Justifying an iPod nano versus iPod with video purchase

[Zoidberg]

My wife is hitting the limit on her iPod mini (2G, the 6GB model); I'd like to buy her a new iPod and surprise her with it on her return from her trip.

Now, I was hopeful that the nano would get a bump up to 10GB, but it only got to 8GB. Still an improvement over her current 6GB, but I was hoping for some more breathing room in terms of storage and next upgrade. There's also the matter of cost versus storage -- hard to justify $249 for an 8GB iPod nano when that same $249 will get her a 30GB iPod.

When I presented her some time ago with the possibility of taking my iPod (a 4G iPod with photo), she said it was too bulky and too heavy. She mostly uses her iPod when she goes to work out. I was thinking that maybe the regular iPod this go-round was a little more on par with the iPod mini she's used to.

I've done some side-by-sides on specs:

iPod mini (3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5; 3.6 oz.)
iPod video (4.1 x 2.4 x 0.43; 4.8 oz)
iPod nano (3.5 x 1.6 x 0.26; 1.4 oz)


(FWIW, my iPod (4G) is 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.75 @ 6.4 oz.; very bulky in comparison to the iPod mini)

So I know it's a matter of personal preference. I know she'd like the nano but I think the iPod 5G is pretty close to the iPod mini in terms of size and weight. The nano is impressive and if it was at least 10GB it'd be no competition but I'm thinking that going from a full 6 to just 2 more gigs isn't really an upgrade (beyond the size change in the form factor).

Thoughts/opinions? Just curious.

[Kramerica]

Nano is better for workouts. Flash RAM means you aren't shaking the hard drive around. It's smaller, lighter, and compatible with Nike+ if she might be into jogging.

[DaviDC.]

You'd score many, many more points with a Nano. That cool factor costs more!

[mikebw]

I won't use my iPod (5th gen, 30GB Video) to workout, it's just too big. Not too thick though, it's nicely thin, but it does weigh more than I'd like to have bouncing around on my arm.

I have used (my wife's) 1st gen 2GB Nano for workouts, and that is a much better fit.

8GB vs. 6GB really doesn't seem worth upgrading to me, and if it's mostly for workouts she should really need that much space anyway.

How about the new Shuffle?

[Zoidberg]

I want the new shuffle; she's said that she's "too fickle to not have a screen" so she can change songs.



An 8GB nano it will probably be, then.

[Zoidberg]

Ordered the iPod nano 8GB from Amazon a few moments ago. Thanks for the input, all!

[Chupa Chupa]

[quote Zoidberg]Ordered the iPod nano 8GB from Amazon a few moments ago. Thanks for the input, all!
You (or your wife) won't be sorry. She'll be thrilled.

[Robert M]

Zoid,

I love my iPod Nano 8 gig! Definitely the right choice for me since I use it while working out at the gym. A hard disk based model just wouldn't stand up to the torture of the cardio boxing class I attend three times per week.

Also, I bought the Marware Sportsuit Convertible for my ipod Nano. So far, it's pretty good. I've not used the armband yet but the belt clip is definitely holding up well so far. It's a nicee case overall.

Robert

[incognegro]

how great is the $180 refurb 30GB video iPod?

[RAMd®d]

I agree- the nano was the right choice.

Flash memory, solid case, small size and weight. Particularly for workouts, I see the 30G as much bigger than the new nanos.

You might look into her library and see what bit rate she uses. Without a quiet listen environment with good headphones, she might do well with 128AAC.

If that's what she's using, then maybe setting the nano up for random loading with each sync might keep her content fresh.

I won't give you the "nobody will ever need more than 640K" response, because that's usually reserved for idiots. But I will say that 8G of entertainment is waaaaaaaay more than *I* would ever need for a workout.

Unless it's Girls Wearing Thongs Over Spandex day at the gym.