Can you connect your ipod to more than one computer?

i was wondering if it is possible to hook up an ipod to more than one computer? i would like to use itunes both on my home computer and my lap top. is this possible?

Hi ctwerner, welcome to the forums.
In a nutshell, it is and it isn't. The first category to address is the operating system - if you own a Windows computer and a Mac laptop, or vice versa, the process is impossible as the file structures will be different. However, assuming you have computers with the same type of operating system, it is possible, but there are a few things to bear in mind.
iPods have two modes of updating - manual and automatic. In manual, you have to drag all your music across from the iTunes library and basically do everything yourself. Automatic is the complete opposite - iTunes synchronises everything in your library with your iPod. Updates the time, too.
Basically, if you use manual, the 'Pod becomes what I'd call a 'rogue' - not tied to any computer. You can plug it into any machine and copy music to it (not from it though - copy-protection doesn't allow it). In automatic, for convenience and to make sure your library is accurate, the 'Pod is locked to the original machine. I say 'locked' but it really isn't. However, if you have the 'Pod set to auto and change computers, iTunes will ask you if you want to change the library settings to that computer - if you say yes, it'll wipe your 'Pod clean of music (not other files if you use it as a hard drive, I think) and copy only the files it has in its' library. Likewise, switching back will result in the same thing.
To change between these settings, plug your iPod into your original computer (ie the one you use the Pod with), go to iTunes and choose Edit -> Preferences -> iPod, and then pick either the top option for 'Auto' or the bottom for 'Manual.'
Bear in mind that copying music is only practical over USB2.0 or Firewire (for the 1st to 4th generation iPods only - Firewire is not supported for the colour screen versions). If you have an old laptop, it might have USB1.1, at which point data transfer is painfully slow (I speak from experience, so trust me!). Of course, your desktop may very well have USB1.1, at which point you might not even notice...
Hope this helps you, and enjoy your iPod!
Rob Johnson

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