okay so i want to get an ipod! i know nothing about them. i want one that i can wrap around my arm for walking/running and i dont need anything fancy but i want a good quality one. are there differences in how much you could download? (in terms of space it holds) i want to be able to download books (music too ofcourse). how do you download books? music? can you delete them after you hear them? what do you recommend? suggestions and help please!!!! thanks!!!

I have an ipod Nano which my mom bought me for my Bday a few years back. It allows me to synch up with iTunes and all the podcasts I listen to as well as music. You have full control over the load/delete functions on ALL mp3 players. It all depends on capacity and features. I like the ipod because it's convenient with my Mac and iTunes. I used to have a generic mp3 player and that worked until I couldn't load more music on it and it was pretty much limited to about 30 minutes.

Now, almost all can accomodate a lot of content. Audio books? Find out how large (in MB) the chapters are. You'll be able to listen, delete and load subsequent chapters once you're done. Again, you have FULL control over what's on your mp3 player.

My wife has a shuffle that I bought her because she doesn't care about what order the songs are. For your purposes, it sounds like a Shuffle would NOT be good for you. Keep in mind that iPod is an Apple branded product and there are 10's of more mp3 players out there that sync with your PC/Mac. Oh, make SURE that the model you purchase is compatible with your operating system (Windows/Mac).

I hope I helped you...

Dave O

thanks dave. i have a hewlett packard computer so would an ipod work with that?

It sure would.

Go here... URL

You can read all about iTunes there and decide if it's good for you and what you're looking for. I know that most big box stores like WalMart will take players back if you're not happy. Be careful about the others and restocking fee/policy etc....like Circuit City, Best BUy and Target...

I believe, that if you do not get an ipod, you can still download content and export it to your mp3 player...I've never done it, but I would imagine that once you have the file, all you need to do is copy it to your respective player of choice.

i dont have an mp3 player. is that something i need to buy also?

thanks for your help!!

Jen, if you want to use ipod as training tool to your running, you will need to use an ipod nano.

I am using the 2nd generation nano with 4M. It was a gift after reaching the 1st marathon goal. Ever since I use it, my running has been improved and I love running more. I have been using it for 6 months already. I love it.

The new generation of nano is better. It is smaller and cheaper. It depends on how many songs you like to store, you can get 4M or 8M. In my opinion, I think 4M will do. It can store about 1000 songs already. On the other hand, the 8M one can store about 2000 songs. It certain can store audio books, etc.

Any PC has a USB port can work with the ipod. The USB port is needed to connect the PC to exchange data from/to the ipod. Nowaday, most of the PC should have built in USB port. You can double check your HP PC.

If you also plan to use ipod nano to train running, you will need a Nike+ device. It is only about $30. It is a little device you hook it to the nano when you run. That is how ipod record your running data.

thanks glovia-do i need an mp3 player? what about a garmen watch-is that better than a nike device? where do i buy the nike device? sorry im clueless about this stuff!

You don't want to ask me because I am kinda a iPod basher..... OK, I won't bash them, I just won't buy them because of the cost... yes, I am cheap, and I also am a geek so I will buy something that may be more difficult to use if it is cheaper.

That being said, the iPod is good, the main thing you have to think about it iTunes, since that is really the only way to work with an iPod - make sure you will be comfortable there. There may be other ways/software, but they are designed for each other and that is what you would want to use.

No, you do not also need an mp3 player if you buy an iPod, they are really one in the same.

Like Glovia mentions, one of the really nice features of the iPod Nano is the ability to add the Nike+ - You can read more about it at that link, but basically it will track your miles and workouts. You put the little devise in your shoes and it keeps track of a lot for you. That is really nice, and would be one of the only reasons I would entertain buying an iPod. This would also be something you could use in place of a Garmin Watch like we discussed in this other thread.

As for an mp3 player, that is an alternative to iPod, and most of them are generally cheaper. They come with software as well, but not to buy the songs, you will have to use iTunes or some other online tool to buy the songs.

I personally use an mp3 player from Sansa, and have two of those, and then aI have bought video versions of the same brand for my kids. I have bought them all refurbished so I only paid about $30 for the one I run and workout with. Mine is a 1GB which is relatively small compared to most mp3/iPods these days, but I have no problems getting all the songs, Podcasts, and books that I want on it since I can remove the Podcast and books when I am done with them.

