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fhoubi · May 31, 2002, 09:37 AM

Well I ordered an iBook 700 Combo last week, hopefully it will arrive at my reseller next week, still having something to spend left 'o).

So what is more fun, trouble-free? ABS+airport or an iPod? I know there are some design flaws with the iPod... (each would come with a discount when ordered for end of june). So, any hints?

Hawkeye_a · May 31, 2002, 10:33 AM

iPod. (dont lie to yourself, you know you want it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> , plus you'll get a free membership to the iPod Army

j/k )

Phat Bastard · Jun 1, 2002, 01:29 PM

I have both and they're both equally fun and trouble-free. I think what it comes down to is which one you'd make more use of.

Do you have a large mp3 collection? Do you need a portable music device? Or do you primarily listen to music when you're at your computer anyway?

Do you see yourself surfing the 'net in various places around your residence? Do you think that would improve your browsing experience?

I commute everyday to school so I NEED something to keep me occupied when I'm not awake enough to read a book in the morning--hence the iPod is great. Plus I have like 15 GB of mp3's.

I live in a big house with many comfortable places to surf the net besides just my desk. I also have a home network with 3 computers on it, so the ethernet wiring would have been a real pain if I didn't have an Airport setup.

Which scenario seems more applicable to you?

mrchin · Jun 1, 2002, 02:20 PM

well, if you just bought your iBook, you should have bought your Airport BS during the same purchase. Apple currently has an offer that gives you $100 instantl rebate for buying the base station with a qualifying machine. This includes the iBook. Offer's good until the end of June. Since it's going to your reseller now, you technically haven't bought it yet. I'd add the BS to your order. You should get the discount and only pay $300 for your BS and card. Save the 100 bucks for later and get the 10gig iPod for the 5gig price.

fhoubi · Jun 1, 2002, 06:55 PM

Thanks!

Life is not easy...

At first it was the iPod I felt in love with... Because my Rev. A iMac does not have a firewire connection, I was thinking of a new one, the iLamp. But it was the iBook that like more, MUCH more in the store... Unfortunately I suffered a big hearing problem on both ears 9 weeks ago due to a concert, and at this moment I am still unable to listen to people talking loud, laughing, dogs barking etc... :o ( But it is getting better... this would be against the iPod right now.

The ABS would be fun, although an expensive one, surfing in my house in any room I want unconnected, without loosing connection to the net. But because I have only a 56K connection, a long telephone cable would do also...

Yes, I did not buy the iBook yet, only the 2nd one which will arrive in the shop would/could be mine. Both discounts for the iPod and ABS run out on june, 29th. Both requires to buy the iBook during the same purchase.

Oh I forgot, for the iPod speaks that, in case I do not like it, reselling it on <a href="http://www.ebay.de" target="_blank">www.ebay.de</a> is a lot easier than an ABS.

Seems I have until beginning of next week to make up my mind...

Montanan · Jun 2, 2002, 08:58 AM

Phat made some good points. I own both of those little toys, too, and I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

They're both trouble-free and really cool to have. Since I've gotten the AirPort setup, I've really gotten hooked on the ability to surf from a variety of spots. (I'm relaxing in bed with my iBook right now, typing this.)

And I can sprawl on the sofa, watch TV, and surf simultaneously. Decadent, but not very productive.

Other than that, the best reason to get the ABS would be if you wanted a quick-and-easy way to network the new iBook with your old iMac. That's way easier than stringing ethernet cable.

OTOH, if you're into music and have a lot of mp3's, the iPod is just too cool for words. I use mine every single day ... its just so well-designed and so fun. If you exercise, or have a daily commute where you'd like to listen to music, the iPod can't be beat.

So these are absolutely both great accessories to have. If I could only pick one, though -- it would definitely be the iPod. I'm in love with the thing.

