Hesitent on buying itouch...

[Opeth717]

I've been really wanting an itouch for a while since they've come out how ever I've been on the fence on whether or not to get one for a few reasons:

1. Capacity- The highest capacity is 32bg which I know is going to be less, maybe around 28 or 29, I've already got 21 gigs of music and usually add a new band/album every week so I fill up my library fairly quick. With the movies I have my total usage comes out to be around 27 gigs. So would it be a good idea to drop around 400 dollars if its going to be full within a month or two? If not does anyone know if Apple is going to be releasing a bigger capacity itouch anytime soon?

2. Reliability- How well constructed is the itouch? Like what are the major problems/complaints if any that I should be worried about or look out for. Does it die quickly or is it long lasting or somewhere in the middle?

3. Battery life- How well is the battery life when it comes to audio and video? I've heard mixed claims from some of my friends. One says over 30 for audio and the other said only about 23 (but he had the first gen). And I've heard the video is usually 6 hours which is fine.

Any and all suggestions/advice will be appreciated. Thanks for any help.

[Astro_Digital]

1 I know 32 Gigs is way too small, will not have anything new tell September. Mind you just because every year is the past new iPods came out in September but nothing stops them from releasing something next week. $400 is way too much money I agree.

2 I would say really reliable, mind you I treat my Touch very nice.

3) 6hours, 30 ok I guess but I never run mine until it is completely drained. I watched a full length movie listened to music for 9 or 10 hours and have charge left and that is good enough for me. BUT KEEP THE WiFi off when you are not using it.

[Opeth717]

Yea guess Ill either have to wait or get rid of some music I don't listen to and drop the movies till a large one comes out and the WiFi has a switch right? Kinda like the hold button on the other ipods? And I usually don't charge my ipod till the battery is in the red cause I know the more often I charge it the faster the battery capacity will drop. Thanks for the advice

[iTouch_myself]

1) 32GB is not really enough for you.
2) They are quite durable. A drop from hand height to the floor outside will damage it fairly badly, but the screen is durable against things like coins in pockets etc. GET A CASE!
3)Battery life is reasonable. Poor when watching films, even poorer when streaming video from WiFi, but acceptable when just listening to music.

And, no, the WiFi has to be turned off in settings, but the hold switch that turns the screen off turns it off too, provided nothing is being downloaded.

[LynchMOB]

1) Any size is good for you, do you really need to carry every song and video you own? I have over 20,000 songs and 200+ gigs of video in iTunes. I have a 32gb 2nd Gen and its less then half full. I have had it for 2 months and have never listened to a song on it... mostly used for games, videos, email, internet, calendar.
2) Its a very impressive device, not problems, seems durable, has no moving parts.
3) Battery life is reasonable... could be better, could be worse. Games and wifi will drain the battery quicker then you would like.

[mizzle]

yeah it all depends on if you want every song and album with you at all times. If that is the case you may want to look into getting a classic. It is solely a music player but you'll have plenty of space. Personally I would sacrifice some of my music for the added features of the touch. Also look into getting a 1st Generation if you want to save money. I think Best Buy has the 32GB 1st Gen ipod touch for 309.

[paranoidxe]

I'll break it down:

Video/Music/Battery Life are your primary interests - Classic [despite the larger screen for video the capacity just isn't there]

Games/Apps/Limited Video/Internet - iPod Touch

I'm probably in the minority but my iPod Touch gets used the LEAST out of all my iPods. Having to pull it out to change songs/volume irritates me and the capacity isn't high enough to use as a video device.

[LynchMOB]

I would disagree that the Touch does not have the capacity for a video device. Its rated at 5 or 6 hrs video playback. I currently have 1 full length movie, 12 episodes of Dexter, 7 episodes of Breaking Bad, 7 Family Guy episodes & 11 King of the Hill episodes. That is way over 20hrs of video I am have on the ipod and its half full.

EDIT: I should add... I dont have large spans of time for video watching so 5hrs is way more then I need... plus I can sync or charge the Touch almost anytime. So YMMV

[kornchild2002]

Well, factor in music along with music videos and 32GB of storage really doesn't leave a whole lot for movies. I had a 2G 32GB iPod touch that I sold. Part of the reason why I sold it was that the capacity just wasn't enough. I could carry around about 3500 songs, a few movies, a couple hundred pictures, and a handful of music videos. For me, this just wasn't enough to carry around. There are times when I go for days without being able to sync my iPod to my music library and 3500 songs can get really repetitive after a while. That and there were sometimes when 6 hours just really wasn't enough time for video playback.

