Would an iPod make a good backup hard drive?

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
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i was thinking about getting an iPod....could i use it as a hard drive to back up my digital photographs? (as well as play music of course).

would the software allow transfer of non-music files?
 

Kermy

Senior member
Sep 15, 2000
375
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That's what I use it as, aside from the music of course. It mounts as a HD on both macs and PCs though you have to turn on the option in iTunes for the PC.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
A harddrive makes a better backup for a hard drive.

The iPod is a hard drive with a screen and a battery attached.

I don't use mine for backup, but I move files back and forth between home and work all the time.
 

Xionide

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2002
8,679
2
81
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
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Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

so, do all or most hd-based mp3 players allow for storing non-music files?
 

Paulson

Elite Member
Feb 27, 2001
10,689
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www.ifixidevices.com
Yes it would make a great backup storage type thing... I've used mine for that reason a few times...

I'm going to use my for a 24/7 shoutcast station... or at least a shoutcast station that runs whenever I'm not going to use the pod
 

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
8,140
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Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

Battery isnt an issue if it is running off a power source like a firewire port.
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
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Originally posted by: bR
i think it would be pretty stupid if you buy one and thats your primary use for it. :p

:) of course not. i was considering getting one for playing music, in the first place. i was on the fence, but then i remember hearing about it's ability to store non-music file. i wanted to know how well it could be used to back up my digital photographs.....and maybe push me to buying one.
 

ClueLis

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2003
2,269
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Originally posted by: iamme
Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

so, do all or most hd-based mp3 players allow for storing non-music files?

Most do.
 

Jackhammerz

Member
Jan 25, 2004
141
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Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

That is the purpose of the ipod's docking bay. My ipod is a backup for everythin on my system. The ipod is one of the greatest investments I made in my life as long as u keep up w/the applecare. Trust me. I just got a new ipod a week ago because my other one was messed up and didn't have to pay for squat. Gotta love the Apple Store in Indy.
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
3
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Originally posted by: Jackhammerz
Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

That is the purpose of the ipod's docking bay. My ipod is a backup for everythin on my system. The ipod is one of the greatest investments I made in my life as long as u keep up w/the applecare. Trust me. I just got a new ipod a week ago because my other one was messed up and didn't have to pay for squat. Gotta love the Apple Store in Indy.

how did it get messed up?
 

Jackhammerz

Member
Jan 25, 2004
141
0
0
Some how after restarting it one night, it just continued to restart itself and get over heated. Actually with an attachment the ipod can be a multimedia card reader and several other things as well. :D
 

slydecix

Golden Member
Jul 16, 2001
1,898
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Backing up important information onto a portable device that you carry around with you (and can easily lose) is not a good idea.

Just buy a dvd burner or an extra hard drive (one that's not part of another device).
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
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depends if you have the space left on the ipod. sure u can use it for files, the people who made the lord of the rings movies sometimes shuffled clips back and forth using ipods:)
 

Tetsuo

Lifer
Oct 20, 2002
10,908
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I use my 40gb to transfer files to my friends house all the time, fsck burning cd's :p
 

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
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Originally posted by: Xionide
Would you like double the space for half the price? Buy a zen. Oh and remeber about the ipods battery.

Apples and oranges (if you'll pardon the pun). People who knock the iPods in favor of the Zen have obviously never owned an iPod ;) But in any case, the new iPods do not have that battery problem, and not all of the older ones did either.