There is no doubt that the massive popularity of the iPod is driving Mac sales. A year ago, I never would have considered buying a Mac. Now that I've had an iPod for about a year, I'm thinking seriously about buying one. The iPod is far and away the most compelling consumer product I have ever purchased. My massive CD collection is now boxed up in storage and I haven't played or purchased a CD in eons.
I now carry the iPod around with thousands of songs and hundreds of those "podcasts" that are taking the world by storm.
I've been in the Consumer Electronics business for 23 years, first in retail and since 1990 in wholesale (including 14 years with Sony) as well as writing technical and product knowledge articles for 6 years for an industry rag, and I completely agree with you. It is simply a cool product and totally intuitive. I picked up a Nano 2 weeks ago and sold my Mini. Superior operational feel as well.
Apple hit it out of the park with iPod and the iTunes software makes aquiring music legally a snap.
"When all is said and done, the history books will record that the invention of the iPod singlehandedly saved Apple."
Before he was stabbed in the back by Turner's thugs,Steve Case predicted the coming of a "personal jukebox" over a dacade ago.
Apple was quite a healthy company at the time of the iPod's introduction. The iPod was icing on the cake, although admittedly a whole lot of icing.