You can synchronize your music effortlessly, without having to tweak settings each time you transfer files between your iPod and your computer. Really. Simply add new music iTunes by downloading new music from the integrated iTunes Music Store or ripping a CD to MP3 or AAC.

Once you plug in your iPod, it automatically syncs with iTunes. You don’t even have to press a button. iTunes knows when you’ve plugged in your iPod to your computer. You can see at a glance what’s on your iPod in the iTunes window. If your iTunes library exceeds the iPod storage capacity, you can let iTunes fill your iPod for you. iTunes will create a playlist that fits your style - and your iPod capacity. iTunes also picks up any playlists you’ve made on your iPod so you can play or edit them on your PC. For finer control over your portable collection, you can turn off Auto-Sync and select your iPod contents manually.

iPod transfers an entire CD in as little as ten seconds. Of course, total time varies depending on how much music you want to add to your iPod. The USB 2.0 and FireWire (IEEE 1394) cables make it easy to connect your iPod to your Windows® PC. Your music collection will transfer from your PC to your iPod at lightning speeds and your iPod will charge at the same time. Cool.

The 40GB iPod includes the iPod Dock, an elegant, convenient home base for iPod on a desk or connected to a home stereo system.

Similar to autosyncing, Playlist Sync lets you select one or more playlists to remain in sync with your iPod (instead of synchronizing your entire music library). This comes in handy if you want the benefits of syncing, but have amassed a collection of songs that exceeds the space on your iPod and don’t want iTunes to choose for you.