iPod snag for buyers

Apple's best-selling iPod, which can store up to 10,000 songs, has hit a low note with some enthusiasts.

The player, which weighs less than two CDs, topped Christmas wish-lists. But those who bought without reading the small print have discovered a snag.

Third-generation iPods, which came out in April, are compatible only with the Apple Mac OS X operating system or above and Windows 2000 or later.

Having paid up to £400 for an iPod, those with older Macs or PCs face forking out up to £99 for an upgrade.

Apple is already facing a class action lawsuit in the US over allegations of a short battery life for iPods, which lawyers say the firm failed to disclose.

The software requirement is mentioned on Apple's website and on the iPod box. But computer expert Spencer Reeves said: 'When it reads "Mac compatible", you think it is compatible with all Macs. But it's not.' Mr Reeves, 34, of Sittingbourne, Kent, added: 'Maybe Apple should say that in big type, not just in the small print.'

Apple said it had not received any major complaints so far about iPod's system requirements.

A spokesman said Mac OS X had more than 150 additional features to its predecessor, some of which iPod needs.

He added Mac OS X has more than 10million users worldwide, against 440,000 still using older versions.

More than 733,000 iPods were bought in the run-up to Christmas.