Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Athens · Mar 18, 2003, 08:29 PM

What I wouldnt mind seeing is a low end iPod that dosent use a hard drive at all, but a memory card for those that dont need GB's of music but like the iPod design and features and easyness to use. Something thats in the 200 CDN or less range

Athens · Mar 18, 2003, 09:20 PM

Prob wont but I dont see it being a bad idea... I would be happy with 128MB Memory Card hehe iPods look great and are easy to use.

icruise · Mar 18, 2003, 09:22 PM

The thing is, the whole point of the ipod is that you can have a lot of songs with you, and quickly change those songs via firewire. If they came out with some cheap version of the ipod that only stored 128MB or so, what would distinguish it from the dozens of other MP3 players that already do that?

Athens · Mar 18, 2003, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by Icruise:
The thing is, the whole point of the ipod is that you can have a lot of songs with you, and quickly change those songs via firewire. If they came out with some cheap version of the ipod that only stored 128MB or so, what would distinguish it from the dozens of other MP3 players that already do that?

except it would be a Mac

and there are 512 Memory cards, you can just change them to hold more songs. I cant afford a real iPod but I dont want these other crappy MP3 players.

G-mac · Mar 18, 2003, 10:13 PM

I think a low-end iPod would be an interesting idea. I think the iPod's selling point is its high capacity, but a memory card driven iPod could be feasible.

First of all, the iPod's ergonomics and looks beat others hands down. Perhaps removable media slots, half the thickness/weight, and a radio transmitter would make it appealing. Add in a sub-$200 price and it may be quite profitable. I think the iPod's looks and usability are what really sell.

I personally would have like a 1-GB or 2-GB version iPod for $150-200, but I ended up going for the 5GB after a year.

The Jackalope · Mar 18, 2003, 10:39 PM

Being that the iPod is Apple's number one money making item, I don't see this ever happening. Unless the drives become so cheap that they can sell 5 gig ones for $150 and still make $100 profit.

mark9939 · Mar 18, 2003, 10:51 PM

Originally posted by The Jackalope:
Being that the iPod is Apple's number one money making item, I don't see this ever happening. Unless the drives become so cheap that they can sell 5 gig ones for $150 and still make $100 profit.

Agreed, Apple's doing just fine with their iPods. Using memory cards, there would have to be a total case redesign and I don't believe it's worth it to Apple.

Athens · Mar 18, 2003, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by The Jackalope:
Being that the iPod is Apple's number one money making item, I don't see this ever happening. Unless the drives become so cheap that they can sell 5 gig ones for $150 and still make $100 profit.

you know the price difference between a 5GB and a 10GB and a 20GB drive is like 5.00 25.00. You are paying extra for the larger drive cuz its larger not cuz it costs a whole lot.

Wholesale hard drives in CDN dollars, 40GB 7200 RPM is 97.00 60GB 110.00 80GB 135.00 not much of a difference between them.

I would def buy a memory card version, its the looks and easy use that make them sell. If apple made a low end one with out a hard drive, people that can afford will still buy the hard drive ones. Those that cant is just a new market for apple to make money on.

icruise · Mar 18, 2003, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by Athens:
except it would be a Mac and there are 512 Memory cards, you can just change them to hold more songs. I cant afford a real iPod but I dont want these other crappy MP3 players.

Get a refurbished 5GB version -- I've seen them pretty darn cheap. Much cheaper in the long run than buying memory cards (do you know how expensive the average 512MB CF card is?)

Athens · Mar 19, 2003, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by Icruise:
Get a refurbished 5GB version -- I've seen them pretty darn cheap. Much cheaper in the long run than buying memory cards (do you know how expensive the average 512MB CF card is?)

512 Card is 145 CDN well wholesale and i would crash the drive in a week, I dont want any hard drive system for off roading and biking

xtal · Mar 19, 2003, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by Athens:
Wholesale hard drives in CDN dollars, 40GB 7200 RPM is 97.00 60GB 110.00 80GB 135.00 not much of a difference between them.

Athhens,

Are you quoting prices for full-size HDs? The iPod, as I'm sure you're aware, uses a compact hard drive, and the price differences are much greater between their capacities.

