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General discussion

Ipod classic vs. Ipod Touch

Jun 1, 2009 4:09AM PDT

I understand that there are a lot of discussions all over the internet that have debated this topic, but most of the people in question are not in the same situation as I am.

As some of you know, Apple is having their "Buy a MAC for college and get a free Ipod touch" deal. But this deal also includes most other Ipods, including the Ipod classic 120 GB. The rebate is $229, meaning: if I get an Ipod classic, I will have to pay $30, if I get an Ipod touch 8 GB I won't have to pay ANYTHING for it, or I can get a 16 GB for $70.

My music collection is currently a little over 45 GB. And it continues growing pretty regularly.

I know most of you then would clearly say "Get the Ipod Classic", seeing as though the Ipod touch has a lack of memory storage. But I am more likely to get an Ipod of my own, ON MY OWN, one day with my own money. So getting a free Ipod touch, not for the music storage availability of it, but for the practical use of internet surfing, email checking, etc. (you know, all those handy things that come with an Ipod touch)

So my main question here is, music listening aside, is the Ipod Touch worth it? Aren't there also fees to use the internet with it? So I would be spending a lot of money each month just to upkeep the Ipod touch, is that correct?

Because I do value listening to music, the Ipod might be for me, but I'm also very prone to just listening to it directly off my Itunes.

If I get the Ipod classic:
I can listen to music. Maybe a few music videos, but not so much movies (because my eyesight will deteriorate).

If I get the Ipod touch:
I can surf the web. But is it THAT useful, day-to day? Is it more of a distraction than a handy gadget? And what about the extra fees for internet and such? And is it kind of a pain to look at such a tiny screen when doing all the magical things you can do on it? If I do get the Ipod touch, I will eventually get the Ipod classic one way or another, but I don't know if it's worth it to spend all that money.

Just a side note - I am not using Apple's deal this year. They seem to have it every year though, but I will only be getting a Macbook Pro before heading off to college. So keep in mind that I will be making use of this deal NEXT year, and there will obviously be technological advances and (maybe) price drops in either item. But I'd like to make my decision ahead of time.

Discussion is locked

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Let me comment on just one item here.
Jun 1, 2009 4:13AM PDT

I find having a free wifi connect to the internet to be a fine thing. No I don't have the touch but some iPaq PDA. Since I write PDA software and my PDA plays mp3s then I can't justify more things to carry around. Again, for me it's been quite a nice thing to have around.

Oh, one more thing. The car has some 2GB memory card that is half full. I can't imagine carrying 45 GB around.
Bob

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I own both Classic 120GB and Touch 8GB
Jun 1, 2009 4:50AM PDT

Since I own both units you are considering (I should say, I own the 120GB classic and I bought my wife the iPod Touch), so I've used both extensively and here is my 2-cents on both:

1) Touch is only really useful if you have access to a wireless WiFi. I have an AT&T DSL that does both wireless and wired connect, and the Touch was able to join flawlessly. I find it useful to check our emails with the Touch. It's fun to surf the web, but be aware that the physical layout and content of the web pages are slightly different on the Touch vs computer. I've download a few Applications on the Touch, and these can be really handy and fun. Recently I was frustrated using the Touch while trying to view NBA highlights on NBA.com or ESPN.com. It won't work, because it requires Flash, which isn't yet compatible with the Touch. However, I was able to download the FREE NBA application specifically for the NBA 2009 Playoffs, and this is GREAT!! Games are cool too on the Touch. My computer's iTune library is huge, and it won't fit on the Touch, but you can do a "Manual Sync" and selectively add songs and playlists.

The iPod 120GB Classic took my entire iTunes music library as well as the Digital copy of Blue Harvest and Dark Knight, plus I have tons of space left. I use my Classic for music, while the music on the Touch for me, seems to be an added feature since my wife usually uses the Touch for games and email. I had been using an Airport Express to wirelessly transmit iTunes to my outside stereo, but now I simply plug my Classic into the outside receiver and it works better because I have control.

