30GB IPod vs 8GB IPod Nano

[Saritha Penumudi]

I am doing IPOD shopping and I am confused...
IPod 30GB is around 240$ and so the 8GB IPod Nano.

What is difference between Nano and regular IPod other than size and weight?..

If given a choice will you buy IPod 30GB which has more features than 8GB Nano or go for Nano. If Nano, why???

Confused..... Can anyone help me and point out pros and cons...

Also, I heard that new product called GPod will be comming soon.. Not sure what it is?

Thank you..

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Saritha ventrapragada:
If given a choice will you buy IPod 30GB which has more features than 8GB Nano or go for Nano. If Nano, why???

Neither! Sorry to burst your bubble, but IMHO the whole iPod thing is just so.. over the top! If given a choice I would buy a PSP or a DS Lite, or nano clone with FM radio (which probably isn't important to you based on which part of the planet you are on).

[marc weber]

For most users, the larger-screened 30 or 80 GB iPod's are attractive for their video capabilities. A secondary consideration might be using the iPod as a storage device (a detachable hard drive). But if you don't need these features, then the tiny nano gets points for being smaller and lighter.

As for the rumored "gPod" (for gaming?), see item 7 under Ten Rules for Buying Apple Products. Having said that, a large-screen horizontal iPod for video has been rumored for a while, so if you are considering video...

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Ashok Mash:
...Sorry to burst your bubble, but IMHO the whole iPod thing is just so.. over the top! If given a choice I would buy a PSP or a DS Lite, or nano clone with FM radio...

Well, the PSP and DS are entirely different products, so I don't see the comparison. A color-screen nano starts at just $149. Is that over the top?

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by marc weber:

Well, the PSP and DS are entirely different products, so I don't see the comparison. A color-screen nano starts at just $149. Is that over the top?

I didn't mean 'over the top' as in very expensive. I was refering to the whole "ipod thing", the brand, the accessories, the fetish, the clich� or the fad, if I may call it that.

I guess my feelings are similar to how a self-respecting geek would feel about Windows 98 or XP, inferior product, market monopoly, killing off the competition, dumbing down things etc�

While I agree iPod is a lot more than just the marketing, appealing, trendy, fashionable design, excellent software and clever up-selling, I still think the whole brand image has reached a level where other decent products are finding it hard to survive the competition, basis of my rant.

PSP and DS Lite is of course entirely different product, and in my personal opinion much more feature-rich, if the buyer is willing to compromise some other aspects. But then its to individual�s own taste and needs, so I can�t comment on them!

Anyway, did you get one yet Saritha?

[Paul Sturrock]

I'm not a huge fan of iPods either. Don't get me wrong, they are fine products, but why buy one when a simmilar product from Creative does the same (or more), and usually costs less?

[Mark Spritzler]

Originally posted by Paul Sturrock:
I'm not a huge fan of iPods either. Don't get me wrong, they are fine products, but why buy one when a simmilar product from Creative does the same (or more), and usually costs less?

Which specific product do you have in mind?

PSP and DS Lite is of course entirely different product, and in my personal opinion much more feature-rich, if the buyer is willing to compromise some other aspects.

Which are the features you get on these over IPod, and what are they compromising?


I ask both questions, because I have been thinking of getting an IPod, but I am willing to look at other options.

Mark

[Sharmi Ragoth]

I have a iRiver and a Sansa player from Sandisk.
The iRiver is much more cheaper, its got neat features. Its got a line-in feature allowing me to record from any audio source.

[Gregg Bolinger]

I have this and am very happy with it. It's got a hard drive so you can't go jogging with it, but it still can take a good jaring. I've dedicated 4 GB of the space for data storage so I can plug it into any USB port and have a flash drive.

The only thing I don't care for is the startup time. IPods just turn on and go. This takes a good minute to get going from full shutdown.

