Hello everyone,

I am looking at buying a new iPod within the next 2-4 weeks but I'm not sure which model I want to purchase. I have a music library with 12 GB of music currently, however I don't see myself needing to keep my entire library on the iPod, just some songs for when I am out for a few hours jogging or mountain biking for example, I am not planning on really playing videos or games with it.

Currently I am considering either the iPod nano (8 GB), iPod classic (80 GB), or possibly iPod touch (8 GB). I know that the iPod classic has a small form factor hard disk drive inside of it so I'm not sure if it would be the best choice for an active lifestyle, however if anyone can correct me on this please feel free to do so.

I have heard great things about the Apple Refurbished Store, and have seen one success so far -- I purchased an iPod nano (previous generation, the ones that look like an Apple remote) for my girlfriend and it looks like it's brand new, so it is definitely an option I will be considering with this purchase as well. My budget is $350.

Thank you all in advance for your time and help in this matter.

From personal experience I'd tell you to get the 8GB nano. Really small and light for jogging/biking.
And the fact it can withstand falls really well is a plus.

I would say the Ipod Nano is your best option.

I have a 4GB nano video and I love it!

yeah, I'd say the nano 8GB, I'm my experience I have a very small library so the nano is perfect for me...but seeing how you have more than 8GB, I guess you'd have to ask yourself, at what rate does your library grow? will it consume 8GB in a small time, if so then the 80GB since it may seem better in the long run.

the touch has the perfect capacity but seems too delicate for what you'll use it for.

The iPod touch is a great device, but you're probably best off getting a refurbished 8GB nano.

If you're planning on using it for jogging, I'd suggest either a Nano or a touch, since they're flash-based.

As far as library growth, I usually only add a few songs here and there each month, however I have a lot of music that I do not like any more (my library reduction will be targeted towards my death metal and electronica that I really can't stand), so it should make up for it and give the library some lee-way.

I used to run with the iPod Classic and no problems, it never skipped....

Personally I'd get a classic, I like keeping my entire collection with me. 8GB will soon not be enough, your music library is bound to grow.

well then, the nano seems to be a perfect fit for you.

I've also heard Nano has a better battery life.
I'm currently with a black Nano 8Gb. I love it Small and very very thin.

If you want a real MUSIC player, avoid the iPod Touch, please, you'll be doing yourself a big favor by getting an iPod classic instead.

I see the touch as a crippled iPhone. Get the nano

I have an 8GB Nano myself and it's great. +1 for Nano

What's wrong with the iPod touch?

As a runner, I'd highly recommend you get the nano.

Nothing, it's just designed to do more than play music and video. The other iPods are tailored for music, but the iPod Touch runs a version of OS X, has lots of applications and has other things in it such as Wi-Fi.

It might be too much, but it is not delicate.

I've slammed mine in car doors, and when I ride the bus I will intentionally knock it against the wall in time with music. I know it's tough, so I don't treat it carefully.. if you know what I mean.

The only reason I went for the touch is because I don't like the click wheel. That's basically my reason.

If you're familiar with the wheel and like it, get the Nano.

i have an iPod video. after 2 years the battery lasts 30 minutes on a full charge. i would suggest the classic because i am very happy with my video, but the battery life is a concern.

That's one of the reasons I bought an iPod touch (32 gig). Plus, I just got tired of the same old iPod. I wanted something new and different, not just the same thing with a bigger hard drive and new looks.

I just got a 8GB nano and I love it. My music collection is like 20GB but there are a lot of songs that I don't like anymore so I have only used 2GB out of it.

I love it because of its size and weight.

i have a touch and love it.

I've had an iPod touch before and it broke due to an accident, I'm not sure if another iPod touch would be beneficial to me as the area I live in does not have a lot of Wi-Fi hot spots so internet connectivity would be limited, although now that I have a .Mac subscription (soon to be MobileMe) it may be a bit more useful but I still don't know... [sigh].

I personally love my touch, being able to surf the net, check email, maps, etc. Though if you are using an iPod for more excercising I would recomond the Nano over the touch, it is smaller and cheaper if something would happen to it.

I think I have made a decision on the iPod nano (8 GB) in either silver or black for use as a media player when I am on the go, however I am also considering replacing my cell phone on the 11th of July with an iPhone 3G which could kill two birds with one stone so to speak (I really don't like the Motorola RAZR V3). I'll keep everyone updated on what happens.

Get the iPod Classic. I run ALOT at around the 6 min/mile mark and I hold the iPod in my hand and it plays with no problems at all. If you want a dedicated music player with a bonus ability to play videos, then that's all you need. iPod Touch and iPod Nano are more like fashion statements than anything else.

Really? And you haven't had any issues with skipping or with the hard drive failing? Does anyone know what sort of protection mechanisms are in place with the iPod classic?

If you want to run/jog, then don't get the iPhone. I have one and love it, but it's too big and heavy to keep in your pocket while running. The nano is small and light and perfect for use while running.


The classic plays back music from RAM, not directly from the disk. When you start a song, the next few are also loaded into memory and then decoded on the fly. You'll never experience skipping while in the middle of a song, but there might be a delay when a song needs to be loaded.

There is still a higher risk of damage to the hard drive, is there not? Or does it keep it parked? What about if the iPod were to slip and fall or whatnot?

After much consideration over the past week, and after trying various iPod models at my local Apple Authorized Reseller today I decided to purchase an iPod classic (80 GB) in black. I tried out the iPod nano but I found that the click wheel was a little bit harder to get used to compared to the one on the iPod classic. I didn't want to get another iPod touch simply because of my active lifestyle and the chance of the screen cover becoming damaged once again (at $350 to $400 a pop after taxes, they are not cheap to replace).

With that being said, what is any Apple purchase without... unboxing photos!