Which iPod?

[JohnnyBoy]

I've got an iPod Shuffle (1st gen) and when listening, it's easy to work out where you are on a music album because each song is distinctive and you can just recognise the track. Thing is, I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and it's hard to pick up where you last left off and work out where the hell you are because narration is just narration, and it's pretty similar throughout the whole audiobook.

So I want to get an iPod with a screen, so I can visually see which chapter I'm listening to and how far through I am.

I've been onto eBay, and it's a nightmare - the prices are all over the place. iPod Shuffles are being sold at any price between £15 and £55 . Minis are anywhere between £45 and £65. 1st or 2nd gen Nanos start at £40 and go up to £70 or £80. A seller in the US is apparently selling 3rd gen Nanos for £40+P&P. There's just no pattern to prices at all; first gen Minis are selling for more than 2nd gen Nanos... it's crazy.

So, I thought that the best strategy would be to nail down what I wanted, and go from there. I like the idea of flash memory more than a microdrive, but the 1st gen Nano had problems with screen scratches, so the obvious choice is the 2nd gen Nano. Cool. All I have to do is track down a unit refurb'd by Apple and I'll be happy as Larry....

But then I saw this video review of the 3rd gen Nano, and fell in love. Even without my pre-existing admiration for Apple products, the Nano mark III just knocks me on my arse. It's just an awesome piece of technology.

So if I were to buy a 3rd gen Nano, will I be perfectly happy with the 4GB model? Or am I likely to regret not buying the 8GB model? What does everyone think?
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Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[JohnnyBoy]

I just found another review of the 3rd gen Nano which says that its sound quality is "good, but not great"....
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Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[nmbob]

If you can tell how "bad" the audio is with a couple of earbud sweating in your ears I think you have bigger problems than we can help you with. The audio quality is just fine.

Get the 8GB, then there won't be any problem...unless you're me and you discover the world of VIDEO, then you're going to want to get a 16GB Touch, which is what I ended up doing. They both have their uses.

Bob

[Pleiades]

So many things affect sound quality, I wouldn't worry about it too much, unless you're an audiophile.

If your primary use is audiobooks, if you listen to highly compressed formats (160kbit or less), or if you use inexpensive earphones, I don't think you're going to notice a lick of difference with the 3G iPod Nano versus other models.

However, some folks do have the ears and the equipment to notice the difference, so it's something to be aware of if you're of that type.
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MacBook Pro 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, Dell 802.11n card, 1.4TB external
MacBook 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 60GB HD
iMac 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, 1TB external, EyeTV Hybrid

[Ben Tex]

JB. I would think about putting that nano money towards a refurbished 8GB touch. The device just does so much more.

[trustory]

[Ben Tex]

[JohnnyBoy]

Thanks for the replies, fellas. You've reassured me about the Nano sound quality.

As for buying an iPod Touch - well the prices (incl. sales tax) look like this: refurb'd 2nd gen 2GB Nano, £47; refurb'd 3rd gen 4GB Nano, £69; refurb'd 8GB Touch, £169. So moving from a Nano to a Touch is quite a step up in price, and is probably more than I want to spend to keep track of my audiobook's progress.
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Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[Bobaloo]

I have the iPod touch and my wife was so impressed, she bought one to replace her Palm. It does everything that a Palm did and much more. If you need something to replace a Palm, the iPod Touch will suit your needs and more.
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2.5 GHZ i5 Mac Minu 8Gb Ram
2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo Mini, 4Gb RAM
SE
AppleTVII
16GB iPod Touch 32Gb iPhone
32GB Wi-Fi iPad

[Cypher]

My daughter bought the current nano earlier in the year and I have to say its superb. Size wise its about half the size of my iPod video and so much thinner. The screen size although slightly smaller doesn't look bad at all. I would definitely buy a nano rather than a classic if I was changing my iPod Video.

For me though it would probably be the Touch, the additional features would make it worth the cost difference and allow me to ditch my HP ipaq PDA. Ideally it would be an iPhone but the high contract prices would prevent me for going that route.
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Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

[supasnail]

I was looking at getting a new Palm, or an HP IPAQ beacuse I wanted a wi-fi PDA, and I was wishing apple did a PDA then it dawned on me that that's pretty much what the Touch is. It confuses me why shops don't include the iPod Touch in their PDA section rather than the MP3 section. It looks an amazing device (especially considering the forthcoming firmware upgrade that'll allow you to 'legally' install applications) and I've now settled on getting the 16GB - just looking around for the best price now.

[TheDoctor]

I got the 16Gb touch to replace my failed G4.

As to the sound quality, I defy anyone to tell the difference. Unless you are listening in a quiet room on a pair of Ec3s then all iPods will be very similar.

If like me, you are mainly listening while outside or on public transport, then any iPod will be fine for sound and your choice falls to capacity, size and features.
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He's not all there.
Mac Mini 2.16Ghz, 2GB, 200GB Momentus, 10.6.6
PowerBook G4, 867Mhz, 640Mb, 80GB, 10.4.11
Mac SE 8Mhz, 2MB, 40GB Seagate, 6.07

[Bobaloo]

I would definitely recommend replacing the earbuds with others. The new iPod earbuds seem bigger and don't fit in my ear the same way the older ones did, not to mention they don't sound great. I got a pair of Sennheiser noise canceling earbuds which weren't too expensive, but they stay in my ear and sound decent.
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2.5 GHZ i5 Mac Minu 8Gb Ram
2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo Mini, 4Gb RAM
SE
AppleTVII
16GB iPod Touch 32Gb iPhone
32GB Wi-Fi iPad

[dungeon92]

Well until the touch or iPhone can do internet radio I'm sticking to my iPaq, even iTunes radio would be enough since I've found a couple stations with what I like on there.
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"You must control your future by taking command of your present, and fixing and learning from your past."

"When history is forgotten people don't realize when it repeats."

Going to Missouri S&T!!

[JohnnyBoy]