Tell me why I should buy an iPod over an MP3/MP4 player

davester

VAT is cheaper in the US, but not when you try to ship it to the UK

Marty_J

michaelro wrote: »

The Archos 3 ( along with many other MP3/4 Players) have exactly the same functionality & storage for much less money.
Easier software / Interface is subjective as what someone may find awkward another might not.

If you can do things with the iPod Touch that you can't do with the Archos, I would say that it doesn't have exactly the same functionality. I'm not even going to argue that it has better functionality (as you point out, not everyone wants to play Grand Theft Auto on their mp3 player), it's different.

And not everyone wants an MP3 player that can play games or has a million apps on it.

And not everyone wants a car with a tow bar. But a car with a tow bar still has different functionality than one without.

A particular gripe I have with Apple is that if you go to the Apple.com/US website you can buy a 8GB Touch for $229 (£141) where as if you go to the UK version you have to pay £25 more.

Add sales tax onto the US price (which can be as high as 10%), and the prices really aren't very different.

davester

Best answer would be you have now have a good list of iPod alternatives, decide which fits your needs and go for the cheapest.

michaelro

Marty_J wrote: »

If you can do things with the iPod Touch that you can't do with the Archos, I would say that it doesn't have exactly the same functionality.

I was comparing the iPod to the Archos 3 and any other MP3 Player as it's a more even playing field.

Marty_J wrote: »

Add sales tax onto the US price (which can be as high as 10%), and the prices really aren't very different.

If I lived in New Hampshire it'd be 0%
California is the highest (I think) and even that would come in at least £15-16 cheaper.

That's 10% more!! Does that not strike you as a rip off?
Remember this site is about saving money - How many people go to Quidco et al to save pounds, pence even and you're happy to write off a mininmum of £15 as not very different....:rolleyes:

Marty_J

michaelro wrote: »

IIf I lived in New Hampshire it'd be 0%
California is the highest (I think) and even that would come in at least £15-16 cheaper.

That's 10% more!! Does that not strike you as a rip off?
Remember this site is about saving money - How many people go to Quidco et al to save pounds, pence even and you're happy to write off a mininmum of £15 as not very different....:rolleyes:

But an 8 GB iPod Touch without the VAT is £143, which is $232, a whole $3 more than the US price.

If you don't like paying VAT, it's hardly Apple's fault.

And furthermore, people in the US don't get paid in Pound Sterling, so it's a bit problematic to compare prices like that.

isofa

It's it ironic how people constantly being bang on about saving a few pence / pounds, and are happy to buy the cheapest product to save money, because in their view this is the "best value" only to find in a few years it breaks, doesn't last, etc, and then have to replace it again with another cheap one. Is that really "best value"? Not in my book. It's an utter false economy

Some people can't seem to measure quality.

I enjoy being on MSE, but I'm also happy to save and stump up cash for quality products, be it IT, audio, visual, cars etc. I honestly can't remember the last thing that went wrong or needed replacing in our house.

Still each to their own, I'd take quality each and every time.

The price differential between the US, Europe and the UK is dependant on many factors, some companies, Adobe is a classic example, play on this and sting the UK customer, others do not and rates are based on shipping, FX prices, marketing, some have a flat rate policy. VAT is a totally separate issue.

custardy

isofa wrote: »

It's it ironic how people constantly being bang on about saving a few pence / pounds, and are happy to buy the cheapest product to save money, because in their view this is the "best value" only to find in a few years it breaks, doesn't last, etc, and then have to replace it again with another cheap one. Is that really "best value"? Not in my book. It's an utter false economy

Some people can't seem to measure quality.

I enjoy being on MSE, but I'm also happy to save and stump up cash for quality products, be it IT, audio, visual, cars etc. I honestly can't remember the last thing that went wrong or needed replacing in our house.

Still each to their own, I'd take quality each and every time.

The price differential between the US, Europe and the UK is dependant on many factors, some companies, Adobe is a classic example, play on this and sting the UK customer, others do not and rates are based on shipping, FX prices, marketing, some have a flat rate policy. VAT is a totally separate issue.

agreed,i like a bargain but sometimes you have to pay to get value

Fifer

custardy wrote: »

agreed,i like a bargain but sometimes you have to pay to get value

I'd argue that the only true bargain is where one gets good value. Price should rarely be the only consideration. But that works both ways. Brand and/or high price are not always reliable indicators of value. It all comes down to research and knowing what constitutes value in the eye of the particular customer (you).

asininity

cmatt360 wrote: »

apple offer the service so their products do not end up in landfill - or - some car boot sale.

Plus - they bring a hefty discount to the consumer. Just like the dell refurb store. Something ideal if you need to replace a lost ipod or something

Last time i checked - opinions are like arseholes - everybody has got one. :rotfl:

Seriously - you think it is pants - myself and a few others believe it is a fantastic product. Agree to disagree The take up for anything is never 100%

But if I wanted a refurb I'd buy a refurb. We'll agree to disagree then, and I quite agree there are few others thinking itunes is good.

Marty_J wrote: »

One's taste in computers has little to do with how "sassy" one is.

My taste in computers is purely to do with the cost of said computers, and since apple does nothing for me that a cheaper computer can't being a sassy consumer points me away from apple.

Marty_J wrote: »

That's quite a strong opinion coming from someone who, last time we talked, hasn't "used it in many years".

True true and by all accounts its gotten a lot worse.

Anyway just cos somethings more expensive doesn't mean its better quality.

Many people make this mistake, thats why people buy expensive branded pain relief pills over supermarket own brands when they both have the same ingredients.

My personal opinion on laptops anyway is I'd rather buy 3 laptops in 9 years at a total cost of under a grand, with the benefits of upgrades in speccs than buy one computer for around a grand that is to last me 9 years.

Jaffa.

Funny thing is the cheapest MP3 player in Argos will do the same job as the "iPod"

It's conspicuous consumerism with the branding of Apple, and thats really what your paying for... And thats a shame, because my iPod player sit's in my pocket most of the day.