That is why I purchased the 120GB iPod classic. I can carry around my entire lossy library, all of my music videos, all of my photos, all of my movies, and I get about 8-9 hours of video playback. I can turn the backlight all the way down and get over 10 hours of video playback, this is something that the iPod touch just can't do.

The last thing that irked me about the iPod touch was it's price. Other companies (such as Sony) have similar products that are much less expensive that what Apple is charging. I see no reason why Apple is charging $400 for a device with 32GB of storage. I realize all the technology that goes into the iPod touch but a 32GB SDHC card can be purchased for about $100. I don't think that the 2G 32GB iPod touch has $300 worth of technology in it to jack the price up that much. I have a new Eee PC that was purchased for $350. It has 16GB of solid state storage (but I purchased a 32GB SDHC card), 1GB of RAM, and a battery that gives me about 6 hours of wi-fi browsing on a single charge.

In order for me to purchase an iPod touch, Apple will have to compete with these netbooks in terms of price and battery performance. I know that netbooks are bigger than an iPod touch (my Eee PC is the same size as about four DVD cases) and the two are in different tech categories but why would I spend $400 on a device when I can spend less on something that is more powerful (my Eee PC can play 720p mpeg-4 AVC/WMV-VC1/Divx/Xvid videos just fine) and lasts longer on a single charge?

[Astro_Digital]

I am thinking about selling mine too for the same reasons.

Good point about the price I have been looking at netbooks too.

[Code Monkey]

...but why would I spend $400 on a device when I can spend less on something that is more powerfulBingo.

I find the iPhone OS products interesting as a spectator, but I don't really grasp what it is that makes them as successful as they've been. Is it that the average buyer makes enough money that their dubious value doesn't matter? Is it that the average buyer is a easily swayed pawn of corporate marketing? Is it that the average buyer really wants the mini-computer features in a small package and doesn't mind the price premium or trade offs? Is it that the average buyer is really, really impressed by shiny things?

From where I'm coming from, you're paying somewhere between $50 to $250 more than either the nano or classic products but simultaneously losing what makes these two products "sing" (ultra slim physical size in the case of the nano or great capacity in the case of the classic). All you gain for this dual sacrifice plus price premium is the applications and internet features, and that's where the platform loses me. Yes, you can browse the web on a 3.5" screen, but is that what you really want? Yes, you can run lots of proprietary programs that may or may not be an arguably decent value. However, as you point out, netbooks are available for considerably less than what a touch costs you and give you access to a much, much, much superior internet experience and the same software you already own. I mean, sure, there are those times when I might really need to look something up on the go, but my $50 TrakPhone will let me do that (and more reliably than a touch I'll add). It just seems so obviously a "Jack of all trades, master of none" product that I'll be scratching my head until the price and performance catches up with the shiny novelty.

For the price of an 8GB touch, you can have a full blown portable computer. Sure, it's almost 4lbs heavier and it's sure not going to fit in your pocket, so I get that this is sort of like arguing the iPod mini versus the full iPod back in 2004, but it's only sort of like that. The features that make the touch different than the classic or nano are not full fledged - it's not just a question of dollar per gigabyte of capacity we're talking here - the novel features are significantly limited due to the constraints of the device. If what I really value is the internet and programs on the go, I'd so much rather have a 4lb netbook for $300-$400 in my backpack than a touch in my pocket, and if I don't really value those features, I'd so much rather have a nano or classic in my pocket for considerably less money and better, more focused media playback features.

[Ljazz]

This is the analysis that I am currently going through. I DID purchase a 32GB Touch and am evaluating it, but have a period of time to return it if I decide it's not for me. I had a very difficult time deciding whether to get it because of the cost/value analysis, but ultimately decided to give it a try due to the lack of risk if I wanted to return it. Now I need to decide if I want to keep it.

