iPod iPod Photo as gift: keep or return?

[bankshot]

I've been helping a good friend of mine with a business idea that we're trying to get off the ground soon. I'm doing this in my free time (have a regular day job) and the understanding has always been that if it starts to make money, I'd get a cut. If it started doing really well, I'd consider quitting my job to work on it. We haven't quite gotten to the point of making money yet, but apparently he wanted to thank me for my work so far, so he conspired with my wife and got me a 60 GB iPod Photo.

I'm a little bit torn as to what I should do, and let me explain why.

I have a 3rd gen 30 GB iPod that's served me well for the last 2 years. My 4800 songs just still fit on it at 160 kbps AAC. I wrote a rant on a blog about how it was dying a month or so ago (which was true) because it kept getting disk errors. After several reformats, disk checks, etc, it would always lock up partway through resyncing with iTunes. One time the iPod database file got corrupted, so all the music was there, but the iPod thought it was empty. I figured it was about done for. So this is obviously where my friend got the idea.

Then I reformatted one last time, zeroing out all data, and it began working again. In the last month it's been flawless. I never updated that blog with this new development, so my friend didn't know my iPod was well again...

I have several options but I'm torn:

• I can keep it and start using the new one. Seems like a bit of a waste since the current one is still working and fulfilling my needs now. I also swore up and down in my rant that I'd never buy another iPod until Apple fixes the gap problem. I know probably only 1% of their users even care about it, but it matters a lot to me, and that's the one and only thing that bugs me about the iPod as it currently stands. Using the new one would be giving in and showing Apple that they don't have to have high standards in their products.
  
  
• I can keep it and wait until the old one breaks for good. A little less wasteful (and it means the new one would last that much longer, which is good), but again it also means that much less pressure on Apple to fix the gap problem. Like I said, that means a lot to me...
  
  
• My friend said I could return it and get something else if I want and he'd be fine with that. Ok, maybe I will, but I can't really think of anything else in that price range that I really want right now. Everything I want is either small (lots and lots of CDs on my wishlist) or big (I wouldn't mind a new Power Mac for example... ). I've also felt like returning a gift is a bit disrespectful, even if the person says it's ok. Maybe that's just a hangup of mine.

So what would you do in this situation? You already have an iPod that's meeting your needs well, were hoping to hold out for a new generation that fixes things or has new features, but the gift is still pretty darn cool. Don't get me wrong, I'm quite tempted to open the box and play with my new toy - new gadgets are always lots of fun. But with these other considerations in mind - the biggest being that the iPod Photo doesn't fill any currently vacant need - would you still keep it?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[MacFan25863]

I would keep the photo. Better battery life, better control interface, and wayyy better screen.

Why not sell the 3G on eBay? I'm betting you can get around 200 for it. Use it to buy iLife 05, iWork, and maybe a new keyboard or mouse.

 

[bankshot]

I would keep the photo. Better battery life, better control interface, and wayyy better screen.

True, but it still doesn't solve the gap problem, so my albums with tracks running together don't play back smoothly. I just know that with my luck, I'd open the box and the next day Apple would announce a 5th generation with gapless playback. Good points, though.

Why not sell the 3G on eBay? I'm betting you can get around 200 for it. Use it to buy iLife 05, iWork, and maybe a new keyboard or mouse.

That's a good idea, but I don't think I'll sell it even when I do move on to a newer one. I had it signed by Joe Satriani.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll think about it!

 

[notmenotyou]

.....I can keep it and start using the new one. Seems like a bit of a waste since the current one is still working and fulfilling my needs now. I also swore up and down in my rant that I'd never buy another iPod until Apple fixes the gap problem. I know probably only 1% of their users even care about it, but it matters a lot to me, and that's the one and only thing that bugs me about the iPod as it currently stands. Using the new one would be giving in and showing Apple that they don't have to have high standards in their products.....

totally agree, i hate iTunes especially when i listen to The wall from Pink Floyd.

back to the topic, i think you should sell you 3gen on ebay and have the photo running.

 

[efoto]

Some people have signed footballs or basketballs in cases in their home office, how bad-ass would it be to have a signed iPod in a little plexiglass case on your desk! I mean, complete and utter show, I love it!

Not only do you have one signed on display, you also have the latest and top of the line iPod Photo which you use. From experience, I can say that I seldom use the actual 'photo' features of the iPod Photo, but the color screen with album-art is ultra cool. I love how you can be listening to an album, depress the middle button one (two or three, not sure) times, and the album art is blown up to nearly full-screen, its great. Plus, the battery life is longer and the color screen in general just looks that much better.

