My kids have informed me they want iPods for Christmas...do they really want an iPod or another Mp3 player?

Question

Are iPods really the best mp3 players out there?

And if so...which iPod style would be the best for a couple of teenagers?

Answer 1

Think of it this way...say they asked you for Dysons for Christmas...do you think that means that they want just any old vacuum cleaner? Sure, they all suck (the vacuum cleaners, not your kids) but you know if you go out and get a cheapie Eureka bagged dealie, they're going to be upset and disappointed!

Get them the iPod Nano...that's what they're talking about.

Answer 2

Thanks to "A Kinder, Gentler Me" for making the point I was about to chip in with - Imagine being a teenager in the 70s and asking for a cassette player and getting an 8-track?

Under nooooo circumstances make the mistake of thinking they don't know exactly what they want. They do, and you have the chance to be a cool dad, or of blowing it horribly and being the old geezer who thinks "iPod" is just a name for every mp3 player out there...lol, no pressure.

Three things to consider - function, size, style. Function means "go iPod". Size - these days, smaller seems to be better, so the Nano is popular and nicely loseable. Also, get one that has a nice big storage capacity, so you might not have to get them another one next year when current memory standards have been made utterly laughable by new releases. Style is something that's unique to your kids - if they have favourite colours or whatever, look into getting "skins" or covers in those colours for instance - something to make them personal to them. This might also help them tell whose iPod is whos at a glance, and keep misunderstandings and arguments to a minimum.

Answer 3

why don't you just ask them? Odds are they are talking about a real Ipod. They are almost more trendy than functional these days.

From an adult's perspective, you should see if any mp3 play will do. Ipods still have terrible battery life (not between charge time but overall). with average use you will end up having to buy a replacement battery in about a year and it is not cheap.

If they just want a music player, go with another brand. Check cnet.com for product info if you need help choosing.

Answer 4

iPods are hands down some of the best media players out there. Some pros of the iPod:
-Easy user interface: simple menus, iTunes is user-friendly
-Accessories: There is a *huge* market for iPod accessories, but almost no market for all the other players
-Warranty: iPods come with a 90-day warranty, and has a service for such things as battery replacement
-iTunes: A well-established music store, CD copier, and iPod manager, all rolled into one simple-to-use program
And now the cons:
-iPods are difficult to recharge: No AC adaptor comes with it, so you have to leave your PC turned on day and night to get a good charge
-There is *always* a new iPod: I have an iPod nano, and they just came out with colors
-iPods are more recognized by thieves, and are easily stolen

Regarding which iPod model to buy for your kids, only you can tell us. iPod Shuffle is the cheapest, and holds the least (max 1 GB), and has no screen, but is very portable and can act like a flash drive (small hard disk). Next up is the iPod nano, which is appx. 1/3 the size of a deck of cards and holds up to 4GB of data. Further up is the standard iPod, which is larger in both size and disk space than a nano. The largest (and most expensive) is the iPod Video, which has a larger screen, has the most disk space, and costs the most. For more info, see http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipod.html

On a further note, iPods can boot a Mac computer, so if you've got one, an iPod may come in handy!

Answer 5

If they say they want an ipod, they want an ipod. All other mp3 players are only a disappointment in comparison. Apple recently released a newer version of the ipod nano in several different colors including green, pink, black, and white. This is probably your best shot at making them happy! Good luck! ;)

Answer 6

Yes, they probably want a real iPod. They are the most supported mp3 player out there. An iPod nano 2gb would be a good option.

Answer 7

My policy is.......I never spoil my kids during the year. On Christmas? I get them what they ask for.......exactly what they ask for. In this case.......my experience should tell you to go for the iPod.

Two years ago.......daughter said she wanted an iPod. I figured she was 11.....had no clue. *cough* So I bought a MP3 player from "Creative." It was a good one......all kinds of gizmos. But she was sad. Uhm......so was I. It was terribly difficult to operate. Imean as in ..........very complicated when it came to downloading music and retaining the music. Last Christmas I got both girls iPods and it was the easiest thing in the world to operate. Any dummy in boxers can do it!

The price was pretty much the same too.

The nano is perfect. If you don't want to spend that much.........get them the shuffle. But personally........if they are like their dad.......they love music and will run out of room quickly with the shuffle. Go for the nano!!!

Answer 8

Its debateable which is the best. The iPod probably isn't, the software hates to be messed with by other programs, they scratch like hell.

But the 30 gig video is really good. For teenagers you have to consider what they think is better, not what is really better. If they want to walk around with an iPod and feel they couldn't be seen with anything else then you know you're answer.

Ask them, better safe than sorry.

Answer 9

iPods are a little different from mp3's.... I have an mp3 but my sister has an iPod... I like the iPod better though.... I guess u could go with an iPod Nano... they are very popular...

Answer 10

The new ipod Nano's are the newest and they have just been remastered. Im a teen and im asking for one visit apple.com and look there. Hounestly its great. Ipods offer a lot more accerories than any other mp3 good luck, SANTA LOL


Youir Sincerely

Andrew