Choosing an iPod

There's nothing else like it. The Apple iPod™ is blazing a trail through the world of MP3 players, setting a new standard for ease of use and elegant styling. The player is so popular, Apple has released several versions, varying in capacity, size, color, and function. Which just makes your job — picking one — that much more fun. So, how do you decide which iPod is right for you?

Don't worry — we're here to help! First, check out the tables below to get a quick look at the major features of each type of iPod.

The very latest iPods

Older iPods still in circulation

These are iPods that are very much still in circulation and vaialble from many stores. It will take a while before this stock is "flushed" from the system and these iPods can be got for affordable prices from many shops. In many instances people prefer the "classic" products to the new ones as they have accessory compatibility that far exceeds the new products. Somestimes these become highly sought after items.

	"Classic" iPod	iPod mini*	iPod nano	iPod shuffle
Music Storage (128 kbps)	30GB — 500 hours music 60GB — 1,000 hours music	4GB — 66 hours music 6GB — 99 hours music	1GB — 15 hours music 2GB — 33 hours music 4GB — 66 hours music	512MB — 8 hours music 1GB — 16 hours music
Type of Memory	Hard drive	Hard drive	Embedded flash memory	Embedded flash memory
Colors	White, Black	Blue, pink, green, silver	White, Black	White
Photo Storage	30GB iPod Photo — 25,000 photos 60GB iPod photo — 25,000 photos	N/A	1GB — 15,000 photos 4GB and 2GB — 25,000 photos	N/A
Video Storage	30GB iPod Photo — 75 hours video 60GB iPod photo — 150 hours video	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dock Connector	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Weight	30GB — 4.8 oz 60GB — 5.9 oz	3.6 oz	1.5 oz	0.8 oz

*iPod mini production has been discontinued as of September 7, 2005.

Useage considerations

Now, consider how you plan to listen. Will you be taking your iPod jogging, or mostly listening around the house? Want a distinctive style your friends will notice? Which features will you need in order to listen the way you want to? We've picked out the features people most commonly look for and listed them below, with iPod recommendations. Which statement best describes you?

I want to carry as much music as possible.

Depending on the model, between 8 and 1,000 hours of music (that's about 120 to 15,000 songs) at near-CD quality (128 kbps; for more on audio bitrates, see our MP3 bitrate chart).

The number of megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB) an iPod has tells you how much storage it offers. If you really want to load up on tunes, look for the iPod models boasting 30 to 60 GB. They'll let you carry around 500 and 1,000 hours of music respectively!

I want an iPod that looks cool and distinctive.

When you hear the word "iPod," do you picture the "classic" white player — rectangular with gently curved edges, a large round Click Wheel, and big, bright LCD? If so, you're not alone; its easily recognizable design has become the iPod's signature.

But what if that's just not your style? iPods and iPod Nanos now come in black; the iPod nano is as thin as a #2 pencil; and the iPod shuffle is an even smaller, lower-capacity version that eschews an LCD screen in favor of compactness. Both the iPod nano and the shuffle use flash memory instead of a hard drive to store songs and, in the case of the nano, photos too.

I need the smallest iPod available, so it doesn't get in my way.

No iPod could really be considered bulky or awkward — the "heaviest" model weighs just 5.9 ounces — but if you're going to be moving around a lot while you listen, you may want a player that's compact and lightweight, even by iPod standards. The iPod nano certainly fits the bill, weighing in at a mere 1.5 ounces, and sized small enough to fit into the coin pocket on a pair of jeans. But if you really want the smallest iPod out there, get an iPod shuffle. Both models (there's a 512MB version and a 1GB version) weigh less than an ounce and are smaller than a pack of gum.

I'm tough on an MP3 player! I need the most rugged iPod I can find.

If you'll be jogging or hiking with your iPod — or if you have a tendency to drop things — worries about scuffing that pristine white case could be well-founded. Consider a separate case, for maximum protection.

If, on the other hand, you plan to move around a lot while you listen, but you're not worried about dropping or scuffing your iPod, both the iPod nano and the shuffle use flash memory, which is totally skip-free. While the other iPods have 25-minute skip protection that make them nearly immune to skipping, the iPod nano and shuffle will never skip. Even an hour-long run is no problem for these little guys!

I want to view photos on my iPod.

The 30GB and 60 GB iPods and both iPod nanos (4GB and 2GB) come equipped with a color LCD and can hold up to 25,000 photos (the 20GB iPod Photo holds up to 20,000 photos). Included iTunes® software lets you manage and transfer photos to the player, and even organize slideshows. Let friends see your photos on the player's LCD, or use its supplied cable to connect it to a TV for viewing.

I want to watch videos on my iPod.

With support for up to 150 hours of video and a 2.5-inch color display, the "Classic" iPod will play music videos, TV shows, and theatrical trailers downloaded from the iTunes Music Store.

I don't have much money to spend on an iPod.

While a "classic" 30GB iPod runs about R2900, and the iPod nano costs around R2100-2300, the iPod shuffle starts at just R650. By comparison, some other flash memory players costing just as much provide only a quarter of the memory.

Note : content derived from The Crutchfield Advisor