Can anyone technical minded advise me

teabag29

Right I am at a loss when it comes to modern technology, a mobile phone is about my limit. My son wants a ipod but I have no clue which is the best to buy.

What's the difference between a ipod classic, nano and shuffle and which is the best value for money? Do I have to buy vouchers for them to buy music or can I just download cd's onto it....sorry but as I said it's all above me. Any advice appreciated

flutterbyuk25

Teabag - there is an MSE Techie Board so you may want to repost your query in there, and they should be able to help!

rising_from_the_ashes

Teabag just so you know you're not alone ...... I haven't a clue either!

RAS

On the non-technical side

How much can you afford?
What does he want?
What is he gong to use it for?

When I wanted techie advice I asked younger colleagues.

But the non-technical side meant

1 got a cheap shuffle which lasted until he fell off climbing and wrecked it.
1 got a decent nano because she is a musician and uses it to download a lot of music which she needs to archive properly.

fluffnutter

Get a nano, they're the definitive model IMO. They come in different sizes - 8GB and 16GB. It depends how much he wants to store on there. If he has a very large music collection, and likes listening to new stuff a lot, you might be better off with the 16GB.

In terms of getting music on there, by far the easiest way is to download iTunes (it's free) on to your home PC. You can then use this as a music store and download songs (individually, albums, whatever really) for a fee or you can use iTunes to rip (copy) your existing CDs then transfer the files to your iPod. It's really, really easy.

Here's a link to the Apple store page where you can compare the different products they do. Bear in mind also, that not only Apple do MP3 players. Some people have a bit of a thing about Apple products and will suggest you don't get an iPod at all. I'm really happy with mine, although iTunes itself can be a bit flaky.

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/compare-ipod-models/

thegirlintheattic

He probably wants a touch. It's the only ipod most teens will be seen dead with.

fluffnutter

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

He probably wants a touch. It's the only ipod most teens will be seen dead with.

Yeah, I thought about recommending a Touch but they're about twice the price of a nano! Kids always want the best...

kingfisherblue

If he wants to use it for games, it will be an Ipod Touch. Few teens want a device for music alone.

Have you asked your son which Ipod he wants?

teabag29

kingfisherblue wrote: »

If he wants to use it for games, it will be an Ipod Touch. Few teens want a device for music alone.

Have you asked your son which Ipod he wants?

Well to be fair he's about as technical as me lol, he just wants one to listen to music on whilst he's out n about. Gaming wise he's happy sat infront of his x-box

teabag29

He's not actually a teen just yet, he will be 13 shortly though

fluffnutter

kingfisherblue wrote: »

If he wants to use it for games, it will be an Ipod Touch. Few teens want a device for music alone.

Have you asked your son which Ipod he wants?

Definitely worth knowing what he'll be using it for. I'd ask him first rather than show him the options though... IME, kids inevitably point at the most expensive and argue adamantly that they need it.