Cutting from a post by my husband -
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15585478&postcount=26898
There are 3 types of iPods on the market.
They are known as: Video (aka iPod, iPod Video, 5G), Nano 2G, and the Shuffle 2G. A number followed by G stands for the generation. So 2G is Second Generation.
The Video comes in two flavors and two colors: 30GB (GB just like the size of a hard drive - because it is a hard drive), and 80GB. There was a 60GB version that the 80GB recently replaced, but it's been discontinued though you may still find some on the shelves. The two colors are Black and White (note back is metallic in both cases, front is the color). They are prone to scratches.
The 80GB will cost $349. It holds up to 20,000 songs, and plays video.
The 30GB will cost $249. It holds up to 7,500 songs, and plays video.
The new Nano comes in 3 flavors and 6 colors: 2GB (silver), 4GB (silver, green, blue, pink, red), 8GB (black, red). They have an aluminum case and are more scratch resistant than the Video as a result.
The 2GB will cost $149. It holds 500 songs.
The 4GB will cost $199. It holds 1000 songs.
The 8GB will cost $249. It holds 2000 songs.
Now at this point you will have noticed that the 8GB Nano is the same price as the 30GB Video, and you're probably saying why get the 8GB Nano at all ever.
Well there are a few reasons:
1)The Video can not use the Nike Plus Pedometer. If your use of the Nano is for walking this is a nice feature
2) Weight, the Video ways about 10 times what a Nano weighs.
3) Size, the Nano is about 25% of the size of the Video.
4) Color choices.
5) Durability and Resiliance (it is Flash Memory not a hard drive, and is made with an Aluminum case). Read as: Nanos are better for kids.
Finally there is the new 2G Shuffle.
This comes in one color: silver. It is 1GB and can therefore store about 250 songs. It also does not have a screen which makes it a little bit different in terms of control (see below). However it weighs only a few ounces, is the size of a matchbook, and has a built in clip (could be worn as a broach).
The Video and the Nano have an LCD screen, you can surf your music and choose what you play, where you start, etc. The shuffle lacks this. You can only listen wherever it picks up (depending on settings you can only make inside iTunes - the Nano and Video as I said can do this on their own), and you can only jump to the next or the previous song, you can't pick a start point.
The Shuffle is $79.
10 CDs is equivalent to about 100 songs. A Shuffle works and he has room to grow.
However 50 CDs is about 500 songs. That will fill a 2G Nano, so a 4G Nano would be the best choice as since it would carry your entire library and grow.
I've noticed they've been going down in price lately. You might want to check out Wal-Mart. I've seen them there pretty cheap.