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:
Which are the features you get on these over IPod, and what are they compromising?
...
Mark

PSP and DSLite are primarily game consoles, with additional media player functionality. If you are a gamer, there is plenty going for both DSLite and PSP, DSLite apparently has better games than PSP. I have never owned a DS Lite so I can't comment or compare. I really like the PSP though. Even though its crippled by many of Sony's stupid ideas, it does more than just games - With a 16:9 screen, absolutely brilliant display, crisp movie playback from memory stick (divx etc), limited but thoroughly engaging gameplay, photo album viewer, mp3 player and countless hacks and free tools out there, is a lot of value for $200.

I don't know a lot about DSLite as I never owned one, but there is always a war on is on between PSP and DSLite fanboys! However both groups agree on one thing - that both are better than iPod!

iPod is an excellent mp3 player, I could be tempted to buy a flash based one (Nano) if there is a sale on them ever. I wouldn't otherwise because a simple mp3 player with not even a FM radio support is just not sufficient for my needs.

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by Ashok Mash:
...is just not sufficient for my needs.

Ahh, and there in lies the question. What are the needs? And would they be met by the nano, or Creative, or DS or PSP? I think that's what it boils down to. Meet your needs and get the best bang for your buck.

[Ashok Mash]

I couldn't agree more! But I find very hard to understand the kind of 'needs' that will justify an iPod purchase. Well, I can imagine them - fashinable (not as fashionable as it used to, still), good interface... hmm thats it really.

Meanwhile, I had one of those Creative Zen sleek photo too - fantastic little players. Very compact, efficient, radio, really bright OLED display, excellent sound quality - over all good value for money!!

[Jim Yingst]

[ashok]: fashinable (not as fashionable as it used to, still), good interface... hmm thats it really.

For me the overriding concern was storage capacity - iPod provides the most here.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Ashok Mash:
...I find very hard to understand the kind of 'needs' that will justify an iPod purchase. Well, I can imagine them - fashinable (not as fashionable as it used to, still), good interface... hmm thats it really.

Have you seriously looked at iPods? I think iPods are an incredible value -- especially when you consider the power of iTunes software. Also, Creative and iRiver players seem to work only with Windows. :roll: iPods work with both Mac and Windows.

I guess it comes back to "needs." I don't use Windows, have zero interest in games, and even less interest in a radio. But for managing huge amounts of music from a variety of sources, I find the iTunes software very impressive.
[ October 09, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by marc weber:
Also, Creative and iRiver players seem to work only with Windows. :roll: iPods work with either Mac or Windows.

My Creative works just fine in Linux. So while the supported OS might be a decisive factor, I don't think it's something to :roll: about. I could say the same thing about iPods in Linux though with some hacking and projects like Crossover Office, wine, etc, iTunes has made it's way there. Just not reliably.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Gregg Bolinger:
... My Creative works just fine in Linux. So while the supported OS might be a decisive factor, I don't think it's something to :roll: about...

That's good to know. I was just looking at the requirements pages on their sites (which is why I said, "seem to").

Also, I'm one of those people that likes to plug something in and just have it work. So if an OS isn't officially supported, it makes me leery. And this is me being leery: :roll: .
[ October 09, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by marc weber:

That's good to know. I was just looking at the requirements pages on their sites (which is why I said, "seem to").

Also, I'm one of those people that likes to plug something in and just have it work. So if an OS isn't officially supported, it makes me leery. And this is me being leery: :roll: .

[ October 09, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]

Ahh, ok. Yea, I am usually leery of such things as well. I bought the Creative knowing that Linux would be iffy. I have to keep a Windows partition around anyway for WoW so I was good. And I was happy when I got the Creative to work on Linux.

[Mark Spritzler]

What I really like about the IPods are the podcasts. There are lots of them out there, and if you want to create them, the market it bigger to reach. I don't know of other devices that work with podcasts. Maybe they all do, can someone shed some light on that?

