So it is a long thread title but here is what I currently have:

a MBP with iTunes content on it
a Mini
an external HD where I copied the iTunes content from the MBP and set up iTunes on the Mini with

So essentially I have 2 iTunes libraries which is fine but I was hoping that I could free space on my laptop by keeping all the data on the external drive and access it through 'mapping' the mini and external drive to the MBP.

My question is what is the safest and easiest process to do this? I imagine many have already performed this task... Any help is appreciated.

assuming you are networked between the two; Set the mini based iTunes to share it's library (iTunes Preferences under Sharing); Set your MBP iTunes to 'Look for shared library' under it's Sharing Preferences. You'll then see the mini-based library in your MBP iTunes for play (including playlists etc.);

Keep in mind you should then still backup your mini-based library somewhere (Time Machine or Backup)...

ken

But then do I need to sync my iPhone to the Mini? I was hoping not to have to do that... Yes I am being difficult.

yes - unfortunately you can only sync iPod/iPhone to one iTunes at a time and they won't sync to a shared library; If it helps, I think this will eventually change and it's simply a software upgrade; It's actually possible with some hacks that I wouldn't recommend - but AppleTV broke some new ground by providing a streaming outlet from an 'external' iTunes library without 'counting' for copyright limits (5 computers). This may portend to some future capabilities that will more easily accommodate;

In the meantime - it's not too bad to just sync up to the mini (main iTunes database); I do this now with a server based library...

ken

So it is a long thread title but here is what I currently have:

a MBP with iTunes content on it
a Mini
an external HD where I copied the iTunes content from the MBP and set up iTunes on the Mini with

So essentially I have 2 iTunes libraries which is fine but I was hoping that I could free space on my laptop by keeping all the data on the external drive and access it through 'mapping' the mini and external drive to the MBP.

My question is what is the safest and easiest process to do this? I imagine many have already performed this task... Any help is appreciated.



Ok, I have this same setup an here is what I do. Works perfectly.

First you need to get all the iTunes files on your MBP on to your External HD. That way all the files are located in one place.

Then you need to get the Mini iTunes to load these files, so when you open iTunes on your mini, they are in there.

Once you have all your files on the external HD, and the Mini iTunes Library seeing all of them you are ready for the next step. Very Simple.

On your Mini go to the Music folder, then navigate to the iTunes folder.

in this folder is your itunes library files. Create alias' of these files, then copy them the the same place on your MBP. (backup up the ones on your MBP first. you can do this by selecting them all then Archiving/Compressing them- which is found in the File menu, or by Right-clicking on the selected files.

After you do this, your MBP is essentially using the Mac Mini's iTunes library. It will take a little longer to load on the MBP, but not that bad.