1) Scenario: I have windows at home and Mac at school. I want to put songs from windows and use it as a giant memory card for school macs...is it possible? Are i-pods platform dedicated or can an i-pod work with Windows and Mac?...Very important question...my main question actually.

2) Once songs are put on an i-pod from a certain computer does i-pod recognize that computer as the only one it will take songs from and PUT BACK IN? Sony Net-MD does that as a piracy prevention measure (will take song from any computer but will only empty songs into the first computer it was used on)?

3) Question #1 again. Will it. I would love an i-pod but i need it for more than music.

4) I know it acts as an harddrive so can it hold any type of file like a normal HD would?

5) If I work on Photoshop on school macs and save it to my I-pod so can I, then come home, and plug my i-pod into my windows PC and work o nthe same Photoshop project?...this is vital and my real reason for buying an i-pod.

Thank you.

Your best bet would be to send an e-mail to Apple. They probably would be very happy to answer all your questions if you are a potential customer.

whatcha need is flash memory portable HD...one of those things that goes on your keychain.

just so you know, an Ipod needs a battery replaced after about a year that costs $100-200. I suggest going with a better, yet cheaper HD-like music box like NOMAD: http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_20gb/

or Archos: http://www.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=90129977&loc=440

and just get a cheap portable flash drive

128 MB http://www.memorysuppliers.com/sa25crmiusb21.html
256 MB http://www.memorysuppliers.com/le25usb20jup.html
64MB http://www.memorysuppliers.com/soycig51usbf.html
512MB http://www.memorysuppliers.com/sacrmi51usb2.html
1GIG http://www.memorysuppliers.com/bu1gb10usb20.html

1) Yes
2) I think you can add songs from any computer, but you can never actually pull a song off an iPod onto a computer (using iTunes), though there are third-party applications that will do this for you. The iPod stores the MP3 files just as files on its disk, there's no particular obfuscation or encryption.
4&5) Absolutely.

My advice, get one. They rock!

Porfiry

Thanks..I needed to clear that up. Also is Ilikesalt right about the battery change needed every year?

The iPod battery is a rechargeable one that isn't "user replacable" like a flashlight would have. However, you can replace it yourself, and there are sites that explain how to do it. The battery costs around $59. Or you can send it in to Apple and for $99 they will replace it. But it doesn't need replacing every year. It will last anywhere from 300-500 charges. Right now I'm charging my iPod about twice a week, so at that rate I may need battery replacement in three or four years. If I keep it that long. My last iPod I had for 18 months and then, under warranty (I bought the extended warranty) I replaced it for a brand new 3rd generation one that was much better. So in the last two+ years I haven't had to change my battery yet. My hunch is that you will replace your iPod before you replace your battery. But YMMV.


errrr...not so good ?