ipod

[Superunknown]

Ive been considering getting one of the third generation apple Ipods, but before spending so much money I'd like to hear what other people think about them. Does anyone here own an Ipod? if so what do you think of it?

[TheDeadTree]

Don't have one myself, but I'm (un)fortunate enough to be a technology salesman at a chain of electronics stores spread throughout America. Working said job, I've sold maybe 20-30 ipods of various sizes.

 

Recently, we just got the new 40 gig ipods in which are, surpsingly, rather impressive. Everytime I sell an ipod, or, a jump/flash USB drive I reflect back apon my old, dearly departed computers. I can remeber being thrilled with a 1 gigabyte computer back only five years ago. And now we have these inventions that can store impossibly large amounts of data, yet fit in your palm.

 

Aside from the obvious difference of 10 gigs between the old 30 gig pods, and the new 40 gig pods there aren't any changes in what comes with the gadgets, cables, case, etc, and the size difference is barely noticeable. However, at this point, I was expecting new features to be included. iPods aren't new inventions by any means, before the current line (10,15,30, and now 20,40 gig pods) Apple did have a line of iPods which had 5-10 gigs, if I remeber correctly, yet worked on Apple machines only. The newer series (which were released this past May) are both PC and Apple compatible. However, the iTunes store which is Apple's newest baby where the average Mac user can download songs off the internet for 99 cents each is ONLY available to Mac users at the moment. So the rest of you PC users are stuck stealing your songs offa Kazaa, and dealing with the RIIA.

 

So let's "classify" you, the customer. What DO you really need in your iPOD? Are you going to need 40 gigs of space that can house almost the entire recording history of Johnny Cash, or are you looking for something on the low end, a 10 gig to 15 gig for your Weezer collection. At your local retailer, baring some special promotion a 10 gig iPod will only have the pod itself, the software, and your cables. No carrying case, no dock, not extra cables for your car. Nadda, nothing, zip. The 15,20,30,40 models DO have some of these extra do-dads. At said local chain of stores, the 10 gig runs 299.99. Now yes, that's alot of money, but you need to remeber that is the LOWEST you can get one, barring some sale. At my store, apon the release of the 20, and the 40, we slashed the price of the 30 gig down 50 dollars to settle around at 449. Kinda expensive still, but, let's not forget our friend the 40 which is a cold 500. The higher models are going to have your added do-dads, and of course a larger storage capacity, but at a higher price.

 

One thing that none of the models carry with them, are AC adapters for your car, and my personal favorite, the FM tuner. Now Apple makes these, and Belkin, another company makes a version of the FM tuner as well. These are, by far, very nifty gadgets. Never again do you have to suffer through piss-poor music at a party. Just have your ipod, with the FM tuner equiped, and tell the guy to switch the radio to say, 99.1 exactly. Any radio on that station within 60 feet will pick up your pod-ly goodness. Basically it turns your iPod into your own personall radio station. My store, unfortunatly, does not carry these FM tuners. You have to get them elsewhere. I can't begin to tell you how many sales I have lost due to the fact people can't buy the iPod in one place, and then drive one(1) mile and get the tuner in another.

 

Now for my qualms. Sure, iPods are cool looking. They're sleek, 'in,' and make you look like your on the cutting edge, but damn are you screwed if you drop it hard enough. It IS, afterall, a fancy harddrive. Most stores sell a added replacement plan on everything, and an iPod is no differnt. At my store, it's a 2 year warranty at 79 dollars which basically means if you drop and break it, and it doesn't look like obvious physical neglect, you can bring it back in within your 2 year period, and we'll give you a brand new one. Typically it's a one shot deal, though. You break it once with the plan, you're covered. After that, we expect you to be a little more careful.

 

In closing, and yes, this was long, the iPods are pretty cool little devices. The other salesman and I used to joke that Apple was making their new products in white all the time now, because they were lacing everything with a thin layer of cocaine, which would explain why everyone loves them to the point of obsession.

 

 

P.S. No, I don't work for Apple. No, I didn't copy that off a website. Yes, if you need a new iPod, and/or a new digital camera, camcorder, or computer, I AM your man, if your within distance of my store. God knows I could use the comission.

[Superunknown]

wow thanks for the long post. I was aiming at getting either a 15 gig or 20 gig model, but I still have a few questions

 

- Does the 15 gig model come with the same accessories as the 20 and 40 gig ipods?

 

- Are the 15 gig and 20 gig ipods the same model? at the tech specs at the apple site it only shows the info for 10, 20 and 40 gig models

 

- How much are the 15 gig and 20 gig ipods?

[TheDeadTree]

The 20 gig ipod features iPod a:

 

Dock

Remote

Carrying case

Earbud headphones

AC adapter

Dock connector to FireWire cable

4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire adapter

 

Now the only thing I believe the 15 gig version lacks out of all this is the remote. Which, to it's credit is kind of handy. You can attatch it to your pod, then have it in your pocket and still use the ipod itself. Currently the 20 gig version is 399, while the 15 is 350.

 

Yes, the 15 and 20 are basically the same model. No real difference in the size or footprint of the model.

 

And, that's it.