Buying an iPod Shuffle for Christmas 2008

Apple's iPod shuffle is one of the smallest and most portable music players on the market. Its versatility and ease of use make it a great Christmas gift for anyone on your list. Plus, starting at just $49, the iPod Shuffle won't break the bank.

Why Choose the iPod Shuffle?

Measuring in at 1.07 x 1.62 x 0.41 inches and weighing a meager 0.55 ounces, according to Apple.com, the small size of the iPod Shuffle can be surprising. However, this is still a full-featured music player.

Controls on the front of the Shuffle allow the user to easily move through the uploaded songs and change the volume. A switch on the bottom of the Shuffle turns the unit on and off, and another toggle allows the user to choose whether they would like to hear their songs in a random (shuffled) order or in the order that they've prearranged using Apple's easy to use iTunes software. Plus, since there is no external display to power, the iPod Shuffle has a battery life of over 12 hours, according to Apple.com. The Shuffle even features a handy clip for attaching to a piece of clothing, making it a fashion accessory as well as a music player.

Where Can I Get an iPod Shuffle?

After you've determined that the iPod Shuffle is the best Christmas gift for the music lover in your life, you won't have a hard time finding one for their stocking. Unlike other Apple products such as the iPhone, the iPod Shuffle is not facing shortages and should be easy to find at any major electronics store, as well as at Apple.com.

The iPod Shuffle is available for Christmas 2008 in several flavors. The 1GB version holds about 240 songs and is priced at $49, and the 2GB version holds 500 songs and is priced at $69. There are five colors available: silver, blue, green, pink, and Apple exclusive red. Apple has made these colors brighter in the second generation iPod Shuffle, making the device even more attractive.

You might be able to chop a few dollars off of the price of the Shuffle by shopping around, but there aren't likely to be any major sales. Note that if you purchase directly from Apple's website, you'll be able to get a message laser engraved onto your new iPod for free, as well as free shipping.

Wrapping it Up

The iPod Shuffle's small size and ease of use make them ideal Christmas gifts for anyone who likes to listen to music. Since you can get them easily for under $50, you'll save yourself some money and headaches as well. Make Christmas 2008 great for your friends and family: consider the iPod shuffle as a versatile stocking stuffer or Christmas gift!

Sources:

"Apple - iPod shuffle features" - Apple.com