Apple Lossless is not the same as AAC. Apple Lossless really is identical on playback and compresses files to somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 original size. AAC is an excellent variable bitrate compression algorithm that can compress files down to 10% (or less) of original size.
When choosing a format for our 1,500 CD's, this made Apple Lossless a pretty easy choice for us. My wife's 20GB iPod can hold 40-50 full albums at a time, which is just fine for her.
When choosing a format for our 1,500 CD's, this made Apple Lossless a pretty easy choice for us. My wife's 20GB iPod can hold 40-50 full albums at a time, which is just fine for her.