I'd love to get my grubby little fingers on a iPod but there's no way I can afford one right now. I read on PC Mag's website that the iPod line of products provide 1/3 of the total revenue for Apple - wow - talk about a cash cow. They've hit a home run, very reminescent of Sony hitting that cash cow back in the 80's with their Walkman.
I've been wanting a portable player for a while. Started seriously thinking about the Nano after reading the initial reviews about its durability... Until all the reports started coming in about how easily the screen scratches.
Think I'll keep waiting a few more generations to see if something better comes along or they iron out all the serious problems.
#2. "RE: How many of you own an iPod?" In response to Wakko (Reply # 1)
>Think I'll keep waiting a few more generations to see if >something better comes along or they iron out all the serious >problems.
I'm not an engineer but I seriously doubt it will take that long before Apple redesigns something so simple as a screen. I suspect they'll either get a new vendor or coat it with a material so that it's less prone prone to scratches.
#5. "RE: How many of you own an iPod?" In response to JP (Reply # 3) Wed Sep-28-05 08:00 PM by MSU
I know what you mean about not wanting music everywhere you go. However I've been wanting to get an iPod because I have a ton of music that I've collected over the years that has been converted to MP3's on my computer. I've also started getting all my newer music from iTunes. I rarely have the opportunity to listen to music at home so I burn random tunes to CD and put them in my car CD changer. At this point in time I have 3357 songs, so if I got an iPod with a connection to my car stereo I could listen to them while in the car and I spend a lot of time in my car for work. Unlike Wako who was looking at an iPod Nano, which is either 2GB or 4GB, I'd need the full blown job with at least 20GB to hold all my stuff.
I don't own an iPod, but I've been looking into buying an inexpensive Flash-based MP3 player. So far I've narrowed it down to three possibilities (in no particular order):
1. Nspire MP3 Player - With FM Tuner 512MB http://www.shop4tech.com/item4341/r/303 $50 with a 10% off coupon I have, free shipping Pros: Looks to have everything I need Cons: Don't know anything about whether Nspire makes quality players or cheap junk.
2. SanDisk 512MB Blue MP3 - WMA/FM Radio/Voice Rec/Flash Drive - SDMX1-512-A18 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90141759&loc=0 $68.31 with a 10% off coupon I have, free shipping Pros: Has everything I need. Cons: Doesn't seem to have any except not being in a physical store so I can see it in person.
3. Siren 512 MB MP3 Player (Blue) http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=4127959 $68.44 Pros: In a physical store so I can see it in person. Cons: Not sure if it has everything I'm looking for. (Have to check it out in person first.)
Jason, I'm supposed to be getting a free iPod Shuffle soon. This past summer, my bank offered a free unit for any customer who signed up for a checking account through them. I submitted my rebate about 2 1/2 months ago - we'll see if it ever shows up. I'll let you know how I like it.
The main thing I don't like about the iPods are that you can't replace the batteries. We have a nice stockpile of rechargeables and I would only be using it about 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week. (20 minutes into work and 20 minutes back home.) I'd get over 4 weeks of use out of it on an 15 hour per battery life average.
I have two i-pods- the 20gb 4G and the 4gb Nano. Yes, my Nano screen does scratch easily- but no more easily than my 4G screen. It is easier to notice on the Nano because a.) the screen is smaller and b.) the display is color. I just bought pocket pc clear screen overlays, cut them down to Nano-size and applied to my screen. I kick myself in the ass for not doing this when it was brand-new.
I also have the car dock/FM transmitter and it is pretty convenient having 5,000 songs at my disposal.
The Nano is the coolest thing, though. I think the size/capacity/and color display will impress you as it did me. I've had other MP3 players in the past (Rio, Creative, Lyra) and none even come close to comparing with the i-pod.
You can change the batteries on iPods. A bit tricky, but certainly do-able.
I seem to be really lucky when it comes to batteries. I've had my iPod since 2002. I listen to it everyday. I am one of those people who like to have my music handy where ever I am. This week I've had it playing for about 5 hours and it still says I have 2 bars remaining.
I bought an Ericsson t68 when they came out. I have it as a back up phone and it still lasts for about a week before I need to charge it.
Have a coworker that has the Sandisk 512mb. He likes it, but was a tad disappointed in how it was advertised. It said something about supporting playlists; but when he got it, read the manual, it specifically states it does not support them. It was the main reason why he picked it over a similiar iRiver player, and to find out it didn't support playlists, kinda pissed him off.
#12. "RE: How many of you own an iPod?" In response to ablib (Reply # 11)
I just did some looking around on the iPod site and found that the batteries are indeed not user serviceable. I guess if a person is determined enough and knowlegeable enough it could be done though. What Apple does about the battery is if it fails in the first year (which is the normal warranty period) they replace the iPod. After the warranty it will cost you $59 + shipping to get a replacement. They offer an extended warranty that gives you two years instead of one, but guess how much that is...$59, the same as getting the replacement out of warranty.
For those of you who are worried about the battery aspect, it seems that you can replace it on your own if you have some initiative and a little skill w/ your hands. Doesn't require much though. Back in August I read an issue in PC Magazine article that showed step by step instructions on how to replace it on your own. Tonight I found some websites where you can buy battery replacements.
