Whats so great about Ipods?

[Outer_Limit]

I have a 1GB iRiver. It plays mp3s, has an FM radio, and records both voice and FM radio. And will operate over 30 hours on one AA battery. It may not have the massive storage of its apple counterpart, but it does compensate in other areas, making it an overall more versatile music device. In my opinion. What mp3 players do fellow DUers prefer?

[hfojvt]

1. one gig?

what is that, two CDs?
Using WMP on my desktop, one CD runs about 700 meg. Unless MP3s are more compressed, I need more storage space than a mere gig.
And this from a guy who used to have a 400 meg hard drive with 300 meg of blank space.

[Outer_Limit]

2. A selection of roughly 300 songs as I am on the go is enough for me

1GB takes care of that.

[billyskank]

6. Typical mp3 compression at 128kbps is 10% of original size

:)

[Lithos]

3. Speak up

I can't hear you!

:P

[Initech]

4. I have my whole CD collection on my iPod!

It's great to listen to while at work or while on long flights!

[NYC Liberal]

5. I prefer my 30 GB iPod.

I take it with my everywhere. I can also use it as an external hard drive to boot up into Mac OS X in emergencies (it's saved me twice) and store files.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

7. I just recently purchased an iPod ...

I like mine - there is always something for everyone .

[billyskank]

8. They look smart and they're cannily marketed

That's it as far as I understand. As mass storage mp3 players go, they're not actually special at all.

[Outer_Limit]

12. Interesting Perspective

;)

[Awsi Dooger]

9. Keep buying iPods

$54 a share is not a bad profit, but I'm admittedly lazy and greedy. I want another split.

[REP]

10. I Like Having a Miniature Hard Drive

It may not float your boat, and that's cool, but for me it's very handy.

[thefloyd]

11. Whats so great about grape nuts

no grape no nuts. Sorry your subject reminded me of SNL

[fortyfeetunder]

13. After I heard about Ipod battery replacement....

What was Apple's market strategy to make users return players with dying batteries back to their service center for a replacement?

From a customer point of view, user replaceable batteries preclude the user from having to be without the player at any given time.

Or can Apple retail stores make the battery replacement too?

[Outer_Limit]

16. Thats one of the main reasons I didn't buy an Ipod

Having to pay for the battery replacement (which I hear is costly), added with the time involved with shipping the unit to and from, I'd rather have a player where the battery can be replaced by the user.

[fortyfeetunder]

32. What MP3 player did you buy instead?

First, welcome to DU!!! :hi:

I'd like to know what you bought instead and how you like it.

[Outer_Limit]

33. Thanks for the welcome!

This is the first thread I have started. :)
Specifically, I have an Iriver IFP-899 with the features outlined in the first post. I like it alot, the price was decent and I have not had any problems with it.

[fortyfeetunder]

34. (thumps on head)...Thanks!!!

I'll have to look up Iriver...maybe the local Fry's has one...

[geomon666]

14. I like the Zen series from Creative.

Very nice and definitely more innovative than iPod has been.

[radwriter0555]

15. Did you know you can download LOST from ITUNES now??? We can't get it

here in france on our satellite system, so I'm going to buy it at $2 an episode it seems.

It appears I can download it, then rack it to a cd/dvd?! Then, apparently I should be able to play the dvd on my dvd player?

I'm "old"... this technology is so cool!

[nutsnberries]

19. hey geomon666,

it took me a while to compose my reply about Creative below because i got stuck at the site...
seems we were thinking the same thought!

do you have one?

[geomon666]

22. Nah, I'm a little too broke for those things.

Besides I really have no need for one.

[nutsnberries]

17. Have you checked out CREATIVE Zen?

i don't have one of these snazzy musical devices of any brand, but i wouldn't buy an iPod, mostly because everyone thinks they are the only way to go...

I'm thinking of buying one for a Christmas gift. When i have some time, i'm going to look into alternatives.

A friend has recommended the Zen. Anyone,,, please feel free to give me feedback.

