[Feckless]

Hi all,

I apologise in advance if this is a stupid question. I checked to see if it had already been asked.

I'm trying to decide between the 4G iPod and the iPod Mini.

I don't think I need the larger capacity of the 4G -- not because I don't have a lot of songs in my library, but just because I don't really see the need to have my whole library with me at any given time.

Is there any reason *not* to go with the Mini? Does the 4G have any features -- apart from larger capacity and theoretically longer battery life -- that are different from the Mini?

And has anyone else made this choice, and if so, what swayed you one way or the other?

Thanks in advance.

[macaddict0001]

I would get the mini but the 4g does have some other features like adjustable audibook speed and new menu options.

[maxintosh]

I thought the whole *point* of the iPod is to have your entire music collection with you, so that you *don't* have to choose what you want to transfer--everything is always on hand. At least, that's the big attraction for me. *shrugs*

[Feckless]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I thought the whole *point* of the iPod is to have your entire music collection with you, so that you *don't* have to choose what you want to transfer--everything is always on hand. At least, that's the big attraction for me. *shrugs*

Well, this is sort of an old debate, isn't it?

Some people agree with you, and find it particularly helpful to have their entire library with them because they travel or are otherwise away from their computer for extended periods. Or they just don't want the hassle of transferring files, or they like the flexibility of being able to listen to any song they own at a moment's notice.

Other people note that you can only listen to one song at a time anyway, and only 8+ hours at a stretch. Or that you'd have to charge the iPod twenty times if you wanted to listen to your whole library. Or that many people don't listen to each and every song in their library with the same frequency, but mostly listen to just a portion of it regularly. Or that many people use the iPod intermittently, while commuting or at the gym or running, so that it would take them a whole year or more to listen to 20,000+ minutes of music (that's a long time to wait to hear your favourite song a second time, incidentally).

All that to say that there are as many whole points as there are people. That's preference for you.

I can see the merit in both sides, but I tend to the second group. I can live with only having half my library with me while I walk to work for half an hour a day. It's a trade-off for a smaller, prettier music player.

I just want to make sure that I'm not missing out on any new & cool 4G features.

[ender2002]

I had to chose. From aesthetics, the mini is superior. Everything looks better. The casing, the screen, the font. everything. It feels solid and comfortable. The 4G looks okay. Its like the older ipods, but some corners were cut to lower the pricetag. remember that the 60 gigger is definately on the way.

[mrtew]

Originally posted by ender2002:
.... but some corners were cut to lower the pricetag. remember that the 60 gigger is definately on the way.

I doubt that corners were cut! I bet iPods cost about $45 to make and the two or three different prices are all about marketing and profit$. How can a big capacity iPod possibly cost almost twice as much as a smaller one as they have always been marketed??? Doesn't make any sense to think that they have to cut cost to keep the prices the same! You don't really believe that stuff about them lowering the prices do you.... they've never lowered the prices.... only raised the capacity.

[drive-thru]

Originally posted by mrtew:
You don't really believe that stuff about them lowering the prices do you.... they've never lowered the prices.... only raised the capacity.

Wasn't the original iPod something like $499 for 5GB?
Now 20GB is $299.

I think your estimate of $45 production cost is a little low. The profit margin on the iPod is probably pretty high (compared to the industry average) but when demand outweighs supply, why not?

[mrtew]

Originally posted by drive-thru:
Wasn't the original iPod something like $499 for 5GB?
Now 20GB is $299.

I look at it more as the top capacity iPod always being $499. Until now when they couldn't get the 60gig ready in time... so it almost appears that the price is lowered but really the top model is just missing temporarily.

[drive-thru]

Originally posted by mrtew:
I look at it more as the top capacity iPod always being $499. Until now when they couldn't get the 60gig ready in time... so it almost appears that the price is lowered but really the top model is just missing temporarily.

Okay, you were looking at the top-end, I was looking at the bottom-end. From what I know, the top-capacity iPod has been linked to the release of larger capacity disks, so it's basically brand-new technology going into the bigger capacity iPods. This, of course, is always going to be expensive because the hard drive manufacturers want to get their R&D costs back quickly.

[StevenWRX]

i sold my mini for a 4g ipod 20gig


the mini filled up way too fast.. and the battery life cant compare to the 4g.


good luck

[Randman]

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
I would get the mini but the 4g does have some other features like adjustable audibook speed and new menu options.

Rumors abound that new software update will offer same options for the Mini as a 4G.

I have a Gen3 40GB model and a Mini and I use both.

I love having all of my music (about 25GB) in one place and I also use the iPod as an extra external HD.

But the Mini is great for using at the gym or riding the bike or when I take the subway to work.

If I had to only get one, I'd get the full-size model, but that's me. My g/f loves her Mini so much we sold my old Gen2 10GB model she used on and off.

[Commodus]

This is one of those "it depends" situations.

I have over 7 GB of music, so in theory the iPod mini wouldn't appeal to me - but it does. I could quite easily create a playlist that kept my favourites at hand while still rotating in the relatively untouched stuff. The only reason I'm getting a 20 GB iPod is because of the Cram & Jam deal, which makes the regular 4G a lot less expensive in the ned than a mini.

[Apfhex]

I chose a mini (still a few weeks to wait ) over the 4G because I certainly don't need that drive space. I currently have a 1G 10 GB model and my iPod library doesn't even take up 1 GB right now. At first, I put almost my whole library on it but there were many, many files that I didn't want to listen to on the go. I prefer to create a decently sized list that contains songs I know I want to hear on my iPod.

Also, well, the mini's size and shape are just so attractive. The colors, too (I'll have blue ). With the rumored iPod software update, the mini will have all the same software features at the 4G, too, which makes me even happier I'm getting one.

[scaught]

i got a 4G 40GB model today!

im quite excited. im wondering if i can fill it up.

the 4G ipod was really the first one that piqued my interest alot after the initial 1G model (which this one replaces). i really didnt like the extra buttons on the 3G model. for some reason the layout on the 1G and 4G ipod is much more intuitive, to me anyway.

anyway. ya. i love my 4G, but the minis are sweet, i must admit.

[Person Man]

Originally posted by mrtew:
I doubt that corners were cut! I bet iPods cost about $45 to make and the two or three different prices are all about marketing and profit$. How can a big capacity iPod possibly cost almost twice as much as a smaller one as they have always been marketed??? Doesn't make any sense to think that they have to cut cost to keep the prices the same! You don't really believe that stuff about them lowering the prices do you.... they've never lowered the prices.... only raised the capacity.

Um, when the hard drives used in the iPods cost $199-$399 retail (OEM deals will be cheaper, but not by THAT much), HOW on EARTH can you say it only costs Apple $45 to make an iPod.

In fact, when the first iPod came out for $399, the 5 GB drive they used by itself cost $399 retail. So, you could either get the bare drive, or the drive plus Firewire interface + music player for the same price, and still use it to store your data files.

[macaddict0001]

I totally agree with person man even with a large order deal the lcd's alone would cost twice that much and the cables's that are included and the other accessorie's would cost more than that alone.

45 dollar's what on earth are you smoking