Buy new iPod now or in January?

bluerabbit

I'm planning on getting an iPod soon, but want to know if Apple might update it at MWSF. If I got an iPod soon, and then Apple updated them a couple weeks later, that would really suck. Also, if the iPods are updated, what do you think the new prices will be?

Thanks,

BlueRabbit

eman

I just got an iPod less than two weeks ago. Couldn't be happier with it. Just go for one now. Don't worry if a new one's released or not.

thuh freak

what else can they do to the ipod?



maybe add memory. is 20gb too small for you? maybe u should cut back some of those mp3s.



maybe the'll change the the scroller to some new [not yet thought of] design. no biggie.



-

basically, the ipod is perfection. all the changes i could bear would be software-wise. i can't think of any hdwr they could chg, except mabye more memory [20 is already too much for me], or some small button alteration [nothin to stress over].

apple.otaku

[quote]Originally posted by thuh Freak:

<strong>what else can they do to the ipod?

</strong><hr></blockquote>



I suspect the next major version of the iPod will support Airport/Rendezvous as demonstrated at MWNY along with iTunes 4. Walk into range of an Airport network and all the songs people have elected to share will appear in a new list on your iPod, ready to be streamed to it for your listening enjoyment.

luca

Apple doesn't update the iPod so often. Released in mid to late 2001, updated in mid 2002. The next update will probably be between May and September of 2003, perhaps to provide compatibility with some new stuff announced at MWSF or MWNY (or wait, there isn't going to be a MWNY 03, right?). Well, something like that.

der kopf

I think they will bump up the hard drives in the iPod, and lower the prices. I don't know how they are now in the us, but I guess they will discontinue the 5 GB model, and sell the 10 GB at its price now. The 20 GB down to the price of the 10 GB and then an all new 40 GB model at the price of the 20 GB.



There are some reasons to say this



* Nomad, or some other MP3 hard-disk player company (which have always been a pioneer) has a 40 GB model for quite some time now.



* Prices for hard disks (even smaller sized ones) have plummeted since the first iPod was released. I mean, you get 120 GB for the same price as you'd have gotten a measely 6 or 12 two, three years ago.



* The price, especially for the 20 GB model is very high for what it is: a consumer electronics device of the Walkman persuasion. Over here, nearly 700 euros, that's more than a month's worth of minimum wages. Now I'm not saying apple should cater it's top end 20 Gig model for minimum wage earners, but it does say quite something if a walkman type device costs more than some people earn in a month.



* Also, I think many people can fill more than 20 GB with MP3's if they try. I have darn near 40 cd's (700 MB ones) full of mp3's, and then some 5 GB residing on my HD (and I haven't even ripped half of my ceedees). You see, that's already (if I know my math well), some 32 GB of indispensible music. - so okay, I guess maybe a top-end 30 GB model might be quite something already, even for me -.



* I have to say: the concept of an iPod is great, I'd love to be able to carry all my MP3's (or at least the a very large selection of the better ones) around with me. I'm sure I'd listen to my albums a lot more than I do now, but they are really expensive (especially so in Europe). It's not that I can't afford one, but they don't sum up in my mind. It resides in small comparisons: the big iPod is the same price as a large television. As the top of the bill clothes-washer. As a fairly-well equipped racing bike. As a more than good-enough hi-fi chain. The amount of money I'd pay for an iPod could land me in Sidney, Australia.

I mean, who can do these small comparisons and buy one without feeling, at least a bit, like bending over and taking it in the hole of the moon?

thuh freak

[quote]Originally posted by apple.otaku:

<strong>



I suspect the next major version of the iPod will support Airport/Rendezvous as demonstrated at MWNY along with iTunes 4. Walk into range of an Airport network and all the songs people have elected to share will appear in a new list on your iPod, ready to be streamed to it for your listening enjoyment.</strong><hr></blockquote>



that would be pretty kewl. but i think that it'd make the 'pod really fat. and its not like grabbing those songs with a fiwi cable is slow or difficult.

mac's girl

i recently saw some place having a special sale with lower prices on the10gig ipods. i thought that was a clue that something else was coming... but who knows. but if they drop the price on the 20G...i'll buy it.

shanksta

I really dont think they would change it for one obvious reason -



The just got a huge stockload into Target and other stores, there's really no need to change anyting hardware wise. They wouldn't implement such a change right after they made the ipod go retail.

matsu

They could add a friggin voice recorder and a mic input to the damn thing, for one. For two, unless you're buying someone a gift you might as well wait. MWSF is a month away, no point buying up Apple's old stock or paying the holiday gouging price if you don't have to.

sully

right now i wouldnt buy any apple products except for the iBook and Powerbook. no one really knows whats going to happen in january, so i think since were so close to jan you should just wait, there is a chance things will get updated. unless you really NEED it now, just chill out and wait . <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />

not unlike myself

I disagree with most of these folks. I say wait it out. Remember, the longer you hold out, the better Apple stuff gets. (whether or not folks around here want to admit it). If you hold out till January and they have no update, you can put off buying it till they do. SOMEDAY it will get updated, and just like I have no intention of upgrading my own home computer until I see G5s, I see no reason to upgrade to an iPod until you 'need' it. If you have enough money to throw at the luxury item, then why are you asking our opinion? You can buy one now, and then sell it in January when an updated one comes out.

stunned

Unless u really need a mp3 player desperately, I would suggest buying the ipod in Jan.



I believe and hope a price drop may be on the cards. If not, a one month delay probably won't make much of a difference.



It would be painful and frustrating if the ipod's specs and prices improved one month after your purchase in december.