Paco500 · Jun 3, 2002, 01:49 AM

As another owner of both, I would also sway towards the iPod. Having the AirPort is great, but as you are on dial-up anyway, like you said, the long phone cord is almost as good. And, if you get Broadband later, there are many 3rd party 802.11 base stations that have most of the functionality of the AirPort (no modem or AOL support) and much cheaper. There is even one by lucent (i think) that can be configured w/ the airport software (search this board for the model).

There is nothing that comes close to the iPod. It's just fan-freaking-tastic.

Paco500 · Jun 3, 2002, 01:55 AM

As another owner of both, I would also sway towards the iPod. Having the AirPort is great, but as you are on dial-up anyway, like you said, the long phone cord is almost as good. And, if you get Broadband later, there are many 3rd party 802.11 base stations that have most of the functionality of the AirPort (no modem or AOL support) and much cheaper. There is even one by lucent (i think) that can be configured w/ the airport software (search this board for the model).

There is nothing that comes close to the iPod. It's just fan-freaking-tastic.

kevcarl · Jun 3, 2002, 11:05 AM

The iPod is definitely the more trouble-free product (and it's unbelievably cool). I've got both, and the Airport is really nice, but it has had some quirky behavior. Nothing too problematic, but just behavior I can't explain. The iPod is just too cool to resist. And the firewire connection really puts it head and shoulders above any other high-capacity MP3 players out there. It really does matter. Having to wait for that download stinks. I use my iPod every single day.

Phat Bastard · Jun 3, 2002, 11:39 PM

I think if I had to choose one or the either, I would choose the iPod as well. Look at it this way--you can surf the 'net perfectly fine as it is (albeit it's a little slow--get broadband!), but can you listen to mp3's while you're away from home? Even if you have another mp3 player, it must pale in comparison to the iPod.

Plus you can show it off and listen to your friends go "Oooooohhh, ahhhhh". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

G-mac · Jun 4, 2002, 12:28 AM

I'd go with a 5 GB iPod. Wireless access with dial-up won't be as cool. Besides, finding a cheap Airport basestation or an equivalent (Linksys, etc.) would be easier than finding an iPod cheap later on. If you do a lot of bargain hunting, you could probably get both for $400 - used albeit.

bkolasin · Jun 7, 2002, 01:42 PM

iPod-- for all the reasons everyone has listed here. It rocks. Plus, check out <a href="http://www.mosr.com" target="_blank">www.mosr.com</a> (macosrumors)-- they seem fairly confident that Apple's going to be releasing a faster version of Airport this summer. So get the iPod now-- you most certainly won't regret it, especially if you're into music-- and next time $400 rolls your way go for the upgraded airport. But that's just my $0.02

Bennett

m_brand0 · Jun 7, 2002, 02:56 PM

I own both an iPod (well I did, then someone stole it) and AirPort. I love(d) them both. iPod hooks into my tape adaptor in my car giving me a thousand songs to rock out to as I travel throughout Los Angeles. It's also one of the coolest looking things I've ever seen. However AirPort is so money. Without AirPort I would not be able to take my Powerbook out on the balcony at sunset and download the latest movie trailers. Without AirPort I wouldn't be able to Instant Message an old friend from Nashville while I'm downstairs on the couch watching television. And, yes, without AirPort I wouldn't be able to respond to email whilst sitting on the toilet.

I think the choice is clear.

wulf · Jun 7, 2002, 03:14 PM

I have both.

Airport is cool, but the full effect is lost without a fast connection, besides, once you've got it you don't really notice it because it's out of sight, so...

get an iPod. It's very cool. You can fondle it when you're away from your macs and need an Apple "fix", and show it off and impress girls (well, maybe geek girls anyway

)

CodeWarrior · Jun 7, 2002, 04:46 PM

I have the 10 GB iPod and vote for it (rocking out with Van Halen it work now). I'd also look at the 10 GB instead of the 5 GB if you have more than 40 CDs or want to encode at 160k or higher.

My new PM will do Airport, but carrying it and the 19" monitor is a back breaker.