I think I'm going to get my g/f an iPod for her birthday. I'm looking at the original 20G version and maybe a dock and car charger thing. Are these things worth it? Are there any other accessories I should think about. And most importantly, am I correct in thinking that I can put the songs that I have downloaded from other sites onto my PC and Cd's I bought onto her iPod?

 

Sherm,

I bought my g/f the 20GB iPod for Christmas this last year. Although I don't think she listens to it much, I know she loves it. She's got her whole music collection on it. I also got her a FireWire card for the computer, an FM modulator to listen to it in the car, and a neoprene case. I have a 3rd generation 15GB model myself, and I love it. I say go for it!

 

Sherm,
Yes, any song you have on your PC can be downloaded to the ipod.
I got them for my kids for Xmas and they really love them.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it. What does the firewire card do? and where can I find the 15g model? I havn't seen that one anywhere.

 

The iPod connects to your PC using USB or Firewire. Firewire is the standard mac connection, USB is the most common on PCs.

If your PC has USB 2.0 (just about any newer computer will have USB 2.0), I would not worry about buying a firewire card. If its 1.1, then I would look at getting an addon card, there are actually some that have connections for USB and Firewire.

I think the 15GB model is discontinued...

 

I, too, am interested in an iPod. Yesterday, when we were looking at a few, HWMBO (PBCrisis) brought up something I hadn't thought of previously. iPod is an Apple/ Mac product. Is it compatible with Microsoft/ Windows applications?

 

It's completely compatible.
The ipod comes with a software CD that will load Quicktime and itunes onto your PC. itunes is Apples version of Windows mediaplayer. Looks and works the same.
The ipod comes with 2 cables as mentioned above, usb and firewire.
If you need an add on card, it goes in your pcmia slot.
My computer at home only had usb1.1 so I bought an add on card from Circuit City (about $29) that had usb2 and firewire connections.
You can then use the firewire cable to charge the ipod as well.

 

I've got the silver mini Ipod 3 or 4 gig and I've got 100s of songs on it and it is no where near full. 100% satsified customer.

2s up.

 

Have you considered a MyFi (XM satellite radio to go)? It's a personal "Walkman" type deal with a built in FM Modualator (so you can listen on a home stereo/truck) or used by itself. It can store up to three hours of music. With XM, you also get online streaming, so you can listen while on the computer (and she can be using her MyFi at the same time).

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I have XM in my truck and I now wish I would have gotten an iPod instead. I have over 2000 songs on my computer and my g/f and I probably have 3 or 4 hundred Cd's so I don't think the 6 g mini would be enough. So for 50 bucks more, I think I'm going to get her the 20 G ipod, the car adapter with the FM modulator, and the desktop cradle thing. I don't know with USb her computer has so I'll probably have to get that other wire. I'm so impressed with these things I may end up getting myself a mini later on. I could even take it with me to work and listen to it through the stereo in my work vehicle! These might be the best invention since TiVo!

 

Tivo....

I thought who would pay for that service....now I couldn't do without. Thinking of getting a 2nd one.

I hope they become profitable so they stick around.

They blow away Comcast's DVR service.