Here's my dilemma.

I need a new iPod. I'm getting one. Not only is the screen on mine all screwed up (not terribly, but it's annoying enough), but it's now full. It was a 60 gig one that I got 3 years ago. I'm tired of trying to decide what to take off when I want to put more stuff on.

Apple, until sometime in the middle of last year made a 160 gig iPod classic. I want one of those They don't make 'em anymore and have replaced the 80 and the 160 with a 120 gig model.

Here are the 3 factors weighing on my decision.

1) On the Apple website, they sell refurbished 160 GB iPod classics that have been refurbished. They come with the same warranty as the others. From everything I've read, they're supposedly just as good as a brand new one. They're selling it for the same list price as the new 120 GB model.

2) Circuit City is liquidating its inventory and the local stores here still have quite a few of the 120 GB model. They're 10% off at the moment, and hopefully they'll still have them when they bump it up to 20 or 30% off.

3) I just know that as soon as I buy one, Apple will announce a bigger model of the iPod classic, probably with storage of even more than 160 GB.


So. Has anyone ever dealt with a refurbished iPod? Have you had any trouble with it? Does anyone know if Apple are already planning a new line of models?

I have until mid-February when I get my income tax refund to make my decision, because I know that as soon as I've got that, I won't be able to wait any longer and will be buying one whatever my reservations.

Can anyone help?

Thanks.
[Edited 1/25/09 1:45am]

errant said:

I have 2 ipods, both new, and never worked well from the beginning. Both have gone in for repairs under warranty, and they were further messed up after the fact. Apple sucks, never again for this girl. I now only listen to my Sony flash mp3. It's limited with space and less features but at least it works perfect.

I have two iPods one 80G and one 16g touch.
I've never had any issues with mine other than having to unfreeze/reset the 80G a couple times.

but like you said errant it seems when you decide to shell out the money for one then something better comes out.

errant said:

This is very doubtful. The 160-GB iPod was discontinued because there weren't enough people buying it. I highly doubt Apple would then make an even bigger one. I would buy now if I were you.

But has anyone bought a refurbished one?


errant, I'm basically in the exact same position as you, and really wish I bought a 160 gb when they were still readily available at retail.

AlexdeParis said:

People weren't buying it because it cost $100 more than the 80 GB and it was a double platter hard drive. When the 120GB single platter became available, they went with that because it was possible to keep it slim. Why they didn't just make it a double with a total of 240 instead of discontinuing it I don't know. Since when do people seek out LESS hard drive space?

Cinnie said:

so yeah, has anyone bought a refurbished one? because if it's supposedly as good as a new one, then that's probably what i'll do, unless circuit city can tempt me with $50 to $75 off the price of a 120 by the time i'm ready to buy.

errant said:

When many people began to realize they didn't need and/or want all of their collection available at all times. It was certainly a revelation to me when I first bought my iPhone. I'll never go back to a disk-based iPod as my primary music player. Flash is the way to go. I'll upgrade to the next iPhone when/if it has 32GB of memory; that'll be enough for me despite my 100+ GB iTunes library.

errant said:

now you got me thinking about getting a 120/160G
i want one with everything on it and one with a smaller memory for what ever is cool in my life at the moment.
[Edited 1/25/09 12:02pm]

errant said:

Cinnie said:

One time, i got a new ipod. It was cool an stuff.

i would just look on ebay listings and see what if people ar ebuying many refurbished ones.

AlexdeParis said:

i already have a phone.

and i absolutely DO NOT want a touch screen. it would be destroyed within 2 days.

and i want it all in one place.

i am not alone. just because some people are swayed by neat new technology doesnt mean everyone is willing to give up what they already had (and wanted) when the hot new thing came along that doesn't suit their needs.

horatio said:

i'm going to keep my 60G one for work or when i'm playing music around other people and probably just put the endless "best of" and theme compilations that i creat on it.



or, you know... porn.
[Edited 1/25/09 12:38pm]

I heard about a year ago that Apple was working on one that would hold up to half a million songs on it, to be put out in time for the holiday season in 2009. Haven't heard anything since.

TRON said:

they are going to have to put out something new when ol' boy goes 'on medical leave'

TRON said:

That settles it. 2009 = gradually ripping all of my CDs, and buying that NEW-NEW at the end of the year

TRON said:

got a link?

errant said:

i read that somewhere too. but you have to think they are going to have to work some glitches/improve upon it when they do finally release. So what is the wait worth?

I heard it on some techno segment on CNN. Don't think I've ever read about it.

horatio said:

I'm concerned about glitches too, but perhaps that's why they announced it so far ahead of release. Hopefully it'll be a good product by then.

And I was holding out for this one too until my own 5 year old iPod finally bit the dust last month. Luckily, someone had the foresight to get me a new one for Christmas. Now, I'm glad I didn't wait, cuz who knows if that thing will ever see the light of day. Plus, the price has become really reasonable for the 120G.
[Edited 1/25/09 13:24pm]

yes,I bought 2 refurbished iPod nano's last year. They were gifts,and both have worked perfectly,no problems at all.

TRON said:

as soon as i got my 80G they came out with the 160 and new look.

then i got an my itouch and they came out with more gs and rapidly changed its casing and features.

but i think you right cnn is where i may have heard it. it was one of those brief things you never hear about again.

errant said:

That's a lot of attitude when you're the one who asked for opinions. It's OK if you don't agree with me, but there's no reason to be rude.

wtf

errant

AlexdeParis said:

sorry, that did come off a little snotty. i apologize. i'm just pissed that apple downgraded the high end ipods right before i was ready to buy one

horatio said:

ok, i take back my apology for being a cunt as it got me a lovely paddling by horatio.

errant said:

Hey, no problem.