Looking For iPod Reviews and a Couple Questions

[scoutsmom99]

I'm thinking about purchasing an i pod (20 gig) and I'm sure this is gonna be a dumb question, but how does everyone like thier respective i pods? Also I'm curious about the following things:

1. What speakers would you reccomend for the ipod? I have seen the jbl creature speakers and the atlatic in-motion spearks (sp?) anyone have those?

2. Should I purchase the dock for the ipod or any other accessories for it?

3. Does it work with a USB connection?

4. What happens if it is dropped? (I'm not planning on dropping it, but accidents can happen).

5. Will it work with the MP3 files I already have?

6. ETA to add: Are they not making the 20gig version anymore? I just went to the website and they only had 30 and 60 listed. Should I get one of those instead are they the new ones that I have seen on TV?
Anyother hints/tips for an ipod newbie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Feralpeg]

I am also interested in the answers to the OP's questions. DD wants an Ipod for Christmas, but she doesn't want the Nano. She thinks it is to small and she is afraid she will lose it. I'm always leary of buying something that is not the most recent generation. I'm afraid of poor support, etc.

 

[PrincessCLM]

1. What speakers would you reccomend for the ipod? I have seen the jbl creature speakers and the atlatic in-motion spearks (sp?) anyone have those?
--Can't help there don't have any speakers

2. Should I purchase the dock for the ipod or any other accessories for it?
--I got the wall charger for trips and such when I'm not near my computer to charge it and a cover bc I have a tendency to drop things

3. Does it work with a USB connection?
--Yes it only works with a USB connection (I think)

4. What happens if it is dropped? (I'm not planning on dropping it, but accidents can happen).
--Read above... Yes I've dropped mine, it still works

5. Will it work with the MP3 files I already have?
--Yes, everything will convert to itunes

6. ETA to add: Are they not making the 20gig version anymore? I just went to the website and they only had 30 and 60 listed. Should I get one of those instead are they the new ones that I have seen on TV?
Anyother hints/tips for an ipod newbie would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
--Don't know if they've stopped making them or not. I got a mini.

 

[weaselboy]

wait and buy the one that will play videos and tv shows.

 

[mickeyfan2]

1. What speakers would you reccomend for the ipod? I have seen the jbl creature speakers and the atlatic in-motion spearks (sp?) anyone have those?

I have the JBL and love it.

2. Should I purchase the dock for the ipod or any other accessories for it?

Mine came with the dock. I would definitely get it. BTW I have the 40G.

3. Does it work with a USB connection?

Yes. Mine came with both the fire wire and USB cable.

4. What happens if it is dropped? (I'm not planning on dropping it, but accidents can happen).

No experience here. But I guess it could be damaged.

5. Will it work with the MP3 files I already have?

I believe there is a way to convert, but I used my CDs to fill mine.

6. ETA to add: Are they not making the 20gig version anymore? I just went to the website and they only had 30 and 60 listed. Should I get one of those instead are they the new ones that I have seen on TV?

I believe the 20G and 40G are the old models. The new one on the TV is the nano. I believe it comes in two models the 1000 song and 1500 song. The 40G does 10,000.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thanks for all of the replies

weaselboy,
When does the one that plays videos and tv shows come out? Is that the one I saw on the apple site that comes in either 30 or 60 GB?

 

[TinkerTracy]

1. What speakers would you reccomend for the ipod? I have seen the jbl creature speakers and the atlatic in-motion spearks (sp?) anyone have those?
-I don't use speakers

2. Should I purchase the dock for the ipod or any other accessories for it?
-Um the new ipods don't come with a wall outlet...so to charge it you have to leave your computer on all night so I suggest a wall outlet.

3. Does it work with a USB connection?
-Yes

4. What happens if it is dropped? (I'm not planning on dropping it, but accidents can happen).
-I dropped mine...it scratches very easily so get a case!

5. Will it work with the MP3 files I already have?

 

[scoutsmom99]

just a bump. Anyone know when those new video ipods are out and if they still sell the 20GB?
Thanks

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

1. I only use my headphones so I don't know but playing the iPod at full volume with the headphones makes it seem like I have speakers there.

2. Mine came with the dock and I actually don't use it. I did have to buy an adaptor for my iPod to hook it up to my PC. It did come with the power supply to plug it into the wall though so that was nice.

3. Mine did but it's USB2.

4. I actually dropped mine yesterday from my desk at work to the floor. It was fine. It's not the first time I dropped it. Just don't make it a habit.

5. Mine does.

I do love my 20 gig iPod. I've had it since April of '04 and it's a wonder.

 

[AZKathy]

Check out this: http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipod.html?cid=CDM2261A-1

I have a 4G mini. I have dropped it by accident when it slid out of my purse when I bent over. It stopped working, but I was able to get it going again with like rebooting it with the help of Ipod troubleshooting on line.

