What's the big deal about iPods anyway?

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I'm in the market for a HD based MP3 player and I'm considering between three options:

40gig iPod
40gig Nomad
20gig Dell DJ

I have used an iPod before, and although it is pretty sweet there are some things I don't like about it. The battery life, battery replacement after 18 months (which would run you about $100 to get replaced from Apple), the sensory buttons, and the price.

Is an (40gig) iPod really worth $500? :?:
 
I have a first-gen iPod, which I got about a month after launch. That was 27 months or so ago, and the battery is as strong as ever. I have dropped it a few times, and it goes back and forth to the "big city" with me on the train every single day, jostling around in my pocket, unprotected. Not a hitch, not a skip, nothing. A few scratches are the worst of it. The thing is built like a tank.
That said, I can't speak for the revision iPods, which use a slightly smaller case. I think the 18-month battery life thing is a "general" guideline. I know some people have had bad luck - maybe I'm the exception, who knows.
Also, you can buy replacement batteries. For 1st gen models they run about $70, and for the current "slim" model they run about $50. Changing out the battery is well documented on the internet. Yes, this voids your warranty, but a warranty on a dead iPod doesn't do you any good.
Personally, I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'd go insane on my daily train ride without it.
 
Might I recommend a Rio Karma as another alternative. I'm pretty sure there's a 40 gig option and having both USB 2.0 and Ethernet connections makes it quite versatile.
 
Have u considered the IRiver 40 gig player. Its a bit more expensive but its arguably the best player on the market.

http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/iHP-140.asp

EDIT: Its a bit more expensive than Rio/Creative/Dell's offerings, but around the same price as the IPod with more functionality.

Also the Dell got HORRIBLE reviews, I think Tom's Hardware called it nothing more than a beta test for those who buy it.
 
Checking out these comments is like listening to a hyundai dealer explain why you should buy a Sonata instead of a Toyota. The price might be right, But you ain't gonna get the same looks from your friends when you pull up on the block!
 
Depends what kinda friends you have jetblac. Mine would ridicule me pulling out an IPod. And I wouldn't compare an Ipod with a Sonata or any Toyota... more like a Beetle or a Mini. Because most people that buy them are Mac zealots or just riding the fad. If I was going to drop $500 for a player it better have a radio, remote, voice recorder, plug and play hard drive functionality, ease of use and better have damn good sound reproduction. I just don't think Ipod cuts the mustard
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Personally, similar to magilacudy I am all about the features and performance of a product. I really don't want something that people seem to praise about because it looks so cute. Isn't that what people are always raving about when it comes to the iPod? Yeah, it's small and portable, but for $500 I would want other features and a longer battery life out of an iPod.
 
[quote name='Santorum X']I'm in the market for a HD based MP3 player and I'm considering between three options:

40gig iPod
40gig Nomad
20gig Dell DJ

I have used an iPod before, and although it is pretty sweet there are some things I don't like about it. The battery life, battery replacement after 18 months (which would run you about $100 to get replaced from Apple), the sensory buttons, and the price.

Is an (40gig) iPod really worth $500? :?:[/quote]


I bought the 40gig Nomad about a month ago and I love it!! You can find one for around $265.00 right now, sweet deal! I got mine for $249.99 at Best Buy when they were on sale, I also grabbed the 2-year warranty in case the hard drive poops out on me, lol.
 
Best Buy warrantys are your friend. They're only $40 for the IPOD (iirc) and last 3 years. Get that with your ipod if your concerned about the battery.

And the reason they sell so well is because they're very user friendly (although take a little patience for windows users in the beginning). I'm not saying the Dell and Nomad are horrible (I can vouch for the Nomad being pretty damn good), but your paying a little extra for superior design and functionality.
 
If you get the NY Times, check out the Feb 12 "Circuits" page in Technology, an article called STATE OF THE ART; For iPod, 6 Flavors of Flattery (can be found online at http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00716FF385E0C718DDDAB0894DC404482 but if you're not paying for the Times, you have to pay per article).

I'd post it myself, but I don't pay for the Times, so I can't access the page to cut-and-paste. I read this article back when it was available free online, and it's a great breakdown of the iPod and its major competitors, all of which have been mentioned here. Hell, maybe it's worth the $1.50 to buy the article, since it's a $400+ purchase.

Good luck, hope this helps
 
[quote name='magilacudy']Depends what kinda friends you have jetblac. Mine would ridicule me pulling out an IPod. And I wouldn't compare an Ipod with a Sonata or any Toyota... more like a Beetle or a Mini. Because most people that buy them are Mac zealots or just riding the fad. If I was going to drop $500 for a player it better have a radio, remote, voice recorder, plug and play hard drive functionality, ease of use and better have damn good sound reproduction. I just don't think Ipod cuts the mustard[/quote]

Damn! I got served!
I was just showing the lighter side of the force. They are over priced. then again so is everything Apple.
 
Comparing members of the iPod family, Stephen Williams writes in Newsday, “The difference in price is $50; the trade-off — sex and style and wow, for more data storage in the more expensive large ’Pod — is your choice to make. Of course, I’ll choose the Mini. For cachet, it’s without peer, the Louis Vuitton of portable audio. Sonically, it’s a match for anything else MP3-ish on the market.
AddictoMacAddict: tell them to suck that shit
 
[quote name='tyecko']Comparing members of the iPod family, Stephen Williams writes in Newsday, “The difference in price is $50; the trade-off — sex and style and wow, for more data storage in the more expensive large ’Pod — is your choice to make. Of course, I’ll choose the Mini. For cachet, it’s without peer, the Louis Vuitton of portable audio. Sonically, it’s a match for anything else MP3-ish on the market.
[/quote]

I can imagine someone saying that with a queer eye accent. I don't know but thats funny to me.
 
I second the opinion of the Rio Karma I've had it since before Xmas and it hasnt let me down YET. plus having the option to delet songs i get sick of while on the go is a nice option, 20 gig at about $250 right now I think.
 
if your a college student you should be able to get one cheaper, My school was selling a 20 GB model for $220. If I wasn't so broke I would have gotten it.
 
My friend bought an iPod and its very cool. The only MP3 players I've owned are the old Create Nomad II and Rio 500, both of which can't compare capacity/interface wise. My next player when I get some money will be the iPod. It costs more than the others, but I think the slick interface and ability to play songs from iTunes is well worth the price difference.
 
The majority of people who have iPods seem to have them just for fashion statements practically, at least from my experience. They have no clue about the other products in the market, and they got an iPod simply because it's "cool" or "cute". Ridiculous!
 
[quote name='peteyrose']The majority of people who have iPods seem to have them just for fashion statements practically, at least from my experience. They have no clue about the other products in the market, and they got an iPod simply because it's "cool" or "cute". Ridiculous![/quote]

Indeed iPods are the "cool" thing nowdays, but there's a few features that draw me:
-Ability to use iTunes
-Firewire connection
-iRiver has gimped mac compatibility (No Album, Artist, Genre, and Title searching; it just appears as a disk). I use both mac and PC.
-Rated the best MP3 player consistently from sites like Cnet
-For the long run, at least the iTunes battery is replaceable. iRiver's isn't.

I could save myself $50 and buy an iRiver, but I know I would always have second thoughts. Both players will play songs fine... however its kinda like a Rolex vs. Casio thing.
 
Personally I think the Apple Ipod has no competition. I've had mine for a couple months (August 2003) and it's the 30 gig version. The battery runs low sometimes but it's great. All of my music when I want it without changing cd's or anything. Plus I like the backlight, it's the best.
 
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