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=aud_mp3_hd&item=l1zm20zz

[Outer_Limit]

20. A friend of mine has one of those

He hasn't had any problems with it, and he likes it. I would check cnet.com or some site like that and read the user reviews and check to see if there is some common defect in the device that users are complaining about. Thats what I do now before I invest money in expensive electronics.

[nutsnberries]

21. thanks. will do! (nt)

[Deja Q]

18. I've an iPaq with 2GB CF card.

It costs a little more, yes, but it does a hell of a LOT more than just polay music in a cheap plastic case with poor quality battery...

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. I can't...because I have no use for them. None of it, actually. They're

toys. And I'm not impressed. :hi:

[kanrok]

25. What, are you a communist?

First, a Packer fan, then we learn MrsGrumpy hates music! Oh...my world is crashing in!

[ScreamingMeemie]

31. HA! I adore music....I just don't need 2,000 songs all at once. I

wouldn't have the time to research, pick out, and download all that music. I'd have like 2 songs on it. ;) :hi: Go Bears ( I can say that since the Packers have a bye)

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

24. I don't know...they look cool?

A friend I know has worked for the tech desk for a major electronics dealer, and although this is anecdotal evidence, I've talked to him and his co-workers, and they say they get more iPods returned than all of the other portable mp3 players combined.

(My friend does a lot of research before he purchases any electronics, so I trust his advice.)

[Outer_Limit]

26. I can believe that

[Coventina]

27. In case of fire, it's 1) husband & dog 2) iPod 3) Great grandma's china

I love my iPod more than any personal possession I've ever owned.

I can't explain it. How can such a little device bring so much joy?
I don't know.

I used to dream about having a chance to live in a world before the bomb, or even gunpowder. But without the ability to keep my iPod running? Forget it.

[no name no slogan]

28. I bought a 2gb iPod Nano a couple weeks ago

It was the first MP3 player I'd bought in about six years (I used to own a Diamond Rio P3P 600 when the first came out-- 8mb storage + SmartMedia card support-- those were the days).

I bought my Nano based on price/feature comparisons. I don't listen to the radio, so I have no use for one in my music device. The Nano's memory is flash-based-- no mechanical parts, which means it tracks better and is more durable. The space was sufficient for my needs, too, plus I can also store/view photos via the full-color display, if I want to.

Compared to the other flash-based devices, the Nano had the best price for the memory. I rip my MP3s at 192kbps for better audio clarity, and my Nano holds about 300 songs at that rate. This is sufficient for 99% of my needs. That's why I bought it.

[DrZeeLit]

29. Love my iPod. And accessories! The JOY of plugging in my Bose

headphones while on a jet --- the noise of the plane vanishes and is replaced by... whatever I want!

The joy of listening to books during long drives and not having to fumble for CD changes.

Same goes for music -- the joy of never changing CD's and having my entire collection on the iPod -- even Christmas music.

The joy of playing music when I teach writing -- popping the iPod into a set of portable teeny, tiny speakers which give full-bodied sound -- and sending background music to ignite my students' imaginations.

The joy of waking to my own music via an alarm set to increase volume instead of jar me awake. I just pop my iPod into the dock in the alarm clock, et vi-ola!

I even take my Bose headphones to scoring sessions -- where I read entrance exams. They block out the noise and allow me a personal soundtrack.

Oh, and speaking of soundtracks -- I write. When I am deep into a character, I play a "soundtrack" that I've compiled for that particular character. This music track helps me get into the character's POV quickly, and I love that I can take my iPod anywhere and write.

And... have you ever had to sit in doctor's waiting room for what seems like hours while everyone's three year old pitches a screaming fit? Oooh, my iPod makes waiting a JOY.

And those a just a few reasons I love my iPod...and accessories.

p.s. Those Bose headphones are pricey, but sooooooo worth it!

[AirmensMom]

30. I love my iPod!

It holds my complete library and I like the click wheel and the sleek design. There are lots of toys to get for it, too. I have inMotion speakers, iTrip FM transmitter, a cool glow-in-the-dark Wild Sides iSkin, a PodPod car holder, car charger ... the works! It's great. :bounce: