Wtb --ipod?

[JohnnyFlame]

Christmas present time and as usual I'm on a tight budget. Got a couple of teenagers who have cheapo MP3 players that don't work worth a hoot or just don't work. Looking to upgrade.

Question 1 -- Is IPOD "the" answer? And as a sub question are there any deals out there on the bottom end of their offerings?

Question 2 -- If the answer to the IPOD question is no then what other brands are good and possibly on sale?

I am doing my research but CP is a wealth of info. I'm about to read the December ConsumerReports which just happens to be on electronics. From there I'm hoping I will get some info which lets me do less travelling all over the place hunting for a deal.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[Superflyer]

I got a Creative Zen last year for christmas and I love it. It has the same size screen as an Ipod, can play mp3 and video and has an FM tuner.
They run about 100 - 150 depending on size. I got the 8GB. It is durable and very small which is great.

The main reason that I got it is because I do not want to be like everyone else and be an Iperson and I am glad that I did because I have not had any problems at all with it.

[Tyler]

There's a reason Apple has sold 100M+ iPods.

They work great, sync with iTunes flawlessly and have a near-perfect UI.

Get an iPod - they won't be disappointed.

[MonsieurFish]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

Christmas present time and as usual I'm on a tight budget. Got a couple of teenagers who have cheapo MP3 players that don't work worth a hoot or just don't work. Looking to upgrade.

Question 1 -- Is IPOD "the" answer? And as a sub question are there any deals out there on the bottom end of their offerings?

Question 2 -- If the answer to the IPOD question is no then what other brands are good and possibly on sale?

I am doing my research but CP is a wealth of info. I'm about to read the December ConsumerReports which just happens to be on electronics. From there I'm hoping I will get some info which lets me do less travelling all over the place hunting for a deal.

Thanks in advance for any information.

I went through this whole debate not long ago but I say go for the Ipod. The only thing that turned me off maybe getting the ipod was the fact that people said they break. There is a very simple solution to that: buy from Costco. I bought a 5th gen ipod classic a couple years ago, and it broke about a year later, so I took it back to costco. At this point they didnt make the 5th gen ipod classics any more they only had 6th gens so they gave me my money back and I went and bought a 6th gen which turned out to be 20$ cheaper than what I paid for my 5th gen... so I upgraded my ipod and got 20$.

[Ro]

Costco's return policy changed in April- it's now 90 dayd in-store. After that it reverts to the manufacturer's policy (2 years if you get from Costco) which means you send it back to Apple and they send you a new one. As long as it's not damaged due to abuse.

Still a great return policy, but not like it once was.

And for the record, I've owned a handful of MP3 players, and the iPod kills them all. Functionality, "cool" factor, sound quality, it has it all. If you're thinking a small Nano, then you could probably save a few bucks by going with a more inexpensive brand and your kids wouldn't mind the difference too much, but anything bigger than that and I say go with Apple.

Re: the durability. Yeah, they do break. I've had to replace two big storage iPods in the past 3 or so years (but that could be because of the hard disk drive inside them rather than the flash drive used in the smaller ones- the HDs are more prone to damage). The solution is to get a good case, and have your kids use ALL THE TIME. My sister bought one of those hard plastic clear cases that is still pretty slimline and her iPod is mint, even after multiple drops/whacks/etc.

[Temporary_User]

Ipod is probably the way to go.
What about computers though, would each of these kids be able to load their own music onto their ipods? Can you sync more than one ipod up to a single computer?

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Ipod is probably the way to go.
What about computers though, would each of these kids be able to load their own music onto their ipods? Can you sync more than one ipod up to a single computer?

Yup. We have 2 iPods and one iPhone between my wife and I, we share the same music library.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

You can also get refurbished iPods on the apple.ca site same warranty etc.

[4X4]

I joined the ipod club just this past weekend. I love it. I've actually had the thing since last christmas but only started using it last weekend. It was really easy to set up though.

So far I'm totally impressed with how easy to use and the capacity (got an 80 gig)(I have 75 gigs of music). I'm going to buy a case for it tonight because I love this thing and it would suck if I broke it.

It's an ipod world. Go with the flow. Lots of my friends have those docking stations that you can just stick your ipod in to and play it like a stereo. I'm going to get one of those as well.

[Ro]

Originally Posted by 4X4

It's an ipod world. Go with the flow. Lots of my friends have those docking stations that you can just stick your ipod in to and play it like a stereo. I'm going to get one of those as well.

Another excellent point. Thousands of high quality iPod accessories out there, while with other MP3 players you might have to shop around a bit more to find something compatible.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Tyler

There's a reason Apple has sold 100M+ iPods.

They work great, sync with iTunes flawlessly and have a near-perfect UI.

Get an iPod - they won't be disappointed.

Agreed. Also, I would personally tell you to stay away from Creative Zen's. My friend went through 4 of them in 2 months.

