You will need to get a charger for it so that you can charge it via the mains instead of the computer all the time, other than that you wont need anything else.

The only other thing I bought was a pack of I-Pod socks this just protects the main unit from scratching.

Sounds like you are planning on getting the 4GB which holds a 1000, id say might as well spend the few extra bux and get the 6GB mini which holds 1500 songs,having said that ive only just managed to fill mine with 1100 so maybe a 1000 will be enough for you.

Everything you said in your post regarding how it works is correct, also as well as uploading your own CD,s you can buy from i-tunes or get tracks for free from file sharers.

Now,MB dont ask me how to do any of this coz I had my mate fill up my i-pod for me whilst I watched,so in theory I kinda know what to do,but in reality I couldnt be bothered to do it.

thanks Jett!! as a poor and struggling student i have to watch my pocket. i did look into the 1500 one, but i thought i don't HAVE 1500 favourite songs, so i can save myself 30 quid lol!! (not sure i even have 1000!) I know you didn't download the songs yourself, but did you have whole albums put on your ipod or indiviual songs from albums? if it was the second one, do you know if this takes longer than importing whole albums? I only want to put my very favourite songs on my ipod so probably won't be downloadingwhole albums, but i am thinking it takes longer to do indiviual songs.

Does anyone know if there is a way i can d/l the individual songs onto my laptop in one "folder" or whatever you call it, then just download that whole folder onto the ipod mini rather than d/l-ing the indiviual songs from my laptop to my mini (and why does that sound dirty!?)? Is it obvious that i am TOTALLY clueless!??! confused3

I have individual songs and whole albums, the downloading process is very quick,obviously doing individual songs takes a bit longer,think it took about 4 hours-with breaks-for me and my mate to fill mine up with bout 900 songs.

Obviously you dont have to fill it up all at once,since ive had mine ive maybe only listened to about 20 songs on it max.

As for the rest of your questions i,ll let someone else tackle that.

[size=4]Hello Cher!

The mini should come with everything you need right outta the box. The music is ripped from a CD with the included software, you can actually download it (the software with quicktime) prior to your purchase and begin converting your music to ACC files, this way you can simply upload them once the unit arrives. You have the mechanics correct as far as downloading goes. you may want a carrying caes if you do not carry a purse, the reason why the thing is so popular is because it comes with everything right outta the box.

Right out the Box! Everything you need is there.