iPod Questions

The wife has hinted that she would like an iPod for Christmas.  I don't know very much about iPods and I'm looking for a few pointers.  I've done a bit of looking at the various different models and sizes of memory available on line.

Q1 They connect to a pc via USB, but what is the iPod end of the USB cable like?  Is it the type that is used on Blackberrys, some cameras and Tomtoms or is it a specific Apple type of connection?

Q2 What is battery life like as I've heard that they are integral with the casing and can't be replaced like a mobile phone battery?

Q3 Will it work with our 5 year old PC in the house?  It has Windows XP Home.  The stuff I've read about system requirements talk about the need for Service Pack 3 with whatever version of Windows that is specified.  Can I update the Service pack on the PC in the house to #3?  I'm concerned that it won't work with the PC at home.

Q4 Any advice on what one to get????

Me, I just use them shiny disc things for listening to music!

Thanks

Andrew

Edited by Andrew Rolland

I find my iPhone 3GS great for it's iPod function.
Just download iTunes on your PC and you are away.
There are other Apple music players as well don't forget. The Nano's are quite good.
The Apple store also does refurbed models for less as well.

Andrew

I bought an 80gb i-Pod Classic for Mrs D a couple of years ago.  A great device but unless you have a huge music collection or your wife plans to use it a lot for video then its probably overkill, especially as I think the current capacity is now up to 160Gb.

I then bought a 16Gb Nano 4th generation (for myself about 18 months ago.  I find that the capacity is fine for music (I use the same i-tunes library as Mrs D and it won't even fill the 16Gb, so the 80Gb is pretty much wasted), I don't use it for video.  A nephew has a 5th generation and it seems to have kept all the good bits of mine and added things like a camera and is noticably lighter than mine - not that mine is exactly heavy.  The latest 6th generation is about half the size of the 4th and 5th generation Nano's and looks like it has dropped the click wheel and luses a touchscreen interface.  To be honest, my favourite out of these 3 Nano's would be the 5th generation.

The end result in our house is that the Classic is used in the car (hooked up to a Parrott Mki9100) and Mrs D tends to use the Nano because its easier to wear when walking, etc.

If size and portability is key, then a 16Gb Nano is probably most suitable.  If video, or other apps, are more important then try the 16Gb Touch - a little more expensive and physically bigger.  The Touch is basically an i-Phone without the phone bit.

Edited by Dergside

Issy wrote:   My advice would be get her the iPhone4 I love mine and never use my iPod now.

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Yes but they cost about �450 don't they and even then you have to get it under a phone contract as you can't get them PAYG IIRC.

 

 

Andrew Rolland wrote: I could get two new rear tyres for that money!

Yeah, but from what I've heard, they won't store much music and the battery life is crap!