NPR: Please Tell Me What iPod to Buy

Please Tell Me What iPod to Buy

I'm in the market for an iPod. My current iPod is a super-old 40GB woolly mammoth without the tusks. (It looks like this one.) As I see it, I have three options: The 80GB iPod Classic, the new 32GB iPod Touch, or neither. (If I go with neither, I'll wait for an iPod Touch with more memory.)

Here are my considerations. . . .

I don't care about the iPod Touch's wireless capabilities. I don't need that much connectivity in my life. But I do want to watch videos, and if I'm going to watch videos, the Touch's larger screen is clearly superior. Plus, it's the new breed of iPod so it will feel pretty new for a while, even after Steve Jobs releases a better one in a few months.

The thing is, my current iPod already has 32GB of music on it. A lot of it is excess, so I can pare it down, but even if I only put 20GB of music on the 32GB Touch, that doesn't leave much room for new music and videos. The 80GB Classic alleviates any concern over space. Plus there's a little part of me that thinks that I won't actually watch many videos on my iPod, and that doing so would further rot my brain anyway.

And of course, cost is a concern. The Classic is $249 compared to the $499 Touch. But why would you buy any tech product labeled "classic?" Isn't that just Apple's euphemism for "to be discontinued as soon as we get rid of them?"

BPP blog readers, I put myself at your mercy. Please tell me what to do.

Dan Pashman

7:22 AM ET | 02- 7-2008 | permalink

Comments

I found myself in much the same shopping position as you. Ultimately, I opted for the 80 GB iPod Classic for essentially the reasons you already listed. Even if it looks somewhat old and busted compared to the new hotness of the Touch, you'll never have to worry about storage space while loading all the music and video you want.

Sent by Ian Casselberry | 9:08 AM ET | 02-07-2008

I had that same old iPod until it died on me. It held a full charge for about 45 minutes and I had to restore the memory at least once a week. I opted for the iPod classic and I am satisfied with the video quality and storage capacity. I also got a discount from my local Apple store by recycling my old one.

Sent by Joe | 9:52 AM ET | 02-07-2008

Thanks guys. I think I'm leaning towards the 80 GB Classic. I figure that since it costs so much less than the Touch, I can justify replacing it sooner, like in two years when I'm ready for an iPhone. But I could still be swayed. Other thoughts out there?

Sent by Dan Pashman | 10:13 AM ET | 02-07-2008

I got the I-Touch last Fall specifically for its internet capability. I wasn't so much interested in browsing the web on a tiny screen but I really wanted to connect to audio files - and specifically NPR! - over the web. The idea of being able to listen to the "radio" via the internet while walking around the house or back yard, or when I am someplace where NPR isn't otherwise available was very attractive. I was extremely disappointed to find out the I-Touch internet program does not, repeat not, include an audio player for the internet, like RealMedia.

Sent by Peter | 10:32 AM ET | 02-07-2008

I too was at that decision around christmastime (i had a 2nd gen mini that died on me) and also chose the 80gig classic. the touch was appealing, but I don't watch much video and from reviews etc felt that the classic would be better in usability- the touch is a bit hard to maneuver in the car or while working out.

Sent by lori | 11:06 AM ET | 02-07-2008

This admittedly isn't helpful, it's just an observation: Despite the name of the iPod that's still available, yours is the true classic, Dan. The aesthetic is so Logan's Run.

Sent by Maura | 12:39 PM ET | 02-07-2008

All about the Classic here, although I sprung for the 160GB version when I upgraded, because the 80GB would only barely hold my iTunes library, much less the backlog of unheard BPP podcasts. One of the best upgrades I've ever made: it's just leaps and bounds better than my old 3rd gen iPod.

I can't foresee me ever buying an iPhone. I *have* a mobile already, and it's not a problem for me to carry two small electronic things instead of one slightly larger thing, especially since I rarely carry both at the same time.

Sent by Stewart | 2:13 PM ET | 02-07-2008

In the same boat. My 20GB classic just died. I didn't see a 32GB touch, which might be the solution for me (just a 16GB). Any pointers?

Sent by Kirstan | 2:18 PM ET | 02-07-2008

Until Apple introduced the 32GB touch, I was so going to get an 80 gig classic for my next iPod. (My current 30GB model is still working fine, touch wood.) But if the need for connectivity isn't high on your agenda, I'd go with the classic. The image quality on those is killer anyway.

Sent by Dave B.W. | 10:48 PM ET | 02-07-2008

Ask yourself if you will honestly watch videos. The answer is probably no unless you are constantly on an airplane or a (quiet) train. You say a lot of your 32 GB of music is excess anyway. So why not get a 8 GB nano?

I speak as an ex-offender: there is really no reason to carry your entire music collection around, aside from the obvious, "But I can!" It will make your life simpler, as you will only put on the nano what you actually want to listen to. And 8 G's is still quite a bit of tunage.

You'll save yourself at least $50, you'll have a MUCH more durable flash memory (compared to the classic's hard drive) and you won't as paranoid about the screen getting messed up as you would be with the Touch. And if you really want to watch video, you still can.

Plus, it makes you look like a giant when you hold it.

Sent by kerstin | 3:24 PM ET | 02-08-2008

You should go for the 80 GB iPod.

I'm running out of room on my 30 GB, so I'll most likely get one in the next year or so.

Sent by Luke | 6:36 PM ET | 02-08-2008

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