Todd Madson · Mar 19, 2003, 10:33 AM

Considering that I just bought an iPod last weekend (my second)
for $199 USD it probably won't get any cheaper than that.

bluedog · Mar 19, 2003, 11:04 AM

4GB Compact Flash cards were just announced. But they cost a fortune. Buy three for four of those to put into a new/driveless iPod and we could ALL have more drivespace.

I don't see the cost benefit of this and Apple is not going for a market like that. Small USB media can transfer files, and a PDA can handle contact/other info.

If you want an iPod you want an iPod otherwise go for a portable drive or the usb media.

Athens · Mar 19, 2003, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by xtal:
Athhens,

Are you quoting prices for full-size HDs? The iPod, as I'm sure you're aware, uses a compact hard drive, and the price differences are much greater between their capacities.

Those where fullsize yes i was just trying to show the difference between prices and GB im sure hte iPod drives are more but im also sure the difference between the 5-10-20 is of a simliar difference maybe a bit more.

Athens · Mar 19, 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by bluedog:
4GB Compact Flash cards were just announced. But they cost a fortune. Buy three for four of those to put into a new/driveless iPod and we could ALL have more drivespace.

I don't see the cost benefit of this and Apple is not going for a market like that. Small USB media can transfer files, and a PDA can handle contact/other info.

If you want an iPod you want an iPod otherwise go for a portable drive or the usb media.

Why would I want to use 4GB of flash cards , if I wanted that much space I might as well get a 5GB iPod, a 128- 256 flash card would be more then enough for my, the old MP3 I had was a 64 MB.

Anomalous · Mar 19, 2003, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by Athens:
What I wouldnt mind seeing is a low end iPod that dosent use a hard drive at all, but a memory card for those that dont need GB's of music but like the iPod design and features and easyness to use. Something thats in the 200 CDN or less range

I think you might be happy with a Rio or similar player. Rios really do have a pretty nice design (in my opinion, the iPod's design is based on players like this to some extent). What you're describing is basically a Rio.

Ramza · Mar 19, 2003, 03:05 PM

Or how about this?

http://www.iriver.com/product/detail...name=iFP-195TC

Veeeerrrrry slick

Athens · Mar 19, 2003, 08:08 PM

hey thats not bad... Oh well cant afford a Apple I can always go with oranges hehe

n~s · Mar 19, 2003, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Ramza:
Or how about this?

http://www.iriver.com/product/detail...name=iFP-195TC

Veeeerrrrry slick

"Luxury shiny black color makes you special."

LOL

"Supported O/S Environment : Only for Windows 98 SE/ME/2000/XP "

Athens · Mar 19, 2003, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by n~s:
"Luxury shiny black color makes you special."

LOL

"Supported O/S Environment : Only for Windows 98 SE/ME/2000/XP "

LOL maybe thats why I want a APPLE SOLUTION!

Anomalous · Mar 21, 2003, 01:16 PM

Well, Sonic Blue is bankrupt, according to MacMinute.

I think Rios are still going to be made, though.

Peter · Mar 21, 2003, 01:57 PM

that iRiver thing is fricking weird! I'd keep my iPod any day

"features an industry first 512MB of internal memory"
HAHA My iPod has 10Gb! Beat that

Athens · Mar 28, 2003, 11:53 PM

i would be happy with 512MB iPod using memory cards thats still alot of music, if anything get more battery life too.

im_noahselby · Mar 29, 2003, 03:20 AM

Apple won't release a budget $200 iPod into the market for the same reasons they wont offer budget $600-$999 PowerMacs...

I think if Apple decides to keep the 5GB iPod in the linup they could bring down the price even more to $199 US and $299 Cdn. This would be a very attractive price, but it's looking more and more likely that Apple won't even offer the 5GB version of the iPod anymore, which is a shame because there are people like me who will never use more than the capacity the 5GB iPod has to offer...

5GB - $199 ($299 Cdn)

10GB - $299 (w/ case & remote)
20GB - $399 (w/ case & remote)
40GB - $499 (w/ case & remote)

Noah