the iPod work for each machine when formatted for the other, but no one has answered which format is better for a user of both Windows and Mac. Should I format for Windows and, since Mac can read the file format, upload to iPod in disc mode, then transfer from iPod to Windows laptop and upload back to iPod in a playable format? Or do I format for Mac and install Ephpod or XPlay? I would like to avoid multiple software installations beyond what is required to make the iPod work.

It should be noted that most of the cd burning will take place on the PowerMac, but I wish to use the iPod as a portable HD for multiple Windows machines...will Windows formatting make that possible (via USB)?

Many thanks in advance for the assistance.

[ashawley]

If most of your CD burning (and hence uploading of tunes) will be done on the Mac, you should format it as a MiPod.

However, you have a little problem. If you want to use it just as a harddrive on Windows machine, and you're talking multiple machines, then you're going to have to install something like MacDrive or MacOpener on each Win machine you want to connect to.

There isn't a definitive answer because each person's usage patterns are different. You should format it so it matches the machine you primarily use. But if you have mulitple machines you need to connect to for uploading Windows files, then you're going to want to format it as a WiPod.

I should note, that folks have had mixed results using WiPods on their Mac with iTunes. But it should work.

Adam

[matchswain]

Firstly, thank you for the advice.

I suppose then my question becomes: if I format as a Win iPod, will I be able to upload the music from a Mac and play and use the songs? Or will they simply become files on a drive that will need to be loaded onto another computer, the iPod reformatted, and re-uploaded? It seems wise to format as a Win iPod since a Mac will read the drive...unless the transferred files are unusable. It is confusing and I apologize if this is a bit convoluted. Thank you.

[Lance]

I use my ipod on both my pc and my Girlfriends osX imac. I formatted my ipod to a Wipod, and have no problems using itunes to manage the ipod on both computers. I used a demo of mac opener and ephpod, and wanted to use ituens insted. I've had no problems w/ the ipod formatted as fat32. I've used it as an external hard disk for both computers with no problems at all.

My recomendation would be format it as a Windows ipod. You can use it on both computers trouble free (in my experiance), and with no additional software other than itunes.

[ashawley]

See, I knew someone would come along and set me straight. :D

In the early days of WiPods folks where having problems in some cases.

Do what Lance says. Format to WiPod and I'm sure you'll have no problems.

Thanks for posting that Lance, I'll take your experience into account going forward.

Adam

[matchswain]

Thanks for your help...the advice is greatly appreciated. WiPod it will be.

[matchswain]

Just an update on the advised method of formatting:

I purchased the iPod and formatted it as a Win iPod on my PC...had no issues using the new iTunes for Windows transferring music to the iPod.

Plugged in via Firewire to a Mac, and the iPod was instantly recognized both in iTunes and as a removable drive on the desktop, with no problems uploading from the Mac.

Based upon this experience, I would recommend formatting as a Win iPod for someone with the intent of using the iPod on both PC's and Macs.

Thank you Lance and Adam for the advice.

[ashawley]

And thank you matchswain for posting the results back. Another confirmatin that all is well is great to have.


Adam

[Piquet]

I can confirm matchswain's observations. I primarily use a mac (at home) but windows at work. My iPod is formatted to Windows and works flawlessly in both environments both for data transfer and music.

[M.S]

Wipod. Native iPod uses maybe 30 directories 3 or 4 deep, with predominantly large file sizes, so advanced features or smaller allocation blocks aren't required of a file system.

Aditionally, it makes it much more useable as a portable data container, since you can connect to 'most any Mac or PC without needing drivers.