Anyone have an iPod?

[damo]

My son wants one for Christmas. It isn't cheap and I was wondering if it is worth it. Anyone with opinions?

 

[stinkerbelle]

Might I make a suggestion?

Try this one by Creative...I have it and love it.
Longer battery life (up to 24 hours! I've gotten 19ish I think), 20 gig hard drive, plays both mp3's and wma's, and only $225.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=55-102-204&depa=0

yes - iPod is the "common" name...but really, you're paying for the apple name IMO. There are MANY good substitutes out there! (that are more affordable, hold more, and have a better battery life)

 

[jeleebeene]

I never once regretted buying my iPod - a day does not go by that I don't use it. It is expensive, and there are so many accessories to go with it, but one of the best purchases I have ever made. I have the new 20GB, which is perfect for me, but I maybe could have gotten by with an iPod mini....

If he is old enough to enjoy it, I say go for it. If he is a music nut like I am, he will love it.

 

[DizGeek]

I cant give any opinions on other brands but the ipod is one of the best "toys" I own. I highly recommend it. The 20gb is $299. I have the older 15gb, which I paid $299. I have every CD I own stored in it plus others---2786 songs to date.

 

[crcormier]

I LOVE mine. I couldn't believe it when my parents got me one. (I had helped them pick out an iBook and so the salesguy offered them a deal on one.)

I've got a great little sleeve for it so I can strap it to my arm while I work out. They're sturdy and easy to use. I'm planning on burning all of my CDs onto my computer and it so I can sell them all to the used CD store.

 

[caitycaity]

i love my ipod! it is the best thing i ever got as a gift. i use it every day and i don't know what i would do without it. it is SO worth it - if you are a music fan like me.

 

[damo]

Anyone have problems with their battery? I had heard that it only lasts for 18 months and then you have to send it in to be replaced at a cost of about $100.00.

 

[jeleebeene]

I have only had my iPod for 3 1/2 months, so I can't comment on the battery. I didn't realize the battery went bad after a certain amount of time. I always charge mine and keep it charged and so far haven't had a problem. Interesting about the battery, though....

 

[caitycaity]

Anyone have problems with their battery? I had heard that it only lasts for 18 months and then you have to send it in to be replaced at a cost of about $100.00.

i've had mine for 12 months and it's still going strong. ipod batteries are similar to cell phone batteries. any lithium ion battery will eventually need to be replaced. it's under warranty for 1 year or you can buy an extended warranty. you can replace it yourself for about $50 or you can pay apple to replace it for $99. but this isn't just an ipod problem - anything that uses litium ion batteries will eventually need its battery replaced.

if you are concerned, you might want to read up about it here: http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

 

[ammdc7]

Originally posted by caitycaity
i've had mine for 12 months and it's still going strong. ipod batteries are similar to cell phone batteries. any lithium ion battery will eventually need to be replaced. it's under warranty for 1 year or you can buy an extended warranty. you can replace it yourself for about $50 or you can pay apple to replace it for $99. but this isn't just an ipod problem - anything that uses litium ion batteries will eventually need its battery replaced.

This is absolutely correct... except that by the time you need to replace the battery, it will probably only cost $20!! There where 2 brothers that got together, and for unknown reasons, they hated Apple This is where the battery life confusion began. I won't get into the politics of it, but I find it rather funny when people say that all your paying for is a name! It really couldn't be farther from the truth, most of what you pay for is quality, when Apple introduced the iPod mini, the solid state hard drive that was the heart of it... was actually selling for about $400. Apple was charging $250 for the whole player!!If you are still sticker shocked keep looking at the deals on Apple.com, they have been very good in the past, like $200 for a 20gb iPod I don't know of any player on the market that can beat that price per gigabyte

 

[mariamouse]

It is so worth it

I didn't realize how much I would love and use it until I actually bought it. It's amazing!

mariamouse

 

[KM2004]

Originally posted by damo
My son wants one for Christmas. It isn't cheap and I was wondering if it is worth it. Anyone with opinions?

I think if your son specifically wants an iPod, I think he may want it more for the name than for having the technology. I mean, it's an image thing nowadays...almost as though if you've got one, you're "cool" and "hip" (if those are the words these youngsters use nowadays )

You could save yourself money as someone posted here, but I have a feeling he won't be as happy.

Anyway, my opinion. I love my iPod and have had no problems with it so far.

 

[SueM in MN]

We don't have an iPod (yet), but I have used apple computers since home computers first came out. One of the things that comes with the ipod is iTunes music management software. It's actually included in the Apple operating system, so I have experience using iTunes. It's very easy and flexible to use (and is the best music management software). The other music players are all attempts at copying iTunes.
IMHO, if your son asked for an iPod, that's probably exactly what he wants. To some people "iPod" might be the common name, but if you ask teens they are likely to tell you that an iPod is one particular MP3 player. There are a lot of iPod ads and (as someone else said), they are the "cool" MP3 player.
So, I would not get him something else unless you know that he just wants a generic MP3 player.

PS. Apple is known for their quality products and customer service - one reason that most Apple customers stay Apple customers.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

There are also student discounts available. We're getting my DD one for her birthday and my husband is using the discount (she's a senior in high school, but half of her schedule is through a community college, not sure if there are high school discounts). This is directly through the Apple site.

T&B

 

[rbuzzotta]

We got our Dd one for her 13th birthday this summer. She absolutely loves it. We ordered her the pink one with her name engraved on it!! It took 6 weeks to get but worth the wait!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
There are also student discounts available. We're getting my DD one for her birthday and my husband is using the discount (she's a senior in high school, but half of her schedule is through a community college, not sure if there are high school discounts). This is directly through the Apple site.

T&B

There are K-12 discounts as well as educator discounts. I walked into an Apple retail store locally showed my work ID (I work at a middle school) and got a discount!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by Cindy B
There are K-12 discounts as well as educator discounts. I walked into an Apple retail store locally showed my work ID (I work at a middle school) and got a discount!

That's good to know!

T&B

 

[soccercruiser87]

i have a silver mini ipod which holds up to 1,000 songs and i love it...i always bring it with me...it cost me $250 for the ipod mini

 

[Viking]

We got two: My DW has a 20GB 4th Gen, and I got a 40GB 4th Gen. We love them. We mainly use them at the gym and I'm even considering to get a third one for the car, as I don't want plug one of the others in and out all the time.
They're not inexpensive, but worth the money.

 

[Muffy]

I just bought my DD a silver mini ipod for Christmas. I am now busy buying accessories for it. I'm finding out that people are very passionate about their ipods. More info at www.ipodlounge.com