iPod New Ipod Photo 20gb: Is it worth It?

[shane-o-mac]

I became an apple follower about 6 months ago when I got a new powerbook and 512 Shuffle, now I love itunes and have re-discovered the joy of my music collection!

I have a birthday coming up and since I adore my shuffle, I am really interested in getting a 20gb Ipod Photo, esp since they just came out. My question is would I really use it or only be getting it cause I want one? I am afraid in the wee hours of the morning I will be tempted to just slide my super small shuffle in my pocket and head of for school. Idealy I would like to use my shuffle just for the gym. Is the full size ipod to heavy and bulky to carry around all day? Does anyone else have a shuffle and Ipod; which do you use most? How do owners of 20gig Ipod photo like it?

 

[EGT]

If you want it bad enough, you should get it. The colour screen really is fantastic, much better than the old greyscale.

You get the added bonus of Album art, games in colour, and the basic "Aqua" feel of os X. Battery life is good as long as you don't have big files playing all the time and if most of your music is from iTunes then you won't have this problem.

The 20 gig isn't bulky at all and if you ever hear someone saying its "too bulky" then send them my way and i'll give them something to complain about. Bulky bahh.

A few members here have 2 or 3 iPods. I have a 4th gen 40 gig and a 60 gig iPod. I only use the 60 gig though.

 

[EGT]

ohhh

Also, the Shuffle is supposed to have better sound quality than the standard iPods but I'm quite happy with the sound apart from some minor static at times. I think its touch and go whether or not you get an iPod with the static issue but many have returned them and get a replacement or refund.

You have the added benefit of being able to carry all you music with you at anytime and any changes you make to ratings or playlist you create, will automatically be synced with iTunes.

Pretty nifty

 

[akelley]

Difference in new 20GB iPod color versus 30GB Photo?

Are there any differences (other than the obvious HD size) between the new 20GB iPods (with color screens) versus the 30GB Photo? I really wanted the 30GB size, but do the newer iPods have better batteries or better firmware?

 

[feakbeak]

I have the 20 GB 4th Gen iPod and a 1 GB Shuffle. I like both very much, but for different reasons. I use my regular iPod more often than my Shuffle - this is for a very specific reason, my job. I'm a programmer and sit in front of a computer all day. It's easy to lug nearly my entire music collection (over 20 GB) to work with my on my big iPod and listen all day on nice big headphones (Grado SR-125s). I really enjoy that setup, but it's not extremely portable, especially with my choice of headphones - but it's perfect for my work environment.

At the risk of being sent EGT's way I will say that the regular iPod is bulky, relatively speaking. It's not that big or heavy considered by itself. However, if you are used to using a Shuffle it's going to seem quite a bit bigger. I don't carry my iPod around with me all the time because it's not as easy. It's significantly larger than my cell phone, which I do have with me at all times. The big iPods can fit in your pocket, but not comfortably - and I'm a big guy 6'7"/240 lbs (200 cm/109 kg) and hence have pretty big pockets.

The Shuffle is great for going to the gym or if you're out for a walk by yourself or just to carry around for some music or transferring files. I like both iPods but feel they are both suited for different usage patterns. I use my iPod almost exclusively at work and in my car w/iTrip. When I'm out and about on the move I take my Shuffle. If you never had/used a Shuffle I can see how one might get used to carrying around a regular iPod all day, but after using the Shuffle I (and I believe you) would probably feel like it's a pain to carry around the larger iPod. I think the iPod mini might be a good choice as it is small enough to fit in my pockets quite comfortably (several coworkers of mine have minis). I'm not sure what the draw of the new iPod is for you it might be the color display/photo capability and/or the larger capacity so an iPod mini may not interest you.

 

[watcher2001]

I have a 512 Shuffle and a 60GB Photo/ I love them both but I have to agree that the sound quality on the shuffle is better.. I mainly use my photo but that is because I am nowhere near as active as I would like. I still use the shuffle when I work out or ride (Would hate to take a tumble and crush a $400 device) and I use the photo at the office.. As for the size, the 60 is physically bigger than the 20 and I have no issues with it at all.. It still fits nicely in my pocket. Go ahead and get it. I am sure you will be pleased.

 

[xli_ne]

I have both and only use the shuffle of the gym. But since I'm a lazy piece of sh*t, and haven't gone to the gym in the last 2 months, my shuffle just sits. One of these days though it will get used again. I don't use it enough though, but when I do I enjoy that I have it.

 

[nightdweller25]

Well since I'm 15, I use my shuffle when I go to school, 30 or so minute car drives, and just everyday use such as when someone tells me all of a sudden that we are going some place, I just throw it in my pocket. But then the 20 GB iPod, I use that for 2 or more hour drives such as when I go to San Diego, home use, especially in bed when I'm trying to sleep, traveling, and other places where I know it's safe.

 

[wide]

Are there any differences (other than the obvious HD size) between the new 20GB iPods (with color screens) versus the 30GB Photo? I really wanted the 30GB size, but do the newer iPods have better batteries or better firmware?

nope, same exact thing just with better hardware. the 30gb may have slightly outdated firmware, but you can update it to the same firmware the new 20gb ipod uses.

 

[akelley]

nope, same exact thing just with better hardware. the 30gb may have slightly outdated firmware, but you can update it to the same firmware the new 20gb ipod uses.

When you say "better hardware" what exactly does that mean? Better battery? Better display? Better "build quality"?

 

[Lancetx]

When you say "better hardware" what exactly does that mean? Better battery? Better display? Better "build quality"?

No, the "old" 30GB and new 20GB color iPods are absolutely identical in every way except for the HD capacity. If you can get a really good deal on the closeout 30GB, then go for it, because it's exactly the same as the new one (with an extra 10GB of space).

 

[shane-o-mac]

Nice!

I appreciate all the feed back, I took the plunge and got the 20gig Ipod photo. I have to admit I love it! The color screen and feel is awesome. I picked up a cool case by Incase with a belt clip. Seems to work perfect, just clip it to my book bag or or my jean pocket and I can go. The best part is if I want to listen to a new album(i.e. Coldplay's X&Y) I can. The downside with my shuffle besides limited size, was ofcourse the lack of control in selecting specific playlist, Albums, ect. Though still love my shuffle for gym, ect. The 20 gig ipod is really pretty streamlined.

I have a quick question: Can I shuffle specific playlists, or only all my songs?

 

[JzzTrump22]

I just bought thenew 20 gig a few days ago. It's really awsome, i would recommend buying it, especially if you can use your student ID like I did.

 

[ehayut]

I just bought thenew 20 gig a few days ago. It's really awsome, i would recommend buying it, especially if you can use your student ID like I did.

ditto. I got a student discount, and got the new 20GB. Best purchase i ever made

 

[QCassidy352]

I currently only have a shuffle but have owned a full size (1st gen) and a mini in the past, and I find that I use the shuffle far more than I did either of the others. There are times that I wish I could select a specific song or playlist, but it's all made up for by the fact that I actually do take the shuffle everywhere, something that it was never convenient enough to do with the others.