IPOD touch vs. shuffle

[sdjen]

Hoping someone will have some help for me. I am trying to decide which would be better for a Christmas gift for my almost 7 year old dd.

She really likes to listen to music (and takes my phone to do so). I am trying to decide if I should just get a IPOD shuffle or spend more money and get the IPOD touch.

I know with the touch she would like the games and other features. But, it is quite expensive for a 7 year old.

Does anyone with a touch feel like they are pretty sturdy? Do you think a 7 year old would be okay with one and it wouldnt break right away? She is fairly good at taking care of her things but I just don't want to get something that will not last for awhile.

Thanks!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I would recommend getting the ipod touch for your daughter. Just make sure to get a good case that will protect the touch when it falls (and it probably will at some point in time). I also recommend putting a tracker app on it so she can locate it when it gets misplaced. My kids (8,10 and 11) have had their touches for two years and they all are still going strong. DS has a slightly cracked screen on one corner, but it is still usable.

I think for Christmas we are going to get my youngest two kids ipad minis (if I can find them). Again, we have learned from experience with dh's ipad that a good case is essential!!

 

[Mariep26]

I would get the Touch with a good case (Otterbox for example). My 3 and 4 year old each have a Touch with the Otterbox and we have had no issues with breakage. My kids love the apps available on the Touch and they use it all the time in addition to listening to music.

 

[disneychrista]

One thing to keep in mind with the shuffle, you can not pick which song it plays. It just shuffles through your loaded songs.

 

[kkandaj]

I would get her the Touch. We don't usually buy our kids electronics, so when DD (6.5) was rewarded with a $100 gc from summer school, she decided she wanted a Touch. DH and I added the other roughly $100 to it...and it has been great for all of us! There are tons of math, reading, puzzle, word apps. She uses the Kindle app to read kids books on it. And of course, she has lots of music on it. She loves taking pictures and videos with her brother--and we let her facetime with her friend. (The other mom and I are bff's, so I know who she is facetiming with. This would not happen with just anyone.) She also skypes (using the skype app) with her cousins. I don't think we have paid for one single app or song for her. We have transferred all of her cd's to the computer, then added them to her ipod. Btw, this is the only apple product we own.

We have strict rules around it's use. There is a drawer in our kitchen where it stays when it's not in use--and she has to ask to play with it. The headphones, charger and ipod all stay in the drawer. She is never allowed to play with it when she's eating or take it outside. If she doesn't put it back after she's done, it gets put away and she can't use it for a couple of days. Am I too strict? When we ride in the car (for long trips), we use an input to the car speakers so she can play the music. She LOVES being in control of this. I have an old wristlet that it fits in (with charger/headphones), so thats how she travels with it.

DH and I both feel like it is a privilege for her to have such an expensive "toy" and if she can't take care of it, she doesn't need it. Though she isn't as responsible with some of her other toys, she has been extremely responsible with this--maybe because we have stressed so much to her how lucky she is to have one. (Again--DH and I are not big on young kids having every new gadget--since he and I don't even have every new gadget.)

I bought an Otterbox Commuter case for it through amazon for $22. I have seen the same case in Walmart and Target for $35. She has never dropped it but feel like this case would definitely protect it. DS is already planning on spending his $100 giftcard that he will get from summer school next year on a Touch.

 

[LJSquishy]

I really think the Shuffle is a waste of money. They are very inexpensive, though. If she only wants something to play music, I would get her a Nano...but if she would really enjoy being able to use apps and such, I'd go with the Touch.

I would opt for the Touch and get a high quality case for it like the others suggested. You can purchase a SquareTrade or Apple Care warranty for it also if you worry she may accidentally damage it. They are just so much more versatile and she can use it for pretty much anything, including using it as a camera/record video, surfing the web, play games, etc. It just makes more sense to me. If you ever travel with her, it would be nice for long car or airplane rides.

 

[Pigeon]

I got my then 8 year old an iTouch. I would not do it if I had the choice again. Those things are like crack. I didn't realize that I'd be fighting the same battle with it that I have with my teenager and her phone. Put the stupid thing down and experience real life.

 

[jgreco]

Ipod Touch. It's great for just about everything (games, camera, music). Has been a Godsend on trips for entertainment and "documenting" his adventures. He even told me he wanted to sell his DS to earn money to buy apps.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I completely agree that the shuffle is a wate of money. Get the iPod Touch.

 

[Trek Girl]

The shuffle is good if you're going for a run or working out at the gym, but given your daughter's age, I'm guessing she's not going to be using it for that at this point. I would go with the Touch, especially when you consider that there are also plenty of educational apps she could use it for in addition to all the other non-educational fun stuff.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Hey! Don't knock the Ipod Shuffle!!




I love mine! Of course, I am in my mid-30's and don't use it very often. But I keep up-to-date on the music on mine (add and take songs off my playlist) and have had it for years (it is 2nd generation).

