backing up ipods

[heey]

i've noticed this before and i am noticing it again now, and it is really pissing me off... i received a free touch with the purchase of a macbook, but i don't use it for music, since i have an older, bigger ipod. i mainly just use it to surf the web at hot spots, basically. because of this, i have rarely hooked it up to my computers. however, when i have done this, and some task takes place such as the download of the newest OS update, itunes automatically backs up my ipod. problem is, it takes like FORTY-FIVE MINUTES!!!!! there is, possibly, like half a gig worth of data on my ipod. i am just sitting here thinking.... what... , could POSSIBLY cause this to take so long. it's extremely annoying. anyone have a clue as to why this could possibly need to take so long?