I have always been an iPod man, I just don't see myself using anything other than one. The interface is so nice to use. (software)

[4X4]

My lifestyle is pretty random, so I often find myself in other peoples' vehicles and houses. Ipod stuff everywhere I look. Now that I'm using this thing, I can play that hilarious podcast for a friend whenever and wherever I want. I guess I'm older than the OP's kids, but I don't assume that it's a late 20s trend exclusively. I'm pretty sure that ipods are the benchmark for teens as well.

There are certain areas of life where conformity is a good thing, and I think ipod is one. It works. It works well. And I've decided to assume that this will be the last interface that I'll have to learn. Since ipod and itunes are so successful and so popular, I'm pretty sure that they'll only grow/shrink and refine. I hate learning completely different ways to do simple things, so this change is annoying, but I plug away thinking that I'll never have to do it again. Sorta like the switch to blackberry.

[Flames2007FIRE IT UP]

I got a sansa view and think its awesome. I have owned an iPod and they are great, but I got a machine with more memory, an FM radio with a recorder (an awesome feature), I think a better looking machine and it cost me less than the iPod.

Everyone copied the iPod user interface so that is less of a deal now. As for docking stations, I have an FM transmitter (some claim worse quality of sound but I can't really tell) and that seems to do everything a dock station does. Ipod was the original inovator but lots of other options exist, and at a much better price point.

[moeman]

I absolutely love the iPods....but I absolutely hate iTunes. Pain in the proverbial arse, if you ask me, especially with that damned Quicktime player it keeps pestering me about every time it updates itself.

Anybody else like the Zune? Good price, good storage depending on what you get, and no iTunes to screw around with. Wifi isn't as good, but as a video/audio player it is much easier to use and sounds fantastic.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

You can also get refurbished iPods on the apple.ca site same warranty etc.

Excellent information guys. I'm going to check Fozzie's idea along with looking at the other types mentioned.

I'm leaning towards the Ipod for sure. One of those docking stations would make a nice family gift. Now just to afford it -- bring on the sales or maybe the refurbished idea will be the way to go!!!!!!!!!

[Got Miikka?]

Another vote for the iPod over the alternatives.

I have had my iPod since 2004. It is a 20-gigger and has seen many tours of duty as well as an endless rotation of music (20 gigs ain't that big in the grand scheme of things); the old dame just won't quit (knock on wood - she's been getting a little schizo in her old age). I try to be careful and generally treat the thing like gold, but there is no way to avoid the law of averages - eventually you're going to accidentally drop it or kick it when you forget you left it on the floor by your bed, or something. In my experience the iPod holds up well and - as already evidenced - is the most ubiquitous choice. I'm all for product selection but the iPod is simply a cut above the competition. You really cannot do better.

This post not officially sponsored by Apple Inc.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I have 2 iPods and really like them. The only problem I run into is once in a blue moon when I disconnect my FM Transmitter from my iPod without turning my iPod off first, it will freeze up on me.

That's an easy fix of holding the menu (centre) and play (top) buttons together until the iPod turns itself off, then you see the Apple logo, then turn it back on and voila, away you go!

I bounced back and forth between iPod, or other brand. Some of the other brands are cheaper (in fact most if not all are), and some are rated highly, even better (I do believe the Creative Zen's get slightly better customer reviews). However the biggest thing to keep in mind is that if iPod has 80% of the market, they have 95% of the accessories.

Good luck finding an FM transmitter that will charge your mp3 player if you don't buy iPod.

Good luck getting a docking station if you don't buy iPod

Good luck getting a case if you don't buy iPod

Good luck getting a skin if you don't buy iPod

Good luck getting an armband if you don't buy iPod

Basically if you walk into any electronics store, look at the accessories available. Even with the new generation iPod nano's out on the market, you'll find more stuff for those than any of the Creative Zen's that have been out for a while now.

That said, good luck with your purchase mp3 players are a great gift idea.

[BuzzardsWife]

if you want cheap..the ipod shuffle is great for kids..and its 49 dollars

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I used to be an anti-iPod, because it seemed that some of the older generation iPods would fail if you simply blew on it and had crappy a battery, and would charge more than other MP3s only because of the Apple brand name.

But then a few months ago I bought a used Gen 3 Nano from a buddy along with the Nike+ used, and I love it! The gen 3 nanos have great batteries and seem sturdy as a tank. The UI really is easy too. AND I only had to pay a fraction of the price because it was a gen 3 AND because it was used, none of my money went to Apple, which gives me an unexplicable sense of happiness.

I will never pay full price for one, but damnit Apple iPods are cool!*

*My mind... is in eternal turmoil over this!!!

[Coelah]

iPods are great. I own 2 of them. But there are really good alternatives.

I also own a SanDisk Sansa. Really good player that has movie playing capability as well as other features like fm radio. One really good benefit is that files can be stored on a micro sd card and used in the player along with the hd. If you fill your player 's hd up yoou can just put a sd card in without having to delete files.

I have nothing but good things to say about the Sansa. But you can't really go wrong with an iPod either.