iPod Shuffle - Now or later...?

[glawrie]

Hi

I want to buy one of my sons an iPod Shuffle (the most our budget can afford) for Christmas. Does anyone know if they are likely to be updated / changed spec / lowered in price between now and then? Would I be better buying a second-hand 'real' iPod?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[russed]

i would guess that they are probably going to stay in the current form/spec. if they upgrade the memory - they are then similar to the nano.

just as a thought, if you are buying them for your son, can you use the education store? i know the discounts are less on an ipod, but still, it will be cheeper.

 

[ipacmm]

I would say either to get a used full size iPod or Mini because it holds a lot more songs, it has a display but it is a lot bigger. But if you want a Shuffle, I have a 512MB Shuffle that I might be selling.

 

[uaaerospace]

I would guess that they will not be updated before Christmas. However, could they be discounted? Does Apple allow resellers to discount the iPods in their "Holiday Sales"? Anyone know this?

 

[Abstract]

Hi,

Just wanted to say that you might be able to get one of the older iPod Minis for a bit cheaper nowadays since they replaced that line with the iPod Nano. If you look on Ebay, you might even be able to get an iPod Mini for cheap as well.

The iPod Shuffle is good the way it is now, and I don't think they'll change soon, despite not having changed for awhile.

 

[joecool85]

How old is your son?

I would say get him a shuffle. I love mine. Totally indestructable. If you decide against that, check out the apple refurb store. iPod minis sell for $159 (4gb) and $199 (6gb).

**edit**
Not to mention they also have 512mb shuffles for $79. Although, I would still pay the $99, get it online and have it come in with a free engraving.

**edit again**
btw, I'm 20.

 

[DavidLeblond]

<rant>
The one thing I'd like to see them change with the form factor of the Shuffle is to shave just a little bit off of each side so I can have my USB mouse plugged into my iBook at the same time as my Shuffle.
</rant>

Other than that, the shuffle is a fine iPod. I use mine for listening to podcasts in the car and I couldn't see using anything else.

 

[notjustjay]

I've noticed stores here in Canada have been selling the 512 mb shuffles on sale at $99 Cdn (which is a $30 discount from the regular Apple MSRP).

 

[glawrie]

Thanks for suggestions!

Hi

Thank you all for suggestions. My son is 10, and based on what's said here we've gone for the 1Gbyte Shuffle - largely because we think / hope it is more abuseable than a mini, and gives us an option in a later year to 'improve' his shuffle with a better model (by then I guess we'll be up to the 3d holographic bluetooth enabled ipod tattoo...).

Thanks again for the advice / comments.

 

[denial]

The Shuffle is a great buy for young children/teenagers. Rock solid build.

 

[Danksi]

<rant>
The one thing I'd like to see them change with the form factor of the Shuffle is to shave just a little bit off of each side so I can have my USB mouse plugged into my iBook at the same time as my Shuffle.
</rant>

Yes, bit of a design error that...

just as a thought, if you are buying them for your son, can you use the education store?

How does that work?