IPOD or IPOD mini

[Reed Richards]

I'm seriously considering purchasing an IPOD, but i wanted to ask around before I did.

First-- which is better? the Mini (the totality of my mp3 collection is 1.14 gig right now) or the regular?

second, should i spend the top dollar for a generation 4 ipod, or go ahead and hunt down a cheaper Generation 3 (presumably, there were no minis then)

thanks for any helpful tips/advice!

[The Dork Knight]

I've got to go with the regular iPod. The regular iPod has a longer battery life than the Mini.

TDK

[MrBananagrabber]

I got the mini, since I have nowhere near enugh music to even fill half of it, and I don't predict ever getting enough to fill it. It may not be the best bang for my buck space wise, but I'm not going to spend another $50 for tons of space I'll never use. Plus, I like that it's lightweight.

If you know anyone who has an ipod and/or mini, see if you can get a hold of them and see which one you like more.

[Charlie]

I got a Mini for Christmas and its real good. However, for about $50 more you can get a 20 gig rather than a 4 gig. The size isn't much different, but it is noticable in your pocket. I like my Mini because its mini, and I'll never have enough songs to take up 20 gigs. I'd sugest the Mini because of its ease to use and I've never really had too much experiance with the regular iPod.

[Fresh V]

I think you should just get a Creative Zen Touch.

[Reed Richards]

I think you should just get a Creative Zen Touch.
please elaborate. is it better than the IPOD? im not opposed to buying another model, esp. if its better.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I'm rather fond of the full-size iPods, but only because my current iTunes library is getting close to 10GB and I still haven't even ripped even half my CDs yet. The 15GB model I've got is getting tight.

Major benefits to iPod vs. non-iPod: the Apple Music store only works with iPods, and at the moment it's the one where all the record companies (except maybe Sony) are going to go to get their goods in front of the public. If you're planning to buy music on-line, something must be said for market dominance. The iPod also has that classic Apple ease of use, often imitated but almost never duplicated. It's the kind of thing you won't realize until you're using one.

On the other hand, there are a bunch of non-iPod MP3 players which have more-or-less caught up with Apple in terms of usability and convenience. If most of your music is on CDs and you're planning to keep buying CDs to rip into MP3's, then the dominance of the Apple Music Store is largely negated. Finally, other MP3 players will be a whole lot easier to get your hands on these days. After the holiday rush, iPods are about as rare as long-tailed cats at rocking chair conventions.

iPod vs. iPod mini: I say go with the mini if you're more concerned with portability or you really want it in colors. If you're planning to work out with it, then the mini is a much better choice also. If you can spare the $50, I think the full sized iPod is a better deal.

Last note is not to buy an iPod until after MacWorld Expo in the first week of January. That's when Uncle Steve (Jobs) pulls out all the neat hardware, and the iPod is probably about due for a refresh. Like I said, you may not be able to get one easily before then anyway.

Full disclosure: I'm an Apple shareholder and own two iPods myself, so I am decidedly not the most unbiased source in the world. It's very much in my interests to convince you to buy an iPod :).

Hope this helps!

-- Ed/Ace

[Reed Richards]

im considering turning to EBAY to make a purchase. whats everyones opinion on that? im leery about not being able to return the merchandise, but obviously there are some deals to be had...

[Sampo]

iPod vs iPod mini. In my case, I went for the mini since I don't have that many songs. I got 1.25 GBs (18.4 hours worth) worth of songs, so getting a 20 Gig would be pointless since I would never fill that up. I love the portability. I have a case that attaches horizontally to my belt, so it doesn't dangle or get in my way. Also because of it's light wieght and size, I don't even notice that it's there. The only downside, IMO, is the battery. It feels like that the battery doesn't last that long. I still love my mini though.

im considering turning to EBAY to make a purchase. whats everyones opinion on that? im leery about not being able to return the merchandise, but obviously there are some deals to be had... I would say buy it from a nearby store and support your local business. As for eBay... I have never bought anything from eBay. But I gotta wonder how they can sell things so cheaply. I would rather buy something brand spanking new from the local Apple Store compared to buying something that is in "good" condition from some guy/mystery company via the internet.