Most anything you do buy will come with a way to attach it to your arm, but you may want to check to be sure. I am not sure on the iPod, they tend to have a lot of add ons so it may not come with it.

My two cents....

I personally think a Garmen watch is better, but I would be happy to use the iPod Nike+ too. I just think the watch would be more accurate. You should be able to buy the Nike+ at the link above, or I am sure you could Google Nike+ and find multiple places to buy it.

Jen,

I used to own an IPod shuffle... but that carked it.

It's good to use as a training tool, but I would personally recommend a Zune over the iPod now. It's not avaliable here in Australia, but only in America. Though you can buy it over ebay. You can get the new small ones which are basicly like the ipod nano's. Those zunes are flash drive ones insted of hard drives, meaning that if you have a hard drive one and run, then you have a risk of damaging it. Same with the iPod. The Zune 4 or 8 are the ones you'd look for:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune_4,_8

it hols 4 gb and 8 gb successfully. Most songs around around 3 mb each. theres 1000 mb in a gb. So you could hold audio books easily in that. An audio book may be up to and over 50 mb each depending on how big they are.

Ipods have been around for a while, but i'm a fan of the Zune and have done alot of research on it. They sell for around 100 dollars I think. I'm not too sure. But check it out anyway

Go here to see iPod, Zune and other comparisons.

Dave O

Actually here is a better comparson:

http://www.zunescene.com/comparison/

side by side, easy to read

i think, if you jsut want something to put music and books on, an ipod nano or shuffle would be good. a zune is pricey and kind of high end, and does more than you would need.

a shuffle is small, but doesn't have a screen, so you don't know what is playing until you hear it.

a nano is a good one to have, that's what i have, and it holds a good amount of music. about 500 songs for the smallest ones. you can get itunes for free, and either purchase music on it, or download your own personal cds onto it (books can be downloaded too.. i had my italian classes on my ipod)
they have itunes for windows and the ipod is compatible with both windows and mac.
you can always get an ipod, and ask the guys at the apple store (genius bar) to help you, they will show you everything you need to know to use it for free.

According to that link I posted, the Zune 4/8 is the same price as the iPod nano :O. I guess thats what Microsoft done to compete, it was orignally gonna be cheaper, but they're the same price as roughly all the iPods

If you entertain the thought of running, I recommend an iPod nano.

I could NOT live without my ipod

I have a Classic -which is one of them with a hard drive - so not good for running... but I'm not THERE yet, so it's not so much a problem hehe

but it works GREAT for me at the gym - all our cardio machines have a little shelf on them, usually for books, but I use it to hold my ipod - that way I can watch films or my favourite series while I'm training

and I LOVE the fixed bpm podcasts at http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html - keeps me moving and doesn't let me slack off when my mind goes wandering after 3 minutes!

iPod Nano 2nd Gen here.

Love it.

thank you so much. cant wait to get my _____________. i will look into all of the websites when i have more time to read about all of the info everyone sent. thank you thank you thank you!!!!

I just bought my girlfriend an ipod nano for christmas, i'll kinda break down my thought process if that helps.

First off, my girlfriend expressed an interest in having an mp3 she could workout with (ruled out the ipod classic/ipod touch/zune because of their cumbersome size). So, it was between the ipod shuffle and ipod nano.

I know she does not have a lot of music in her collection, less than 200 songs so she probably wouldn't need a 4GB capacity, yet 1GB may be too small. I settled on the 2GB version so that she could put all of her music on there and still have room to expand. Fyi, you can always take songs off of the ipod, so a 2GB version is more than enough for gym-use.

The new ipod nano's have color video screens where the older version have color screen, but do not offer video output. I knew my girlfriend had no interest in watching videos while working out (not to mention the screen is way too small), so I chose a 2GB capacity 2nd generation ipod nano. Also, apple offers refurbished products at a reduced price (LINK , several of my friends have bought refurbished units and they look and play good as new).

On the other hand, I have a 30GB Microsoft Zune, which I think is the great. I have entire seasons of my favorite TV shows, movies, podcasts, whatever on there. The screen is big enough that I can comfortably watch while on a stationary bike, or stair machine. Another feature I really like about the Zune is the ability to play radio which comes in handy every once in awhile.

Another brand that has some impressive mp3 players is Creative. I've owned a few creative models (Zen & Vision) and I liked them both.

