[blindemboss]

This was brought up after during the initial release of iPods. I think it was about after 30 minutes or so, the iPod would freeze.

I'm wondering if it's still a problem with the latest solid state wheel versions.
This is crucial for me as I'm a marathoner and will use it exclusively for my long training runs.

[velocipede]

I have a 5 gig iPod and run with it frequently. I have found it will occasionally freeze when I'm running, presumably from being jerked around while the hard disk is running. It happens rarely enough that I don't think it would be an issue while running a marathon.

[G-mac]

Hi!

I read in many iPod forums that the 5 GB models are a little better for runners than the larger capacity iPods. Not really sure if that's true. Another thing I read is that some people have noticed the "timed" freezes during the first few months of use. However, they claim that the freezes kind of "work themselves out" after a while and that they haven't had any freezing at all after an initial break-in period. I'm waiting for my 5 GB iPod to arrive and I'm a little nervous because I enjoy running 5Ks and working out.

Take a look at this particular thread and read around in the iPodLounge forums (sorry - no MacNN equivalent!) for more info. Lots of runners frequent the forums with their experiences:

http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/dennx/...num=1034341590

Good luck marathoning and be careful not to splash any water or Gatorade on your iPod!

[G-mac]

By the way,

For that very reason (the freezing problem), I considered the new Rios - especially the 30s and the new rectangular one. They don't have hard drives, so there wouldn't be any skipping. The slightly larger, non-sport one has a media slot for upgrades and the 30s has an FM tuner. Plus, they are both so much cheaper that it would be less harrowing if they were to be dropped or scratched.

However, the iPod is the superior music machine and 5GB of music plus portable hard drive usage made the iPod my final choice.