In my case I commute to work every day and do not (and won't) pay for a phone contract so a smart phone isn't happening. With the Touch I can pop into a local wi-fi spot at lunch and check e-mail (I can't check from my office because it's blocked for security). I can keep my calendar and a few other applications that I used to have on my Palm. I can listen to music during my commute and check out a video (which can be done easily with another, less expensive device ... although the Touch offers a nice screen). And there is no question that the touch interface is slick. I can do all of these things and not add to my already heavy load (with work papers, lunch, etc.).

Nonetheless, I need to consider whether I wouldn't just be better off foregoing the e-mail check until I get home, continue using my old Palm which is pretty light and just buy a Classic so I can have ALL of my music with me at the same time (and I've got quite a bit). Certainly this is the more practical and cost effective answer, but sometimes practicality isn't the best approach. So my contemplation continues ...

[gerwen]

The arguments voiced by Kornchild and Code Monkey are all valid and need considering before buying one.

I'm on the other side of the argument however. I use my Touch more than any gadget I've had before it. When i wake up, i check the weather before getting dressed to decide if i need a sweater, or something lighter. When watching TV, and I feel like i absolutely need to know who that actor is and where i saw him before, whip out Wikiamo and find out. I use it to store my shopping lists when I'm running out for a few things. I keep a to-do list on it for around the house. I keep notes that contain books, movies, and other things that i want to check out, so when i'm at the bookstore, etc, the list is in my pocket, and not on the counter at home, or on my laptop (netbook). I use the timer when i'm doing laundry so i can get back to the load when it's done, rather than when i remember. If i think of something i need to buy, i can stick it in my shopping list right away, because it's in my pocket wherever i am. Games are good time wasters on coffee breaks, or waiting in the dentist office.

Oh yeah, it's a great iPod too, with a fantastic interface, and a capacity between the nano and the classic. It's size lends itself well to always being in my pocket, wherever i am, so the features above are always at my fingertips. Does any other device do all of that in a similar small package? I'm not sure, i don't know of one.

I'm no apple fanboy, the Touch is the only thing apple makes that i own, or am likely to own in the near future. I love this thing to death though. It's about the coolest gadget i've ever owned.

Sure was expensive though, 400 bones is a lot cash for this thing. Steep, but well worth it imo. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

[kornchild2002]

I'm on the other side of the argument however. I use my Touch more than any gadget I've had before it. When i wake up, i check the weather before getting dressed to decide if i need a sweater, or something lighter. When watching TV, and I feel like i absolutely need to know who that actor is and where i saw him before, whip out Wikiamo and find out.


I can see where you are coming from. You wanted an all-in-one device with some PDA functionality that could fit in your pocket. There is no way that you could conveniently carry a netbook into a store just to look at your grocery list. I use my netbook quite a bit and I am lucky that it is small enough. I actually have a couple pairs of jeans that allow my netbook to fit in their pockets. I would never do this but it is comical. However, an iPod touch is worlds smaller than my netbook (which is already small enough). That is why I think the iPod touch is the better investment if someone wants an all-in-one device that includes iPod functionality and quasi-PDA features. That being said, for someone who already owns an iPod, I think a netbook would be a better choice. Not only are they less expensive but they can last longer on a single charge (for wi-fi browsing) and come with more features.

Nonetheless, I need to consider whether I wouldn't just be better off foregoing the e-mail check until I get home, continue using my old Palm which is pretty light and just buy a Classic so I can have ALL of my music with me at the same time (and I've got quite a bit). Certainly this is the more practical and cost effective answer, but sometimes practicality isn't the best approach. So my contemplation continues ...

Understandable. The ability to pop over to a location and browse the internet using wi-fi is an attractive feature of the iPod touch. Have you thought about a netbook. You can get a Linux powered netbook for around $200 that will give you about 2.5-3 hours of internet browsing. These netbooks run the full version of FireFox and give you access to Java, HTML, and Flash. Just another thought.

I mean, sure, there are those times when I might really need to look something up on the go, but my $50 TrakPhone will let me do that (and more reliably than a touch I'll add).

The funny thing is that I Alltel gives me approximately 3 hours of data browsing a month for free (I don't know if it is free but it is part of my plan, of which I didn't want a plan that would charge me more for data as I don't have a smartphone). I always carry this one 3" USB cable with me. I then plug my cellphone into my netbook and it allows me to access the internet at about 1.5Mbps anywhere I get a digital signal, speeds are increased in other areas (just not 3G). So even then I am covered as not only will browsing the internet be better on my netbook but I can get the internet at locations where the iPod touch can't. I realize that not everyone has this situation but it was another reason for ditching my iPod touch.