For just music, Ipod Shuffle! For all of the aps, internet access, etc. Ipod Touch. DS (15) has one and is lost without it.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

Hoping someone will have some help for me. I am trying to decide which would be better for a Christmas gift for my almost 7 year old dd.

She really likes to listen to music (and takes my phone to do so). I am trying to decide if I should just get a IPOD shuffle or spend more money and get the IPOD touch.

I know with the touch she would like the games and other features. But, it is quite expensive for a 7 year old.

Does anyone with a touch feel like they are pretty sturdy? Do you think a 7 year old would be okay with one and it wouldnt break right away? She is fairly good at taking care of her things but I just don't want to get something that will not last for awhile.

Thanks!

The iPod touch would probably be better if she likes to do other things on your phone besides listen to music. Games, videos, talking with friends...I think a seven year old would enjoy that more. The 16GB (fourth generation) starts at $199, and the 32GB at $249. The newest one, fifth generation, starts at $299 for 32GB, and it comes in black, white, blue, yellow, and pink. But, there really aren't that many good cases for them yet.

Most definitely get a case! I didn't realize how many butterfingers I had until I bought my iPod. I just got a regular Belkin Grip Groove case from Amazon that works wonders. I only have a little slit on the side of the iPod from one drop too many (over 10 and against walls, hard floors, carpet). If she really needs a "sturdy" case, go with the Otterbox Commuter or Defender. I would've got those, but they were over $15 more.

 

[ekatiel]

Our boys (ages 6 and 8) have iTouches with Otterbox Defender cases . They are great. The boys love playing games, using the video camera, facetiming their grandparents, etc. Yes, they are addicting. We limit their time significantly, and if we ever get any lip about putting it away, then they lose it for a few days . We also use it for educational purposes-- they love the Math Ninja App, and we have an app where I can input spelling words each week (you type in the word and then say it)-- then the app gives DS8 spelling tests. Anyhow, definitely a good buy.

 

[princesspwrhr]

2 years ago when my girls were 6 they both got shuffles for Christmas. (2nd gen) and they've been great. They love them and they can choose which songs, but it's a pain because they can't see the name of the song or which one is next etc.

This year for Christmas, they'll both be 8 (one just turned 8 and one almost 9) and they are getting 4th gen iTouch with Lifeproof cases. They play with my iPhone, their sisters iPhone and their dad's iPhone ALL the time. My 14 yo drops her iPhone more often than my younger two combined! They love listening to music (currently have their own playlist on my iPhone) and use my and my husbands old nano's (not the square ones, a gen older) to listen to audiobooks at night. So I know the iTouch will be great for them.

I think the shuffle has it's uses, but it's limited and the small things the nano really has over the shuffle is not worth the difference. The iTouch would be great for that age. And you can get the 4th generation for that age group and not worry that it's not the latest and greatest 5th gen model while saving a small amount of cash. We considered the 5th gen, but since they changed all the connectors on the 5th gens we'd have to get all new cables for the cars and for a spare. blah

 

[englishteacha]

If you decide to go with the iPod Touch, get a good case. Lots of my students (middle schoolers) have iPod Touches, and many of them have broken screens. The silliest thing I heard was, "Well, I got the iPod for Christmas, but the case was too expensive." Seriously? You're giving a child an expensive gadget, but the $30 for a good case is too much?

 

[bigbabyblues]

IPod Touch. The new ones will be available for sale very soon (assuming, because you can preorder them now), so maybe you could fund a better price on the current version, if she would not mind that.

 

[sdjen]

OP here.

Thanks everyone for your input. I know she will love the apps, camera etc... on the touch (she plays my kindle fire a lot too) so I guess I will spend the extra for that. Plus it makes it easy for others to get her Itunes gift cards!

I will also make sure to get a good case for it - thanks! Great to have opinions of those of you that have them already.

I am thinking that a 16GB will be plenty big enough for music and apps, right??

Off to check them out today

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I love Apple products, but I really do not like the iPod shuffle. I got one for free as a promo...it was about worth what I paid for it. I gave it to somebody. The lack of a screen is such a dealbreaker.

iPod Touch would be the way to go, although it does cost a lot more.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

OP here.

Thanks everyone for your input. I know she will love the apps, camera etc... on the touch (she plays my kindle fire a lot too) so I guess I will spend the extra for that. Plus it makes it easy for others to get her Itunes gift cards!

I will also make sure to get a good case for it - thanks! Great to have opinions of those of you that have them already.

I am thinking that a 16GB will be plenty big enough for music and apps, right??

Off to check them out today

You actually get around 14 GB because the installed software (iOS) takes some space. If she isn't taking or downloading a whole bunch of videos, and her games aren't huge (almost a GB), then she should be fine.

It's really easy to switch things out, so if it ever gets too full, that's what you do. 16 GB is perfect for a little kid, so go for it!