I kind of agree with you on the whole gift thing....its a strange feeling when you want to return a gift. An old girlfriend gave me four dress shirts from a store, two of which I liked, one was okay, and one I did not think I would ever wear. I was not sure what to do, but in the end I took her with me (highest importance!) and exchanged the one I liked least, and kept the other three. On the way out of the mall, I made sure I bought something for her too, just to smooth whatever ripples the return might have caused

 

[Jovian9]

True, but it still doesn't solve the gap problem, so my albums with tracks running together don't play back smoothly. I just know that with my luck, I'd open the box and the next day Apple would announce a 5th generation with gapless playback.

Since you have 4800 songs and will have a lot of extra space on the iPod Photo (compared to your 30GB 3G iPod).....why don't you put the albums that you want gapless playback with on it twice. I believe that in iTunes there is a way to join tracks....you could have the album on their by song and altogether as one joined track. Not the ideal way, but it would give you gapless playback for those albums that you want it for.

 

[Xenious]

That's a good idea, but I don't think I'll sell it even when I do move on to a newer one. I had it signed by Joe Satriani.

Sweet! I agree with the other person that said you should put this in a display case on your desk. Keep the autograph in good condition and enjoy the iPod photo. Use the extra space for file storage. I understand the frustration with the gaps, but I don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[notjustjay]

My thoughts:

You said you'd never buy another one... but you didn't; this was a gift. So I don't see it as compromising what you said.

If it were me, I'd return it and get a Mac Mini or a few other gadgets (iSight and Airport Express) or software (Final Cut Pro Studio, academic edition) etc.

Nice friend though, I like that he's being generous

 

[iGary]

Keep it.

 

[36183]

if your current ipod servers you well, just return it and buy something more useful. no point of having two ipods when you only really need one.

and why do all you thoughs on what you want to buy with the money have to be computer related?

 

[blackpeter]

I'll ask you this: How much money would you have saved by not spending so much time thinking about, consulting your friend and posting an elaborate question about returning your iPod? Surely your time is more valuable than that?

Seesh!

 

[dotdotdot]

I'd keep it.

Who knows when you'll ever get an iPod photo again?

Plus you don't need a Mac or anything else from Apple except a Power mac you said, and Apple won't refund your money, they'll give you store credit...

 

[martin1000]

Keep the new one and give the old one to a good friend or relative (who still uses Windows PCs). Get them on the path to conversion!

 

[wPod]

keep the photo. . . color is the way of the future, just like TVs next thing you know there will be HD iPod! heh. . . that or swap it in for a mini!!! everyone could use an extra mini!

 

[Sweetfeld28]

i think you'd be crazy not to keep it. i also think that either displaying the signed iPod, or selling it, are both good options.

 

[wide]

I'd keep it. apple will probably release a firmware update to fix the gaps if it is that big of a problem. most reviews don't mention it either, is it only with specific models (or is it simply a defect, like the static in the minis)?

 

[mms]

I personally don't see Apple changing their ways on gapless playback anytime soon. There's no pressing need for them to change it. It's best to just accept that it's not going to change and use the iPod.

 

[nagromme]

If your old iPod works well for you--and you're pretty sure it will keep on (knock on wood)--then I don't see anything wrong with exchanging the new one.

The Photo is GREAT--I have one--but if you have the latest and greatest now, that makes it harder to justify getting a new iPod later when you really want one The gap thing may or may not change, but in general iPods will keep getting better. Maybe you'll want one of those more than you want this Photo now.

And you have an out: your old iPod is working again! So you can say you love the new iPod BUT now you don't need it. Shouldn't hurt feelings--they'll know it WAS good choice, except the situation changed.

As for what to do with the money... get a Mac Mini You'll find something to do with it...

That said, you couldn't pry my Photo away from me. I love the color UI and album art. Oh yeah, and the photos

 

[efoto]

And you have an out: your old iPod is working again! So you can say you love the new iPod BUT now you don't need it. Shouldn't hurt feelings--they'll know it WAS good choice, except the situation changed.

As for what to do with the money... get a Mac Mini You'll find something to do with it...

