whats the difference between managed devices and authorized computers
What is the difference between the 10 managed devices and 5 authorized machines? What cant I do on the Unauthorized device that is a managed device?
Mac mini, OS X Server
This is my understanding of it.
Authorisation only applies to computers, not devices (iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches) - it allows you to play/use your iTunes downloads on that computer e.g. playing music, films etc., and to sync that content to a device. Up to 5 computers can be authorised at a time.
Having a device associated (or managed) with your account, which can be up to 10 computers and devices (and as each associated computer must also be authorised to your account it means that at most 5 of the 10 can be computers) means that you've used iTunes Match, automatic downloads and/or re-downloaded past purchases on them. Once a device or computer is associated to an account it will be tied to that account for 90 days. You can still sync content to a device without it being on the associated list.
A managed computer must also be an authorised computer, so you can't have one that is unauthorised but associated.