3 ms·
When the iPod came out USB 2.0 had just been created. USB 2.0 wasn't in widespread use for at least a year or two after. USB 1.1 was 12mbits/s -- that is 1.5MB
by Eisenstein 4y ago
When the iPod came out USB 2.0 had just been created. USB 2.0 wasn't in widespread use for at least a year or two after.
USB 1.1 was 12mbits/s -- that is 1.5MB/s. Firewire was 400mbit/s.
Accounting only for bus speed, filling up a 5GB iPod would have taken 54mins[0] for USB 1.1 vs 1.6mins[1] for Firewire 400.
[0] 1000MiB/1024MB * 5000MB = 4,883MB / 1.5MB/s = 3255s
[1] 4,883MB / (400mbit/8) = 98s
- ProfessorLayton 4y agoIt's also worth pointing out that Firewire had the ability to charge and sync the iPod simultaneously. USB ports didn't output multiple amps like they do today, so not only did it take longer, but one would also end up with a warm iPod with even less battery life left after adding music via USB. Apple even made dual Firewire/USB cables to allow the (Firewire) charging brick to be used while syncing.