I hate to sound like the netbook advocate here but they are becoming quite the devices. They were originally priced way too high but now the majority of them can be purchased for around $300. Even a Dell Inspiron Mini (which was previously one of the most expensive netbooks) can be purchased for $250 with Ubuntu and $300 with Windows XP. Both of these models can last for about 4 hours while browsing the internet using wi-fi.

[Ljazz]

Have you thought about a netbook. You can get a Linux powered netbook for around $200 that will give you about 2.5-3 hours of internet browsing. These netbooks run the full version of FireFox and give you access to Java, HTML, and Flash. Just another thought.


Yes, I actually have given it a lot of thought. They offer a lot of power/options for a very reasonable price. As much as I try to convince myself otherwise, however, I just don't think they are really small enough for my intended use. I don't really see myself walking around with a netbook.

I think gerwen about summed up all of the reasons I ultimately settled on buying a Touch. As an all-in-one device it's great and there are all kinds of things I can think of that I would use it for in addition to what I originally intended, simply because it is so small and I would be more inclined to take it with me everywhere. The only thing that keeps me from being completely satisfied is a nagging feeling that it is overpriced. On the other hand, as gerwen points out, I don't think there is another device that does everything it does in such a small device (yet is large enough to be functional). I guess that is why they are so popular... and until another company gets somewhere close to the following and application support that the Ipod has, Apple will be able to command a premium.

[gerwen]

I can see where you are coming from. You wanted an all-in-one device with some PDA functionality that could fit in your pocket. There is no way that you could conveniently carry a netbook into a store just to look at your grocery list.
<snip>
That is why I think the iPod touch is the better investment if someone wants an all-in-one device that includes iPod functionality and quasi-PDA features. That being said, for someone who already owns an iPod, I think a netbook would be a better choice. Not only are they less expensive but they can last longer on a single charge (for wi-fi browsing) and come with more features.

Agreed, it's a personal decision based on what you need, and what you already have.

[DaveS]

I have both the 80gb Classic and the 32gb Touch (second gen). I got the Touch mainly to replace my PDA, but also with the thought of replacing my 80 gig Classic at the same time. I was worried about the lack of capacity, but the integrated wi-fi and the number of really fantastic internet music services has made that a non issue for me. If I didn't have wireless access at my office, the capacity might be an issue however. I actually went almost a week before I loaded any of my MP3s on the Touch and I still had plenty of music to listen to.

One of the main reasons I wanted the Touch was for better video playback. The Classic does a decent job, but there is no comparison to the Touch. Try watching a letter boxed movie on the Classic and then try it on the Touch. The experience is so much better on the Touch. If video is a concern and you like your movies in wide screen formats the Touch is the better device. I honestly like the click wheel interface on my Classic much better than the Touch's, so for a pure music player the Classic is a better device. For me, the video, applets, and wireless trump what benefits the Classic has to offer so I can live with the interface issues. I have to echo the earlier comments and say this is by far the coolest and best realized portable device I have ever owned. The cost of ownership is high, but I haven't regretted the purchase for a single moment since I got it.

Dave

[moonglow]

[QUOTE=kornchild2002] "...There are times when I go for days without being able to sync my iPod to my music library and 3500 songs can get really repetitive after a while. That and there were sometimes when 6 hours just really wasn't enough time for video playback..."

Seems a kind of a big call, that's between 2 and 300 hours of music playback time, over 8 days of 24 hour listening, and I'm guessing you sleep and shower sometimes...so over a week without having to hear a song twice without syncing... and syncing an charging are different issues - besides, my classic has never had the battery life of my touch, for any purpose!

Good use of smartlists would make sure you've always got a good blend of your favorite/most listened to tracks onboard along with some sounds you haven't listened to for a while...

The only reason I still carry my classic is for when I'm providing music for parties and people start moaning about, oh you haven't got <insert inane pop artist title here>, and I can pull out of collection of music that I wouldn't have bothered with on the touch....