I also got an adaptor for my car that plugs into the cigarette lighter and you tune it to the FM radio and then another one for our home that I can use for our stereo system in the home for FM radio. The one for the home just did not work too well with the car antennae, and the one that plugs into the cigarette lighter recharges the battery while driving.

I would like the 30G photo one that is on the above web site; maybe I will get that for myself for Christmas and give my mini to my DD? HMMMM....

 

[Fantasmic303]

I can't help too much with the questions asked, but I can share an experience that may be helpful for Peg.

I got a 40G for Christmas and fell in love. It's so nice to have all music in one spot, and it's great, especially, for books on cd - I just load them on there and listen straight through, no switching out cds and whatnot.

As for service, I did drop mine ( ) at the gym once. I was on a machine and listening to it, and I forgot when I got up, and the thing just came with me and fell to the ground. I have a skin on it, so it was pretty much fine, but a couple weeks later, I started having some problems.

I got freaked out thinking it was cause of the fall, but, as it turns out, a lot of people were having problems with a new software version on the 40G. I took it in to the Apple Store after troubleshooting it online, and, basically, they said, "Ok, we'll just swap it out for a new one."

Just like that. Didn't cost me a penny, they just gave me a new one. It was under the year guarantee, but if it hadn't been, I would've bought Applecare insurance for $60 and gotten it swapped.

And, since that time, we've been very happy together. I wouldn't be leery about buying a previous generation - in fact, I'd be more suspect about the brand new ones (including video) because as cool as those features are, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of changes in the software, and possibly bugs in the first and second generations of those.

(With that being said, I would probably be considering the new video ipod if I hadn't gotten my 40G last year.)

 

[Feralpeg]

Okay, here is a probably a really dumb question. Does the Ipod Shuffle shuffle the songs all the time? Do you have control over what you want to listen to? DD and I went to the Apple store yesterday. I was all set to get her the Nano for Christmas and then she tells me she doesn't want a Nano because it is to small and she is afraid she will lose it. So, now I'm trying to decide on something else. We saw another one there, but it was almost $350. Obviously, I have no idea what I'm doing!

 

[sweet angel]

I ordered the nano, but now i'm thinking i should've gotten the larger ipod. i can't imagine needing more than 1000 songs at a time though, so it should be fine....plus, it's pretty. I should get it in a couple weeks.

My question: I have a bunch of stuff on RealPlayer, but can't figure out how (or if I can) import it to iTunes. Any ideas?

 

[floridafam]

I would buy the one that plays video. They are on their website now but I haven't checked availability.

Not sure what kind of speakers to get. My DH bought speakers for his Apple on their website and they are Logitech. I'm not sure what they make that works with the ipod.

If you have a child in school, I would buy off the website and use the educational discount. It's simple and saves you some money.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thanks for all of the added replies! I really appreciate them I think I'm going to head to apple store tomorrow and see if they have the new video ones in stock and check them out.

I talked to a few people at work who have them and they said you wouldn't think that you could fill up the larger ipods, but once they starting adding lots of cds and something called podcasts they wish they had more space. (most of them have the colored mini ones).

sweet angel someone at work told me today that you can drag and drop mp3s into itunes or that you can copy and paste them into itunes.

 

[sweet angel]

sweet angel someone at work told me today that you can drag and drop mp3s into itunes or that you can copy and paste them into itunes.

Thanks. I'll try it. I want to have everything set up, so when it finally gets here, I can load it and be off!

 

[scoutsmom99]

I hope it works for you! I was all concerned about all of the music I had on my winamp player and not being able to put that on the i pod becuase it was not on itunes!

 

[TxDisneyFan]

If you haven't looked at ilounge.com, it is a very comprehensive website devoted to all versions and generations of iPods. I highly recommend the site and they have a forum for devotees. They review new aftermarket items for the iPods and they have podcasts too. I used this site prior to buying my iPod mini. With the speed that these things coming out, it's good to have a site that keeps up.

Good luck. I think you'll enjoy whatever you get!!

 

[AZKathy]

I am not too computer literate, so I don't know how it did it, but as soon as I loaded the software for my Ipod, the software put all of my songs I had on my computer into ITunes automatically by itself. Hope that helps with the question about transferring the music.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am not too computer literate, so I don't know how it did it, but as soon as I loaded the software for my Ipod, the software put all of my songs I had on my computer into ITunes automatically by itself. Hope that helps with the question about transferring the music.

From what I understand, it looks for music files and copies them onto your itunes library.
I dropped my ipod mini in about March. It needed to be re-booted, but has worked fine since then.
Mine came with a firewire connection (all Apple computers have had firewire for a long time).
My youngest DD has Altec Lansing In Motion speakers - tiny, foldable and portable. They have good sound and are surprizingly loud for the size. If you do get speakers - look for ones that will charge the ipod while it's docked to the speakers. I know when we bought her speakers that not all did.