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Fabiano007 · Jul 27, 2004, 05:54 AM

Hello Folks,

I am a Brazilian Maclover, but unfortunately in Brazil you need to sell an arm and a leg to buy anything from Apple.
I am in love with an iPod, but it's way out of my budget.
Last week thieves broke into my car and took away my lovely Sony CD/MP3 player, and I am not in the mood to buy another... so I was thinkin of an iPod to replace my CD Player and to have music all around :o)
Doing all the possible not to trade a kidney for an iPod, I'd afford buying a 1st Generation 5GB iPod, I have a Forum mate selling one with iTrip and Artic iSkin for around $200 (700 Brazilian Reais), that's still a lot of money for me...
No doubt 5GB is much better than some MP3 CDs to carry, I will be able to take all my music with me and will have some 2GB left, but I have some doubts:
1. Is the 1st Gen. iPod able to Sync my iBook and my Windows XP (itunes) Box (with Firewire)?
2. Does iTrip drain much of battery?
3. Is it really worht buying a 1st Gen or would it better save some more money and get a 2nd or 3rd Gen eventhough I don't need more than 5G.
4. Forget about the iPod 5GB and buy a 10Gb Nomad for US$ 150...?

Thanks in advance, you have always helped me!!!

Mr Heliums · Jul 27, 2004, 06:13 AM

I probably wouldn't buy one simply because the battery might be getting a little old and hold less of a charge. If you have to replace that it doesn't make economic sense.

I'd sell the PC or save to allow you to buy a more expensive or refurb model.

Essentially, it's not the capacity you have to worry about, but the condition of its battery.

ort888 · Jul 27, 2004, 11:28 AM

$200 is too much for a GEN 1 iPod.

For $250 you could get a brand new mini. I'm sure you could find a new 15gig G3 for about the same.

Isn't there some way you can buy one online in the states and have it shipped down? Could you get someone in the states to buy it for you and ship it down? Seems like a better option to me.

Holigen · Jul 27, 2004, 12:01 PM

I dont think its a retailer problem, just crappy exchange rate (please correct me if Im wrong). Therefore it wouldnt matter if he had it shipped down from the states. He would still have to exchange his reals for dollars. As for your iPod problem, let me just clear up a few of your questions:

1. Those old iPods were Mac only so no, you cannot sync with your PC as well.
2. My stepdad has one for his 2G iPod and it doesnt seem to take much battery but I havent used it, just from what he tells me.
3. I would get a 3G iPod, on eBay those things are probably selling like hotcakes right about now. You know, with people selling their 3G iPods and buying 4Gs.
4. Well, the iPod is superior in every way.

Fabiano007 · Jul 27, 2004, 12:47 PM

Let give you a better picture of Brazil:

Apple Brazil sux, here everything is too overpriced, that's possibily the reason why macs are so rare down here.

A mini iPod costs US$ 630 + shipping;
A 3G 40GB costs US$ 1250 + shipping, I was not kidding when I said they cost an arm and a leg.

I tried a retailer "BH Photo" they ship it down here, but...

3G 20Gb iPod = 289.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 174.00 makes 510,00

3G 40Gb iPod = 389.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 234.00 makes 670,00

Much better than Brazilian prices with taxes and everything else, but... still too far away from my budget.

I have to agree with ort888, 200 buck is too much for an 1G iPod...
but what can I do???
I will try to buy it in Argentina, there I would not have to pay the taxes.

Just to let you know how bad things are, some Brazilian Economic Data:
1 US dolar is worth 3 Brazilian Reais.
A standard wage in Brazil is R$ 260.00 (less than $ 90)
A Lucky 'degree-holder' guy gets R$ 1,200.00/month ($ 400)
Want to be amazed:
http://www.apple.com/br/ondecomprar/
Click on "Tabela de Pre�os" (Price List).