I did have the space reservations about the touch initially, but having had it for a wee while now, I think its added functionality over the classic makes it a great thing to have in my pocket at all times...

However, it does take a change in the way you use it from the classic, like I said above, I don't try and carry everything around anymore and have spent a little bit of effort tidying my older album id3 tags to keep the smartlists operating well, my basic smartlists are new albums I haven't played to death (less than 5 plays), all stuff rated above 4, a sampling of anything I haven't listened to at all, a sampling of anything I haven't listened two for over six months... an the usual genre, music to get angry to etc stuff...

used well I really don't think the space is the main drawback of the touch... but then that's me, to each there own I guess...

[kornchild2002]

Good use of smartlists would make sure you've always got a good blend of your favorite/most listened to tracks onboard along with some sounds you haven't listened to for a while...

Oh, smart playlists, that could have solved my problem. Silly me. I thought my issue was that my "greatest hits" playlist is about 6000 songs long and I want to carry around all my lossy files, music videos, a few seasons of South Park, and over a dozen movies. I didn't realize that smart playlists could solve all of this for me by squeezing down 106GB worth of content I want to carry around so it could fit on a 32GB iPod touch.

P.S. The iPod classic (120GB and 160GB) do last longer than the 2G 32GB iPod touch. It is common knowledge that both models last longer than Apple's advertised specs. Sure, you will get less than 36 hours of audio playback if you use lossless/WAV content and constantly change songs. However, my 120GB iPod classic can last for over 40 hours when playing music. This is something that could never be done on a 2G 32GB iPod touch.

[moonglow]

Sorry, my bad, I got the impression your issue was that only having 3500 songs to listen to for a few days was too repetitive for you...

It just seems unuseful (is that a word?) to bag the touch just cause it doesnt suit how you want to use it - when you're saying that you want to take your whole house camping with you ... sure it can be annoying being away and wishing you'd packed the campari as well as the gin, but how often would you use it if you did pack it? I hate deciding which to take away out of my guitar, my camera gear, my skateboard, books, surfboards etc when I go away for a couple of weeks, but its kinda nice to focus sometimes too...

I find it a great tool for feeding me music from a large collection, in some ways it makes me think about my listening preferences more than the classic since I do have to limit what I take...

I guess I was more responding to the author of the thread being hesitant about buying a touch - and maybe this is useful discussion - is the space restrictions a serious limitation... and seems it is for some and not for others...

[kornchild2002]

Sorry, my bad, I got the impression your issue was that only having 3500 songs to listen to for a few days was too repetitive for you...

It is. Hence my need to carry around more music.

It just seems unuseful (is that a word?) to bag the touch just cause it doesnt suit how you want to use it

Umm... Isn't that the whole point of not liking products? It is not like I wasn't using the iPod touch for other purposes, I was using it as intended. The capacity and battery life just weren't enough for me so I "bag" on the product? Am I going to praise the iPod touch when it doesn't suite me? No, I would have to be a blind Apple fanboy to do so. I can understand your product if I was complaining about the iPod touch not being a good car but I never tried to use the iPod touch as a car.

when you're saying that you want to take your whole house camping with you ... sure it can be annoying being away and wishing you'd packed the campari as well as the gin, but how often would you use it if you did pack it?

I would rather have the option to have all of my media (I don't know how you can compare digital files that can fit on a device smaller than a pack of cards to something as big as a large Greyhound bus) than have to pick and choose what I want to carry around.

I hate deciding which to take away out of my guitar, my camera gear, my skateboard, books, surfboards etc when I go away for a couple of weeks, but its kinda nice to focus sometimes too...

Well, if you want to still to misuse that analogy, that is what the iPod classic does. It allows you to carry everything around not having to pick and chose. So it seems like the iPod classic would be good for you.

I find it a great tool for feeding me music from a large collection, in some ways it makes me think about my listening preferences more than the classic since I do have to limit what I take...

I guess "thinking" about the music you carry makes it better. :rolleyes:

I guess I was more responding to the author of the thread being hesitant about buying a touch - and maybe this is useful discussion - is the space restrictions a serious limitation... and seems it is for some and not for others...

I can understand that but you tried to quote my thread making your statements a directly reply to what I previously said. I still don't understand what you initially said (your second quote in my post).

