Are there any Mac users in the house?

[kokoshka]

This is possibly my last attempt to get someone to make my mind up for me. I'm to buy my first DAP soon, and cannot decide. Initially surprised and a little ashamed at my caution, I can now say in my own defence, having given the matter some thought, and then some, that the problem is not properly understanding the criteria. If you buy say, a car, you can quite easily choose on the grounds of such tangibles as speed, fuel consumption, load space etc.
With digital recording however, it seems that unless you're already familiar with the medium, then you have nothing much to go on apart from appearance, and since I would prefer a DAP that looked more like an overgrown and well worn Zippo lighter to anything I've seen, appearance is not really an issue.
So, are there any Mac users out there who have bought a DAP, used it successfully on a Mac, been happy with it, and if so, what is it?
I need a minimum 20gb and would prefer external battery backup.
I'm thinking Archos 202 or iPod, my budget is around £180. Possibly the Toshiba Gigabeat, given that it can record directly?
To all those who have already given me advice on other threads, thankyou. I'm really now just making sure that my short listed players will work with the Mac. And inviting suggestions (polite only please).

 

[mick's cat]

I think you'll find that your options are heavily limited if you use a Mac. Even if you can obtain any decent software that drives a non-iPod DAP from specific manufacturers it will be light years behind iTunes. If there's one thing Apple can do (apart from building computers and iPods, that is) it is create good integrated software to drive their hardware products.

What's more, iTunes on Mac OS X is in a world of its own. While iTunes runs on Windows, it still doesn't feature the same integration as on the Mac. With iSync for syncing calendars etc, and a wide range of third-party syncing software for notes, weather forecasts, news and other things, an iPod on a Mac simply cannot be beaten by any other DAP on any computer platform. Other DAP makers simply (1) haven't woken up to the fact that software is critical to how a DAP functions (2) either can't or don't want to even try to match the software support that iPod users have on a Mac running OS X.

It's only my opinion, but I think you'll miss out if you opt for any other DAP than an iPod for your Mac.

 

[kokoshka]

Hello Mick's cat, thanks for that. I will follow your advice. I don't know whether or not you've read my input on other threads but if you have, you'll already know that I'm something of a simpleton when it comes to the world of MP3's and DAPs. But even I should be able to manage the Mac / iPod interface. Now I've just got to choose which model, I can't wait for tomorrow's revelations. Thanks again.

 

[tomson]

... iTunes on Mac OS X is in a world of its own...

Amen to that

 

[mick's cat]

I don't know whether or not you've read my input on other threads but if you have, you'll already know that I'm something of a simpleton when it comes to the world of MP3's and DAPs. But even I should be able to manage the Mac / iPod interface. Now I've just got to choose which model, I can't wait for tomorrow's revelations. Thanks again.

We've all got to start somewhere, so it's not a problem. Keep asking if you have any more queries. That's what's good about this forum (although there are some bad things too...).

As to the new models, it'll be around 6pm tonight UK time I expect. That gives them time to have a leisurely breakfast out in California before they get to work. What work, eh? Sun, beaches, and playing with Macs and iPods all day long.

 

[beolab]

If you have a Mac then get an iPod. NO BRAINER.