Firewire or USB?

Firewire is faster at data transfer than USB. So yes I'd say it is worth it. Note those web links to the store are temporary. If possible, post only the model number of the store item, or the path of clicks you made to get to the item on the store.

What I've read, and have not confirmed is that USB 2 transfers data at only 150 Mbps which is just under 20 Megabytes per second. I've seen Firewire live up to its full 400 Mbps which is 80 Megabytes per second. Mind you, speeds may vary on file size and other devices sharing the same bus and sometimes existing system activity on the hard drive. Have you done data transfer speed measurements with the USB 2 cable?

In my opinion unless you are transferring large amounts of data/tunes on a regular basis it probably isn't worth the $30.

Courtnie,
It's not so much a difference in speed as a reliability issue. Numerous users have solved their connection issues/problems by using firewire. If you're having no problems with your iPod connecting to your computer, and you're not going to be regularly transferring a lot of files, I wouldn't do it. But if you ever experience connection problems, I'd go with firewire.

JC

Courtnie, there are circumstances under which FireWire is clearly superior to USB 2 but for iPod use, FireWire won't be that much faster for most of us. Unless you have several fast devices connected to a single USB port or intend to frequently transfer large files to the iPod, don't spend the money to get a FireWire cable.

BTW, I base this advice on real world experimentation. Members of our user group argued fiercely about this after Apple stopped shipping the iPod with a FireWire cable. So I went home and used my G5 desktop to sync my 4th generation iPod using both FireWire and USB 2. I performed a complete 10 gig replacement and then several updates involving several CDs being added and removed. Performing the 10 gig sync FireWire was about 2 minutes faster. Performing the small 200-300 mg updates the difference was basically unmeasurable.

Further testing showed that FireWire was generally faster performing sustained file transfers which would give it the edge with very large files. And given the difference between FireWire and USB specs, FireWire behaves more intelligently when several devices are connected to in one chain.

I would just like to note that technically USB 2.0 is FASTER than Firewire 400. USB 2.0 is rated at 480 Mbps where Firewire 400 is (as namesake) rated at 400 Mbps. The reason firewire is so much faster than USB is because USB relies on the processor so if anything else is being done it's speed suffers (and can suffer very badly). Where firewire is not reliant on the processor so it will actually consistantly transfer at 400 Mbps. IMO, if you have better things to do than watch your music transfer then the firewire cable is very much worth the measly $30. Yes, its quite a bit quicker...to give you an idea I can fill my shuffle (1GB) on USB in about the same amount of time I can fill my iPod mini (4GB)...very noticeable difference in speeds.