[Jean_Grey]

I have the IPOD with 20 GB and there is no way anyone can use that much space so I think you should get the mini. I never bought anything off of ebay but I know you have to use paypal.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I have the IPOD with 20 GB and there is no way anyone can use that much space so I think you should get the mini. I never bought anything off of ebay but I know you have to use paypal.

Well, this article is from a guy who talks about 64GB of "Jazz and Blues" alone (http://www.macintouch.com/itunes23.html#dec22) as he gripes about iTunes losing music data. An earlier post in the same thread is from a guy talking about importing an 1,100 CD collection, cover art and all.

Add that with the "lossless compression" mechanism iTunes lets you use and the audiophile who claims they can actually tell the difference (most people can't) and that 20GB fills up right quick :).

I'd also steer clear of eBay. Electronics fraud happens with disturbing frequency on eBay, with really popular stuff like iPods tending to atract the most attention. You may think you're getting a deal, but paying $150 for a 20GB iPod that never shows up isn't much of a deal to me...

I am serious about waiting until after Macworld Expo, too. January 10-14, with a keynote on Jan 11. If Steve offers up new iPods, you can usually get the older models for cheaper, or you can pony up for whatever dazzlingly cool thing he happens to unveil.

-- Ed/Ace

[Reed Richards]

sounds like sage advice. i hear the new Ipod is the IPOD FLASH. the size of a milano cookie and designed to hang around your neck. 256, 512, 1gig in variable sizes, starting at $99.

Howdy,



Well, this article is from a guy who talks about 64GB of "Jazz and Blues" alone (http://www.macintouch.com/itunes23.html#dec22) as he gripes about iTunes losing music data. An earlier post in the same thread is from a guy talking about importing an 1,100 CD collection, cover art and all.

Add that with the "lossless compression" mechanism iTunes lets you use and the audiophile who claims they can actually tell the difference (most people can't) and that 20GB fills up right quick :).

I'd also steer clear of eBay. Electronics fraud happens with disturbing frequency on eBay, with really popular stuff like iPods tending to atract the most attention. You may think you're getting a deal, but paying $150 for a 20GB iPod that never shows up isn't much of a deal to me...

I am serious about waiting until after Macworld Expo, too. January 10-14, with a keynote on Jan 11. If Steve offers up new iPods, you can usually get the older models for cheaper, or you can pony up for whatever dazzlingly cool thing he happens to unveil.

-- Ed/Ace

[Fresh V]

please elaborate. is it better than the IPOD? im not opposed to buying another model, esp. if its better. My bro has a Zen Touch, and IMO, it's better than the IPOD. Not sure about you, but you can find info on it at creative.com and other sites.

[atf487]

iPod = standard features but kewl, so they can charge more for it.

If you want a really good mp3 player, get the 30 gig creative zen xtra for 225 ish or an iRiver for about the same as an iPod. The new zen models (touch and the mini knockoff) are great too.

[True Noir]

Isn't there something called the IRiver? It's an mp3 player I think. Anyone have any idea?

[OverdrivePrime]

I got a 20gig gen4 iPod back in November, and I absolutely love it. I got the stereo dock for it, and the FM transmitter for the car, and now good luck separating it from me.

I've only got about 4 or 5 gigs of songs (steadily increasing), but I love how I can use my iPod as a portable hard drive. A good friend uses his to listen to audio books, which tend to be prety huge.

I've got the little jogging band for my iPod, and it's already super small and light so I don't really see a need to get an iPod mini. I'd probably lose it or something.

[maximumzero]

Well, I was planning on picking up a 20GB model sometime in the future...but uh...my iTunes Library just passed the 20GB mark, so I guess the 40GB model it will be.

[Clayface]

I think Ace pretty much summed things up. It really depends on what you want to use it for. I went with the full 40 GB iPod, and love it. I use mine for the commute to and from work each day, and on the plane when I'm sent somewhere on a business trip. It also comes in handy when I make the long drive from Maryland back to Illinoisso much better than lugging around a wallet of CD's liked I used to do. I've ripped my entire CD collection to MP3 (finally!), and I've got about 23 GB used up (and that's using the "good" quality setting instead of the highest setting you can use when ripping). Now I'll be going through my g/f's CD collection next, and who knows how much more space I'll use up then. And of course, there are new releases in the future, so the 40GB was the only option for me.