Help - which Ipod do I want?

I am totally new to the ipod and would like to get one from Santa this christmas. I want to be able to record my existing cd music on to it as well as downloading from the internet.


Can someone help me decide which one I should ask for? My 10yr old daughter also would like one but Santa (!!) thinks we should share the present as I will only be using it during the week as during the weekend I'm busy with the children and daughter could use it at the weekend.


Anyone?

If you're only using it for music then I'd go for either iPod Shuffle (1 GB) or iPod Nano (2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB). The downside to the shuffle is there's no screen and it plays music randomly. I have a 4 GB nano and it's more than enough for me as I'm only storing music.

If you have more than 200 CDs you'll want to choose from to listen to at an instant's whim, you'll want a full-sized iPod. Otherwise, unless you want to play the snazzy new games or watch videos, you'll do fine with the 8GB nano (up to about 200 CDs, plus photos, album art). If you get a Nano, might I suggest the red one, only available on the Apple website, as US$10 for each one sold goes to AIDS charities. I just bought one today for my girlfriend.


The Shuffle is great for working out, or as a super lightweight backup source of music (about 250 songs). It's cheap too. I just bought one for my 8 year-old daughter and one for myself today as well (I have an old 40GB big iPod).


You get free laser engraving on any iPod you order from the Apple website.

Oh... and I was reminded by something I read elsewhere today...


You really shouldn't consider any MP3 player that's not made by Apple. Anyone who's ever used an iPod for more than a day would agree.

I had a mini, a nano and bought a video 60gb last. I must say I use it all the time, in the car and always in my bag. You will see that with the nano, you might have to update/change your songs a lot. I listen to all kind of songs, depending on my mood and what I am doing ( on a ferry, walking bowen Road, on a treadmill). I like the big Ipod as it has everything on and I always find the right song without too many update. And I love having my photos on it as well, plus my outlook contacts list...

Spoken like someone who's never used an iPod. Am I right? I'd like to see one professional review that shares the opinion that Zen sound quality is better (this opinion is generally held by people who just don't like the iPod "just because".)


FACTS:

The iPod has higer capacity (80GB vs. 60GB)


The (larger capacity) iPod is smaller in all dimensions, and two thirds the thickness of the Zen.


Height: iPod 80GB 10.35cm

Zen Vision M 60GB 10.4cm


Width: iPod 80GB 6.18cm

Zen Vision M 60GB 6.2cm


Depth: iPod 80GB 1.4 cm

Zen Vision M 60GB 2.21 cm


The iPod is 15% lighter

Weight: iPod 80GB 157 grams

Zen Vision M 60GB 178 grams


The iPod is CHEAPER per Gigabyte

iPod: HK$2780/80GB = 34.75/GB

Zen: HK$2400/60GB = $40/GB


The iPod has more acceessories available, is more respected across the industry, is considered to have a better design across the industry, is considered to have a better interface across the industry, is considered to be built better...


Don't be a fool and buy a Zen because someone has a grudge against Apple.


Don't get me wrong. The Zen is a good product. And if you buy one you'll love it, assuming you've never owned an iPod and you don't use iTunes, will never use Mac.


It's just that 99 out of 100 people will say that in most areas the iPod is better. Especially among those who have used both, and among those who are not tied to WMA files (which are considered to have worse sound quality than Apple's AAC).