OK, so I've decided that my next technology-toy purchase is going to be an iPod. As luck would have it, my company has a corporate deal with Apple, so I can get a (small) discount by ordering direct from Apple.

So, here's my question: What are the pros/cons of the 20 GB iPod, versus the iPod mini?

Here are the stats I'd pulled from Apple's website:

20 GB iPod - $275 (good price???)
5,000 songs
5.6 ounces
2.4 x 4.1 x .57 inches
Apple Earphones
AC Adapter
FireWire cable
USB 2.0 cable
12 hour battery

iPod Mini - $229 (good price???)
4GB Hard Drive
1,000 Songs
3.6 ounces
3.6x2.0x0.5 inches
8 hour battery
USB/FireWire cable

Is 1,000 songs enough? I definitely have nowhere near 5,000 songs on CD rigth now. I guess I could rip some friends' CDs, and buy some from iTunes, but that's a lot of songs.

Can I take a regular sized iPod to the gym? Or is it too big and bulky, versus the Mini?

Basically, I'd like feedback from owners of each, so I can compare and contrast, then pick the one to best fit my needs. I know, I'm a nerd about product research.

Thanks!

 

something to consider...

I have the IPOD mini and love it. its cool, easy to transfer songs, relatively cheap.
However, I used to have the sony network walkman, and it sounds noticeably better then any IPOD comparing exact same songs. Sony uses its own file format so you have to convert the songs to their format. Sony did come out with its IPOD competitor, 10,000 songs for 299 and its smaller then the IPOD mini.

I like the IPod because it has more accessories and its easier to convert but if you love sound quality I would stick with the sony. If I had to do it over again, i would get the sony. Btw the IPOD batteries suck but the sony batteries sucks too.

leonard

 

well if u plan to use it for a LONG time.. the mini uses CF and the ipod uses a hard drive... so there is always a chance that the ipod hard drive may fail

 

wrong, the MINI uses a hard drive as well. It's like a Microdrive, which does use the CF form factor but is still a hard drive. I think it is a Toshiba 0.8 inch drive. I think the Ipod uses a 1.5" drive

 

$229's a good price for the mini. The best I saw elsewhere was $249, and I spent $289 just to get one fast (for an overseas friend).

I like the mini-IPOD. For $229, it'll probably suit you fine until the next generation toy comes along.

 

I just got a new 4G 40GB iPod and I love it. My current music collection is about 5,000 songs and I wanted room for additional music as well as room for computer files and digital photos. As far as size, the regular iPod is definitely small enough to use at the gym. It is certainly not big and bulky. For comparison, it is the same width as an altoids tin but a little taller and a littler thinner. Also, they improved the battery life with the 4G.

 

Thanks for the feeback so far!

I'm definitely open to any other opinions. I just checked out the Sony digital music player, but it's like $399. . . a little out of my range. So anyway, if anyone else can pipe in it'd be great.

Oh, and any other technical info is much appreciated - I never even considered the HD crapping out on an iPod!

 

You want one for free?

http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=7499031

Proven to work by other S2ki members. Im trying to see if it works because I have trust problems but it doesn't cost me anything.

 

Hey,

I've got both a 10GB (2nd gen) and a new mini. I like the mini the best. It fits in my shorts pocket when I'm at the gym and comes with a clip that you can clip onto your clothes. 4gb's is more music than I can listen to in any one sitting. It seems to me that the 20GB and above are overkill unless you're in IT and use it for work (such as copying hard drive images, etc).

-Stephen