[moonglow]

Fair enough, you're right that not all of my comments are specific to you - I was only quoting your comment about 3500 songs over a few days being repetitive, the rest of what I was saying was more to the thread as a whole, which doesnt work that well when I start with a quote.

I mean you're right, if you want to carry around 160 gigs of stuff, you need a classic, but even then its too still small in many cases to carry your entire collection - and that's without even including music. I have a 60 gig 4G, it's been great, but I never got through listening to anything close to all the music on it in the space of a few days - hell it took me a month or two to play every song and rate them, although you're right, I didn't need to sync much! :)

when I recently had the cash to upgrade, I was torn between the 160gig or the touch. In the end I decided for the touch for that reason. I'm home most days, I can sync easily which I think helps keep my entire collection in rotation. It's not that I think having to think about how I get itunes/media monkey feeding my touch with what I want to hear makes the touch better, but I do enjoy getting a bit more reflective/smarter about how I'm using smart lists, cause I didn't really have to bother much before...

I guess my point about use, an you're right, its not directed to you, but more to others that were generally saying that the space on the touch is a major limitation is that the suitability of the touch is dependant on your purpose. If you've a burning need to walk around with more music per genre than you could listen to in a week in your pocket, the touch is probably too limiting. However, if you're happy with around 300 hours of music, half a dozen moves, apps, carrying a heap of features around in a pretty accessible and easy to use device, then give the touch a go....

I'll agree that I thought of it it as just a bit of a gimick until I played with a friends over xmas, but I was impressed. When I got one and got to know it even more, I was stoked.

[Flyboybob]

You guys are missing the point! If you want a pocket size device that is somewhere between a PDA/Smart phone and a music player then buy a Touch. It's basically an iPhone without the phone. If you have a very large music or video library, then get the classic. You don't have to carry all your music with you all the time, unless you are going to spend six months in Antarctica.

I am considering one because my company supplies me with a free cell phone and I use a Palm Z22 PDA to keep everything organized. I also have a first generation 4 Gig iPod Nano which still works very well. The Touch can't do everything that the palm does, but it does more than what the old nano and does. I also have a large music library, but I manage it manually swapping songs on and off the ipod.

[Code Monkey]

You guys are missing the point!... No, I/they get the point, we're just not 100% convinced the point is as on target as some boisterous fans and Apple's marketing would have you believe.

Look, I don't even get the iPhone - what the data plan alone costs per year will let you buy a decent new laptop or a fairly good desktop annually. Me and my wife somehow manage to do just fine with one $50 TrakPhone that costs less than $10/month in usage.

Everything has its costs, its perks, and its detriments - that's not news. What matters is if when you total all those things up (and having not either ignorantly or deliberately failed to factor in all relevant points) you get a final answer that makes sense to you. There are certainly those for whom the touch will makes sense, but I think if you're finding yourself hesitating at springing for one, there's probably a good reason since there are alternative solutions that may make a lot more sense.

[Flyboybob]

The reason I am reluctant to buy one is because my PDA and iPod are working just fine. I don't want to spend the money until one or both of them are not longer usable. Yes, there are always cheaper ways to go. You can certainly get from place to place in a Toyota Yaris just as well as in a BMW for a lot less money. The journey is the reward. Some people are willing to spend their money on an iPhone or iTouch while others will go for one of the many cheaper alternatives. If you want the features, connivence, fun and status of owing one, then it will cost a few extra dollars to play in this ballpark.

[Opeth717]

Well I went threw my library and deleted a bunch of stuff I don't listen to anymore so now I'm around 19 gigs, so I might be getting it for my birthday but I'm still wondering cause if a larger capacity is going to come out in the fall then I don't know if i'll have to pay full price to be able to upgrade.

[kornchild2002]

Well, when an updated/new iPod touch is released, you will have to pay full price to upgrade. Apple does not have a trade-in program or anything like that. So you can spend $399 on a 2G 32GB iPod touch for the iPod now. However, Apple could release a 3G 64GB iPod touch for $399 this fall. You would have to pay $399 to get that new model. Thus you would have spent over $800 (by the time tax is included) to get two iPods this year.

You could sell your old iPod online but this wouldn't be through Apple. You would have to go through eBay, Amazon's marketplace, or some other online service that allows you to sell your stuff.