Besides the podcasts, the MP3 part of having my entire library on one device is nice, as well as getting TV shows, and movies. The screen being a little bit bigger would be a nice new feature.

Mark

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:
What I really like about the IPods are the podcasts. There are lots of them out there, and if you want to create them, the market it bigger to reach. I don't know of other devices that work with podcasts. Maybe they all do, can someone shed some light on that? ...

For true "podcasts" (as opposed to other downloadable audio/video files), you need software that allows you to "subscribe" and automatically download new podcasts as they become available (e.g., RSS web feed). Of course, iTunes does this, but there are other options, like Juice (free for Mac, Windows, and Linux). Once you have the podcasts, playback depends on the format (.m4a, .mp3, .mov, .mp4, .m4v, etc.). All of the podcasts I get through iTunes are mp3, so I expect these would play fine on other devices.

(I just discovered that Solid Steel is available as a podcast!)

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:
..and if you want to create them..
Mark

As far as I know, any mp3 player with a decent noise canceling headset microphone can help you record your own podcasts, and you would then need some kind of software to edit, tweak and publish the files you have created.

Marc, apologies if I annoyed you with my anti-iPod tone, while I agree iPod is stylish, and has nice user interface and loads of storage as Jim pointed out (80G or so? This is one area where Creative used to be very good at, but lately they seem to be working around 20 - 30G configurations). I guess all I am trying to say is that there are better players out that can offer better value for money and all they lack is clout!

[Manish Hatwalne]

Isn't iPOD having micro drive for larger capacity? Doesn't that make it less reliable in case you drop it something? I'd like a solid state device even if it's litttle less in capacity.

But the way iPOD looks & performs, I think the craze is justified!

- Manish

[Saritha Penumudi]

Thanks a lot for all your replys.
It was really helpful. I have not bought IPOD yet.
I was also concerned with Virus that can cause due to bad mp3 file.
I was leaning towars IPOD because one of my friend said that the it is unlikely to get IPOD effected with any kind of Virus, where as other products may.

[Chetan Parekh]

Originally posted by Manish Hatwalne:
Isn't iPOD having micro drive for larger capacity? Doesn't that make it less reliable in case you drop it something?
- Manish

True, few months back I read an article saying that iPod is less durable / tuff compared to mobile phone.

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Saritha ventrapragada:
I was also concerned with Virus that can cause due to bad mp3 file.

Hoax. link

[Maureen Augustus]

While I agree iPod is a lot more than just the marketing, appealing, trendy, fashionable design, excellent software and clever up-selling, I still think the whole brand image has reached a level where other decent products are finding it hard to survive the competition, basis of my rant.

Personally, I'm glad to see Apple finally getting to be the giant squashing all the little guys for once. Microsoft's turn has been too long, in my opinion.

On an unrelated note, it's very flattering to see myself quoted in the thread by Jim Y. Thanks This is already an excellent day and it's not even 9AM!

[marc weber]

The portable market is very dynamic now with lots of good competition. But this cuts both ways: Just as it's a mistake to dismiss non-Apple products as "inferior" wannabes, it's also a mistake to dismiss Apple products as overpriced fashion accessories.

On reliability: My girlfriend's son has an iPod mini that looks absolutely demolished -- i.e., run over by trucks. I thought it was junk and wanted to take it apart. I was amazed to hear that it still works. Like any electronic device, they will break, but they are by no means fragile.

[Bear Bibeault]

My birthday is in 6 days -- here's what I'm hoping for instead of 49 candles.

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by Bear Bibeault:
My birthday is in 6 days -- here's what I'm hoping for instead of 49 candles.

That's pretty cool. My wife would like one of those.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Bear Bibeault:
My birthday is in 6 days -- here's what I'm hoping for instead of 49 candles.

I have one of the original white plastic shuffles (something lightweight and cheap that I can sweat on while running), but the new tiny aluminum ones are just too cool! So I don't need one, but I definitely want one! (Looks like it would make a nice geek tie clip. If one were to wear ties...)

