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Would i be crazy to buy a refurb 4th Gen iPod now?

P

PlaceofDis

macrumors Core
Original poster
Jan 6, 2004
19,241
6
title says it all. i'm finally sick of my small 6gig iPod mini. i have about 45gigs of music (about 8,000 songs) and i can't even fit only my top/five starred songs on the mini anymore.

now my first thought was to get a 60gig iPod with video capabilities.
but a few thougsh on that...
1. i don't need a bigger screen.
2. i won't use the video feature.
3. doesn't use Firewire.
4. i would like to spend as little as possible.

so i went and browsed the refurb part of apple's store...

hmmm...

60gig iPod with color screen...
1. cheaper
2. has the capacity i want.
3. good enough battery life
4. still warrantied.
5. uses FW
6. still has a color screen

cons: slightly bigger.

so after reading all this... would i still be crazy to buy it?

the only thing that would sway me is if the possibility of an 80gig ipod was comming soon, but seeing that we've had to wait this long.. who know when or if that will happen.

thoughts? opinions?
 
well how much for both?

i personally love my 20gb 4th gen. FW is nice.

personally I just dont trust the HD is the 4th gen 60gb...
 
Pistol Pete said:
well how much for both?

i personally love my 20gb 4th gen. FW is nice.

personally I just dont trust the HD is the 4th gen 60gb...
Click to expand...

Brand new 5th Gen 60gig: $399
Refurb 5th Gen 60gig: $339
Refurb 4th Gen 60gig: $279

you don't trust the drive in the fourth gen? why?
 
If I was you I would save up the extra $60 to get the 5G 60GB, because it is better in almost every way than the 4G 60GB (other than not having firewire). And I know you want firewire, but I think it is worth sacraficing for the decrease in size (the 4G 60GB will feel huge compared to your mini). Also, you mention not wanting video or a bigger screen, but I'm sure you will find them useful at some point.
 
Tom B. said:
If I was you I would save up the extra $60 to get the 5G 60GB, because it is better in almost every way than the 4G 60GB (other than not having firewire). And I know you want firewire, but I think it is worth sacraficing for the decrease in size (the 4G 60GB will feel huge compared to your mini). Also, you mention not wanting video or a bigger screen, but I'm sure you will find them useful at some point.
Click to expand...


i did have a 15gig 3rd gen. so i know about the size, and it doesn't really matter to me, as it will be used almost only when i drive.

anyone else have any reason to go with the 5th over the 4th?
 
given the amount of views vs posts.....

maybe i'm not crazy. unless someone puts forth a reason to go for the 5th over the 4th that is compelling.... i'm ordering tonight. :D
 
i say go for the 4th generation, given that you don't care about video and would prefer firewire.
you can spend the savings on a case, or even more music :p

edit: since youll be using it principally while driving, that's another reason to go for the 4th gen--the itrip that uses the remote slot is MUCH cheaper than the itrip that uses the dock connector.
 
PlaceofDis said:
given the amount of views vs posts.....

maybe i'm not crazy. unless someone puts forth a reason to go for the 5th over the 4th that is compelling.... i'm ordering tonight. :D
Click to expand...

Go with the 4th Gen. I have one and it is still kicking ass and going strong. I think the new 5th Gens feel like they are not constructed as well (just my humble opinion).
 
The 5th gen supposedly has upgraded audio circuitry and sounds better. I've had mine since right when they came out and really dig it.
The bigger, better screen is nice but definitely not a necessity.
 
I say go with the 4th Gen, PlaceofDis, and enjoy it. You'll save money and still have a product you'll enjoy immensely. Then, when the 80GB ones come out this fall, you can sell it and get one of those.

You definitely do want the color screen though. It makes the fonts look so much better and easier to read.
 
I agree with most here that say go with the 4G. If you are only going to be using it while driving, then even more the reason.

You could aslo get the B&W 4G 40 GB from the refurb store for $199 (with a dock), which is a great deal IMO. But you need more space than that it seems.:(

I have had a 4G B&W 20 GB for a year and a half and it has been great. I would upgrade to the 40 GB I talked about above in a second if I did not just start taking the train to work. Now I want a 5G 60 GB badly to use the video feature. But if I were still driving, I'd go 4G as well.

Good luck. You will be pleased no matter what. Both are sweet little devices!
 
my monochrome 4G has been going strong for two years this september. If you dont need video it does everything the same as the 5G (except maybe a different battery life?) I say go for the best deal you can find
 
slu said:
I agree with most here that say go with the 4G. If you are only going to be using it while driving, then even more the reason.
Click to expand...

Amen to that! I'm trying to track down a 4G with little/no battery life left, just for my car! Evn the mono screen would be fine for me, as it will connected to my head unit to display track info.
 
PlaceofDis said:
Brand new 5th Gen 60gig: $399
Refurb 5th Gen 60gig: $339
Refurb 4th Gen 60gig: $279

you don't trust the drive in the fourth gen? why?
Click to expand...

Is the video capability + a slightly thinner body worth more than $120 in your pocket and firewire?

Sounds like the answer is no, so go for the 4th gen. To me, the refurb 4th gen sounds like a great deal. I've been waiting forever for a capacity over 60GB to replace my 3rd gen 30GB...but maybe a refurb 4th gen would be a good idea...

I had a great experience with the refurbished powerbook I bought earlier this year. Since then, I've become much more open to buying refubs from Apple. It's a great savings opportunity.
 
I plan on buying a 4th gen 60GB refurb as well some time in the future. I'm with you, don't need the bigger screen, won't watch any movies on it. I really like my 20GB, I wish I would have gotten the 60GB right away though.
 
4th Gen for me too. With the 5G you're constantly worrying about screen scratches since the video is also compelling, but since you have no reason for it, save the money. I'd say the size is a good reason to get the 5G but you don't really care. Just make sure your battery life is decent. I bought an ipod mini refurbished from apple once and the battery life was terrible.
 
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