Fabiano007 · Jul 27, 2004, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Holigen:

1. Those old iPods were Mac only so no, you cannot sync with your PC as well.

I read on iPodLounge that all iPods do windows with firmware update...
is it right?

gorickey · Jul 27, 2004, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Fabiano007:
4. Forget about the iPod 5GB and buy a 10Gb Nomad for US$ 150...?

Thanks in advance, you have always helped me!!!

No, forget about the 5GB iPod and buy a 2G 10GB iPod for US $150...

Holigen · Jul 27, 2004, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by Fabiano007:
Let give you a better picture of Brazil:

Apple Brazil sux, here everything is too overpriced, that's possibily the reason why macs are so rare down here.

A mini iPod costs US$ 630 + shipping;
A 3G 40GB costs US$ 1250 + shipping, I was not kidding when I said they cost an arm and a leg.

I tried a retailer "BH Photo" they ship it down here, but...

3G 20Gb iPod = 289.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 174.00 makes 510,00

3G 40Gb iPod = 389.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 234.00 makes 670,00

Much better than Brazilian prices with taxes and everything else, but... still too far away from my budget.

I have to agree with ort888, 200 buck is too much for an 1G iPod...
but what can I do???
I will try to buy it in Argentina, there I would not have to pay the taxes.

Just to let you know how bad things are, some Brazilian Economic Data:
1 US dolar is worth 3 Brazilian Reais.
A standard wage in Brazil is R$ 260.00 (less than $ 90)
A Lucky 'degree-holder' guy gets R$ 1,200.00/month ($ 400)
Want to be amazed:
http://www.apple.com/br/ondecomprar/
Click on "Tabela de Pre�os" (Price List).

Thats ugly man. Do what goricky suggested its probably a good way to go...

wataru · Jul 27, 2004, 03:04 PM

I just sold my 5GB iPod for US$125. You really shouldn't be paying much more than that.

nredman · Jul 27, 2004, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by Fabiano007:
Let give you a better picture of Brazil:

Apple Brazil sux, here everything is too overpriced, that's possibily the reason why macs are so rare down here.

A mini iPod costs US$ 630 + shipping;
A 3G 40GB costs US$ 1250 + shipping, I was not kidding when I said they cost an arm and a leg.

I tried a retailer "BH Photo" they ship it down here, but...

3G 20Gb iPod = 289.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 174.00 makes 510,00

3G 40Gb iPod = 389.00
Shipping = 47.00
Import Tax = 234.00 makes 670,00

holy **** balls - that blows. if i ever get a new ipod and my old 5gb is still working i'll sell it to you cheap if you still need one. apple brazil does suck.

Fabiano007 · Jul 28, 2004, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by gorickey:
No, forget about the 5GB iPod and buy a 2G 10GB iPod for US $150...

Gorickey...

Very good idea, just sent you a private message.

Thanks

gorickey · Jul 28, 2004, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by Fabiano007:
Gorickey...

Very good idea, just sent you a private message.

Thanks

Replied.

davecom · Jul 29, 2004, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by nredman:
holy **** balls - that blows. if i ever get a new ipod and my old 5gb is still working i'll sell it to you cheap if you still need one. apple brazil does suck.

Who says it's Apple Brazil that sucks and not Brazil's socialistic government that puts tons of regulations and taxes on Apple in Brazil forcing them to cover the cost of doing business there by charging a lot.

Fabiano007 · Jul 29, 2004, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by davecom:
Who says it's Apple Brazil that sucks and not Brazil's socialistic government that puts tons of regulations and taxes on Apple in Brazil forcing them to cover the cost of doing business there by charging a lot.

I say Apple Brazil sux. So does the government.
The problem with Apple Brazil is not only the price, there is no support, no marketing... btw, I think Apple Brazil is run by Santa Claus... there is no Apple Brazil at all.
Don't believe me??? Try to call them and ask any very very very simple question about anything...
Of just visit any Mac forum here, post a pool or read the ones already posted... 99% of mac user here hate Apple Brazil.
The 1% never needed it or work for it.

Over and out...