IPOD questions

[jlarlee]

I want to surprise my wife with an IPOD this Christmas. The thing is I know nothing about them. What is the price range they go for and is there anything I should look for when I buy one?

[zewone]

$270 and up depending on what size harddrive you want in it.

[alongx]

$300 for 20 gb, no extras
$400 for 40 gb, should include dock, case and headphones
I know at Sams Club you can get a 20 GB iPod + car charger + griffin iTrip FM transmitter (both go for like $40 each) for $320 + tax.

[Gameboy415]

Ugh, another soul lost to the void that is MAC.......

Hehe, sorry, I just can't stand Apple Products.

Good luck with the wife.

[javeryh]

Make sure you have a computer that runs Windows XP. It won't work with Windows 98.

[simplygriff]

1st check out apple.com That will give you more information than you really need. Then decide on how much you want to spend. Mini's go for around $250. Regular start around $300 and the new color photo ones start around $450 I think. Mine is a 15Gb 3rd generation and I've only used about a third of that space and I have around 1000 songs / 100 cd's on it. Just think about how much info/music you need to carry around with you. Also consider that you have to have a computer with usb2 or preferably firewire to update it. And it has to be updated thorugh itunes which it comes with. That should get you started. I really suggest checking out the site though.
-G

[jetsetradio21]

1st check out apple.com That will give you more information than you really need. Then decide on how much you want to spend. Mini's go for around $250. Regular start around $300 and the new color photo ones start around $450 I think. Mine is a 15Gb 3rd generation and I've only used about a third of that space and I have around 1000 songs / 100 cd's on it. Just think about how much info/music you need to carry around with you. Also consider that you have to have a computer with usb2 or preferably firewire to update it. And it has to be updated thorugh itunes which it comes with. That should get you started. I really suggest checking out the site though.
-G

In regards to apple.com, if you are a student make sure to check out the education section of the apple store; it can save ou at least $50 off an iPod

$300 for 20 gb, no extras
$400 for 40 gb, should include dock, case and headphones
My 40gb came with a dock, earbuds, usb and firewire cables. No case, would've been nice though

[beerguy961]

I gotta be a semi douche and recommend the superior iRiver. Similar price, but you get more with the iRiver and a better player. Except the earbuds they pack in suck...

[jlarlee]

I gotta be a semi douche and recommend the superior iRiver. Similar price, but you get more with the iRiver and a better player. Except the earbuds they pack in suck...

No other products are cool. I have just heard from people that the IPODs were the only MP3 players worth getting are there some cheaper brands that also have some quality as well

[simplygriff]

I will also state that I'm not completely satisfied with the ipod. I've had major issues when updating the software to the point that I had to send it in to have it repaired and went without for like a month. (OSX wouldn't mount it.)They seem to be kinda fragile. Granted it's like walking around with $300 in your pocket but They definately aren't perfect. Also my 15gb came with dock, earbuds, black case, firewire cable & AC adapter. This was about a year and a half ago.
-G

[FeldBum]

I gotta be a semi douche and recommend the superior iRiver. Similar price, but you get more with the iRiver and a better player. Except the earbuds they pack in suck...

I gotta be the full douche then. I don't want to turn this into a "mine is better," but the iRiver is a better product. The iPod, however, is simpler to use and is probably a better universal gift.

If the gift recepient is a techie or an audiophile (or subway commuter--2 line remote), there are many better options than the iPod and the iRiver is top of my list.

I like the Seinhaussers earphones - def. better than the Ipod ones at outside noise cancellation...

[Arakias]

A mini is $234.16 on amazon right now. i'm looking into one myself, i know that the apple site has free laser engraving and shipping if that catches your fancy. prob makes a better gift with engraving.

[doubledown]

Check Target.com also....they usually have 10% coupons every week for online.

[zewone]

Bloomingdales.com - iPod Mini for $215
Apple iPod Mini for $249, and 20% coupon code FF4PCB. Add around $16 for shipping.

[DCGCPlayer]

Check out Apple's discounts (state/fed govt employees get like a 20% discount). I believe this is only honored in person at the Apple Stores.

Items to also get - iTrip (tune in your iPod on your car radio!), a car lighter charger, Evo2 iSkin, AND Sony MDR-J10 h.Ear Headphones ($10 - and WORTH EVERY PENNY!)

You may want to get the 40BG. It comes with the dock (which costs about $40) so you get double the capacity for a little more money.

[beerguy961]

I gotta be a semi douche and recommend the superior iRiver. Similar price, but you get more with the iRiver and a better player. Except the earbuds they pack in suck...

No other products are cool. I have just heard from people that the IPODs were the only MP3 players worth getting are there some cheaper brands that also have some quality as well

Well, then iRiver is probably the best quality player. IPods are the slickest and easiest to use (so if you're lady is not a tech geek like my friends and I are, you should probably get it), but other than that, iRiver is better. Only complaints I ever hear about the iRiver is that their customer service sucks and the earbuds they pack in aren't very good (I haven't gotten one yet so I don't really know). Of course, people have complained that the iPod's battery breaks easily and has to be sent in to be replaced (and costs a lot to replace)...