But priorities: My girlfriend just got a Mini Cooper with an iPod interface built into audio system (the plug is in the glove compartment, and the car's radio buttons select playlists: MINI1, MINI2, MINI3, etc.). She doesn't have an iPod of her own, so I think I need to get her a pink nano before I buy myself another toy.

[Bear Bibeault]

Originally posted by marc weber:
geek tie clip

Oxymoron alert! Oxymoron alert!

that I can sweat on while running

I don't believe in running unless something really terrible is chasing me, but...

<rationalization>
I am about to embark on a walking program, so I absolutely need one of these. Right? Right?!?!?!
</rationalization>
[ October 10, 2006: Message edited by: Bear Bibeault ]

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Bear Bibeault:
...I don't believe in running unless something really terrible is chasing me, but...

<rationalization>
I am about to embark on a walking program, so I absolutely need one of these. Right? Right?!?!?!
</rationalization>

I'm at a loss to imagine how it might be possible to walk without one of these.

[Bear Bibeault]

You are so much my friend!

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Bear Bibeault:
You are so much my friend!

We just don't want you to get hurt -- trying to walk without proper iPoddage.

[Maureen Augustus]

It's true...I see people every day who try to walk without an iPod. They just fall right over. It's getting so I can barely get to work past all the bodies lying on the sidewalk.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Maureen Augustus:
It's true...I see people every day who try to walk without an iPod. They just fall right over...

And they're the lucky ones!

[Mark Spritzler]

I was at the Sony Style store and their new device looked pretty cool. But with only 1 GB built in and upgradable to 4GB, it is lacking in storage space. But it had everything. MP3, Video, Picture, Internet Access, etc. OH an make internet phone calls. The Mylo, it is called http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=2mJYrGBqlqdY0yVG9M1Spy9njmQ2PRnZ3-Q=?CategoryName=pa_PersonalCommunicators&ProductSKU=COM1WHITE&INT=sstyle-SonyStyleRoot-homefeature-COM1WHITE


Mark

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Mark Spritzler:
... The Mylo, it is called ...

Wow! I don't think it's quite for me, but I would love to see one of those close up.

[John Dunn]

Just got my 8G Nano this evening. My first... I was waiting for them to get a bit smaller and to fix that battery b.s. I want something that will last for a serious all-day session of fun; so a mid-day re-charge is simply out of the question. The Nanos are pretty damn light. I no longer need to feel ashamed by walking around with my CD walkman.

I will also get something REAL small for my running/blading bouts. I was going to go with Zen 1G, but those clip shuffles are awesome!!! They are much smaller than the picture leads one to believe. I recongnized the page Bear had from my work discount page - :-). I will put my order in tomorrow.

My free engraving:
drink liberally, think right.
OR
I like a man who grins when he fights... (Winston Churchill)

[Nitin Nigam]

Coming back to the original question,"8 GB Nano or 30 GB iPOD Video".
If i need an iPOd for myself then, i would go for Nano.
1) 8 GB (aprox 1500 songs) are more than enough for me to listen for whole 1 month(before i decide to shuffle the playlists)
2) I am not fascineted about iPOD video because my main purpose for iPOd would be to listen music while doing something else(walking, travelling, working). But if you are watching video, you are occupied, you can hardly do anything else. And if have to sit back and watch the video, i can do it on my Laptop, on a bigger screen.

[Manish Hatwalne]

Originally posted by marc weber:
On reliability: My girlfriend's son has an iPod mini that looks absolutely demolished -- i.e., run over by trucks. I thought it was junk and wanted to take it apart. I was amazed to hear that it still works. Like any electronic device, they will break, but they are by no means fragile.

Thanks for the info! I was only worried because it uses (or was it some time ago) Micro-drive and not solid state memory as such & these drives are not supposed to be reliable. But I think Apple seems to have taken care of such things.

- Manish