I am an Apple fanboi so let me get that out of the way first because my view is probably extremely biased. With that said I have owned:

4gen iPod
5gen iPod Video
2gen iPod Shuffle
2gen iPod Nano
iPod Touch
iPhone

I have loved every single one of them and never had a problem with any of them except for cosmetics some of which have been due to the case.

The arguments above are valid as far as having hard drives attached to them, but with the new iPod Touch and iPod Nanos they have flash drives inside them. Personally I think that the iPod still leads the way for mp3 players. The Zune, although greatly improved with their last update, has a lot to do to catch up.

Yes with the iPod you will have to use iTunes to sync your iPod and music together. You can get iTunes for free from www.apple.com/itunes When you first install it it will ask if you want it to be the default audio player and it will also give you the option to search your hard drive for existing music.

Once that is done all your music will be presented to you on the screen. You can search your music library by song, artist or album. You can create playlists and also buy music/tv shows/movies from the iTunes store. You can access that from the left hand column.

Creating playlists are simple with iTunes, click the + sign on the bottom left and a new playlist will appear in your options on the left hand side, and then you just click and drag songs to that play list.

When you plug in your iPod for the first time it will ask you to register it etc. Then you will see it appear in your iTunes side bar. To configure what you want on the iPod click the iPod logo on the side bar and it will give you a tab list of options. You can sync your whole music library or just certain songs or playlists, once your done configuring what you want on your iPOD just click sync.

It is simple, and I am sure the Zune is just as simple but I have never used it. The iPod nano also works with Nike +.

Good luck in your decision and I hope it aids you in your fitness goals. If you have any questions please ask.

I still have my 2nd gen iPod, aptly named "DinoPod". My husband bought me a newer one and uses the DinoPod, but I will never get rid of it. I even pried that sucker open and put a new battery in when the original battery wouldn't hold a charge anymore.

I have taken both to the gym, run outdoors and on the treadmill, and done weights, and the size doesn't bother me at all. At first, I used a belt clip type of case, but one time my hand caught in the cord (before I learned the trick of threading it under my shirt)and pulled the iPod out of the case. I was running on a treadmill at the gym full of people. The iPod dropped onto the treadmill belt, so I jumped over it to avoid stepping on it, and it shot off the back of the treadmill. I thought for sure it was ruined, but it was still playing when I picked it up. I continued my workout despite my embarrassment.

The same DinoPod sat in the pool of water in my gym bag at another time after my water bottle tipped over in the car when I turned a corner. I just left it to dry for a few weeks, and it worked just fine.

My new iPod has not been through such abuse. I chose the bigger one, because I like to have a lot of music available to me. I take it to work and use it there too. I now have an armband case, and I have no problem at all with the size of it while running or doing whatever. The only thing I haven't been able to manage is doing the yoga videos I download for it.

If you aren't obsessive about having a massive music library available to you at all times like I am, and you want to use the Nike+ feature (something separate you buy), you need to get a Nano. If I had a ton 'o cash at my disposal, I'd buy a Nano too, just for the portability factor. While I don't mind using my big one, the little one would be nice while working out.

As for the software, iTunes is easy to use, like all Apple products. I know the software for my daughter's Sony Walkman was a pain, but I also know other software available for different players is easy too. Some mp3 players (like the iPod) will only communicate with one type of software, and that's not always ideal.

I am not an Apple devotee by any means, but I am an iPod lover. Both my kids have gone through a few other mp3 players, and I wasn't impressed with anything they've had so far, but neither of them had a Zune, and I've heard good things about those.

I would suggest going to the store and comparing for yourself. If you find a salesperson knowledgeable with all the features of the different types of players, it might help you decide.

Yeah whatever you pick jen as long as you're happy with it Mind you now that someone pointed it out, I would love to watch videos on the stationary bike. And the zune does include a radio

Yes, that is one feature the iPod lacks and needs is a radio. Zune wins their... although there is an adapter you can get for your iPod... never tested it though

Yes, the iTrip. The quality is spotty because you have to find a radio frequency that doesn't have a station on that frequency. When you drive around, sometimes stations start to be picked up on the frequency which plays through your speakers right over your music. I guess it wouldn't be a problem in the gym, but I've only ever used it in the car.

Im not thinking of the iTrip. I wouldn't suggest the iTrip to anyone the newest one I got for my iPod video was horrible.

It was the Radio Remote I was thinking of

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/A ppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=98DA5F2E&fnode=home/sho p_ipod/ipod_accessories&nplm=MA070G/D