So, for music and movies, the classic is a better choice. For handy applications, games, reading email and Internet, the Touch is the obvious choice, but you need a Wi-Fi network. Don't expect to simply take your Touch anywhere and get Wi-Fi.

Also, the Touch REQUIRES a Wi-FI network to connect to the Internet whereas the iPhone is able to connect by using it's phone network, which works independently from a Wi-Fi network. Therefore, whereever you can get cell phone reception, you should be able to get the Internet, but it connects and runs way slower than using a Wi-Fi.

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I have a 2nd Gen Touch...
Jun 1, 2009 11:55PM PDT

And a 5th generation iPod. And I also have the first generation Touch. The Touches get used much more. I can't fit all of my library on any of my iPods...I had actually considered getting a Classic, but I carry the Touches with me almost everywhere so it seemed pointless.

Yes, surfing the internet on it is not the best experience but it's not bad for such a small device. I'll use it in a quick pinch. As long as you have access to free wifi, then there are no fees to pay. I use the wifi at home, which I do pay for but not through the iPod (AT&T DSL), at the library (free), and at the office (free). I use a lot of apps for e-mail, Facebook, news, books, etc. The apps are a better experience.

Watching tv shows and movies? I used to do it on the 5th gen, but that was when I only had that to play video. But the screen is too small. Since I got the Touch, no more. I think the Touch's screen is fine. Since video takes up a ton of space, I just put the ones I want to watch on it, then when I'm done I take them off and put new ones on. As for music and audio/video podcasts, I do use autosync to sync selected playlists and podcasts.

How much you spend after you buy an iPod Touch is up to you. If you have access to free wifi, then you won't be spending money on that. If you're going to be at school, your college should have free wifi. There are many free apps, but you may end up buying apps. You could be spending on music and videos from the iTunes store, but you could be doing that regardless of which iPod you buy. While I won't go into detail about it, you could put dvds you own on your iPod. There is a tutorial about it on CNET as well as one on iLounge.

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The Touch IS more fun
Jun 3, 2009 2:56PM PDT

It just does a heck of a lot more.

Primarily because I think iPods aren't as good-sounding as the competition devices I never contemplated buying one of the Classic iPods just to carry all of my songs around. I would've needed the discontinued 240GB version, and by now even that one would be close to being filled now that I'm gotten into the habit of using WAV files more often. My last HD-based iPod is the 5.5G, which has become a permanent fixture in my car. At 80GB, the way I manage the device it's still only about half full, and roughly half of that content I rarely listen to anyways. Big HD-based media players are SO overrated, which is funny since I never used to think this way. But even you admit to using iTunes instead to listen to music rather than dragging out an iPod.

Go for the Touch; the apps are addictive. Wi-Fi has been extremely handy. But 8GB will fill up fast, especially if you do any amount of video. A year from now if you can swing the 16GB or 32GB (since everyone's thinking that a 64GB monster is in the works), that would be the way I'd go.

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My bad, brain fart...
Jun 3, 2009 3:09PM PDT

For some reason I was thinking that old big cap Classic was double the cap of the CURRENT iPod Classic. I should've been doubling the cap of the OLD smaller Classic (80GB...to 160GB). At that size it would've barely been able to handle my entire music library back then.

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Go With The iPod Touch.
Jun 25, 2009 4:02PM PDT

After reading your situation, I'd definitely go with the touch if your going to get a new mac with the deal and plan on buying another iPod later. I've owned an 8gb iPod Touch (1st Gen) and then I sold it to buy my Classic for more space. I've substantially increased my collection with more music, movies, and photos. My Classic can handle it all with ease, and I love the thing. I did really like the convenience and features of the Touch when I had it, and I'm going to buy a 2nd Gen when I have money again. So, I'd get the Touch now because of the features, and then stow your entire collection in the Classic when you purchase it.

Hope that helps!