That said, you couldn't pry my Photo away from me. I love the color UI and album art. Oh yeah, and the photos

I think nagromme's first point about having an out is true, but you know your friend and only you know if s/he will be hurt by you returning/exchanging it. If there are other things you think you could use or at least want more I say go for it, but personally I think that if you are going to exchange it you should do so with the intent of the gift in mind, ie still get something Apple! (of course). The gift was a cool electronic gadget, top of the line actually, so if you don't need that, get something else like a mac mini or a 30" cinema *cough* for just a touch more $$$

 

[MacRy]

I'd keep it. I have a 30Gb Photo and it's way better than the standard jobbies.

From a personal point of view if I gave a friend such an expensive gift and told him/her that I wouldn't mind if they wanted to swap it for something else and they then did, I would be kind of upset. It's something that people generally say isn't it "No, honestly I don't mind" when really i'd be thinking "They hate it! I brought them a crap present!" Maybe that's just me though.

Sell your old one and rave about how much you love the new one to your generous friend.....imagine how great that'll make him feel

Totally agree with you on the gap thing by the way. 'American Idiot' album doesn't flow properly and neither does 'Far From the Maddening Crowd' by Chicane, which is one of my favourite albums to chill out to.

 

[Les Kern]

It was a GIFT from a FRIEND who put THOUGHT into it. Now you're minimalizing this GIFT and THOUGHT by trying to think of a way to fix a problem that doesn't exist and to benefit YOU. If you don't WANT the GIFT, give it back to him and expect the obvious repercussions. If it were me? Dump the old one, load up the new one, and get him a small THOUGHTFUL gift just to let him know you REALLY appreciate the fact he was thinking of YOU. Jesus.

 

[mac-er]

It was a GIFT from a FRIEND who put THOUGHT into it. Now you're minimalizing this GIFT and THOUGHT by trying to think of a way to fix a problem that doesn't exist and to benefit YOU. If you don't WANT the GIFT, give it back to him and expect the obvious repercussions. If it were me?

Wow, I'd hate to be your (Les) friend.

If you want the iPod, keep it.
If you don't want the iPod, return it to the Apple Store in exchange.

If I were your friend, I'd want to you have something you are going to use, rather then keeping something that you won't use or don't want (exchange it).

I don't think anyone is minimalizing a gift or the thought of a gift by trying to figure out how to best maximize the use of the gift.

If you put the gift in a closet or never use it (or give it back), then you are minimalizing the gift and the thought.

 

[efoto]

Your friend is probably on this forum, reading all of this right now, balling his eyes out because you are so torn as to what to do.

The damage is already done, have fun sleeping tonight....you horrible person you

 

[bankshot]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Lots of good suggestions and comments.

A few random responses:

• Yes it was a gift, which is why I said I feel a little funny about returning it. At the same time, my friend said he wasn't sure if it was the right thing, so he suggested that I return it if there was something else I wanted. He made it clear that he wanted it to be something I really wanted. And either way, I really do appreciate the thought.
  
  
• Yeah, I'm spending a lot of time thinking about it, but then again, when I'm not on the clock at work, my time is worth doing whatever I want to do. And this is important because (a) I want to honor the spirit of the gift by getting the most out of it, and (b) I don't like to be too wasteful (ie, using a new iPod when the old one still works).
  
  
• I like the display case idea for the signed one, and that'd make me feel a little better about not using it anymore.
  
  
• I also like the Final Cut Studio idea (I'd get Final Cut Express + DVD Studio Pro, edu pricing thanks to the wife). I have a bunch of old iMovie projects that I'd love to revamp and put together as really snazzy DVDs. The level of control offered in DVDSP over iDVD is really appealing to me. HOWEVER. I don't honestly see myself having the time to learn the software and do this kind of project anytime soon - just too busy in general. I'd hate to get it and then never use the software for lack of time.
  
  
• No, my friend doesn't read this forum. He's not a Mac person (yet), but like me he's a Unix person who's fed up with Windows. He's very impressed with OS X and I believe one day he'll be a switcher.

So at this point the decision boils down to keep the iPod photo or get the Final Cut / DVDSP software. The both have their advantages and drawbacks so I'll keep weighing it. I have until May 6th to return the iPod, but I may give in before that and just rip it open.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Mr. Durden]

Didnt read all the posts, so this may have been mentioned already:

1. Murphy's Law, as soon as you return the new one, your current one will crap out for good and you'll be SOL.

2. How many of your songs are from the iTunes Music Store? If you have a bunch, you'll have to do without them since no other players will play them (unless you go through the hastle of re-formatting them, etc.).

Display the Joe Satriani one and use the Photo one. No brainer for me.

By the way, my favorite JS song ever; The Phone Call. Yowza.