How to Buy the Right IPod This Christmas

Chances are you have at least one loved one who has put the word "iPod" at the top of their Christmas list. Maybe it is you. However purchasing an iPod can be a confusing experience. With all of the options, capacities and capabilities available for the ubiquitous music player, how does one go about getting the right mp3 player? Here's a guide to help you out from someone who's been there. In this article I will take you through each iPod model and give you the scoop on what its capabilities are so that you can make an informed purchase this holiday season.

For starters...iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle is the smallest most inexpensive iPod. Prices for the Shuffle start at $49 and it is available in a multitude of colors. The Shuffle is available in 1 gigabyte which holds about 250 songs or 2GB which holds about 500 songs. Also the Shuffle is available in a several vibrant colors of silver, blue, green, red and purple. The iPod Shuffle does not have a screen but it consists merely of small buttons that control playing and pausing, fast forwarding and rewinding and volume. Songs are synced over to the Shuffle automatically from iTunes in random order (or by specific playlists if you like). Since there is no screen there is no way of knowing what song is next (unless you simply have your playlist memorized!). This is why it is called the Shuffle--you have music on it but you never know what's coming up. The Shuffle includes a clip on the back so that it can be clipped to one's clothing which is good for jogging, working out, or doing chores around the house. The Shuffle, like all iPods, include Apple's signature white earbuds.

Who is it for? This iPod is for the person who doesn't necessarily want that much control over what's on their iPod and who just want to be able to put music on their device, hit play, and come what may. However if you desire a device that provides lots of listening and is a mini music manager you may want to look to one of the other models.

Next up...iPod Nano

The Nano is currently in its fourth iteration. The new Nanos start at $149, are available in capacities of 8GB (about 2,000 songs) and 16GB (about 4,000 songs). The Nano comes in a fantastic array of colors as well: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and silver. The Nano is the lowest priced iPod that supports video playback. With the iPod Nano's brilliant screen you can listen to your favorite music or watch your favorite movies or television shows right on the Nano. All sorts of movies and TV shows are available for rent as well as purchase from the iTunes Store. Just make your purchase via iTunes and then copy your content over to the iPod Nano and you are ready to go. When you turn the Nano on its side it will automatically rotate the picture on the screen whereby you can watch your video in widescreen.

Who is the Nano best suited for? If you have lots of music or video that you want to enjoy on the go and if you like to be able to copy playlists over to your iPod and then browse through them on the device, then the iPod Nano is for you. However if you have very large music libraries or many videos that you want to take with you then you may find the Nano's capacities to be limited.

The Big Leagues...iPod Classic

The iPod Classic is so named because it is the only iPod model that maintains the original iPod form factor. The iPod Classic costs $249 and comes in a whopping 120GB capacity (about 30,000 songs). The Classic is available in two colors, white and black. Like the Nano, the iPod Classic supports video playback and has enough hard drive space for all of the video and music you want. Also there are many great games available for the iPod Classic that you can purchase and download via the iTunes Store. So the Classic gives you tons of storage for music, video and games so that you can pretty much do anything you want on the go.

Who would get the most use out of the Classic? This iPod is best suited for someone with a very large music and video library that they want to take with them all of the time. The large screen is great for video and games and it has all of the features you would want in a straightforward on-the-go media device. For some more casual users who have modestly sized music libraries the huge capacity of the Classic may be overkill. On the other hand for those who may want advance features such as Wi-Fi, the next model might be best.

Last But Not Least...iPod Touch

The iPod Touch is the most innovative iPod ever. The Touch is exactly what it sounds like...you touch it to use it. The entire face of the Touch is a screen which allows the user to navigate through options, playlists, and menus through touching the screen with one's finger. The iPod Touch is available in capacities of 8GB (about 1,750 songs), 16GB (about 3,500), and 32GB (about 7,000). The Touch supports video playback as well as games purchased through the iTunes Store. The Touch is the only iPod that offers Wi-Fi capability. So if a Wi-Fi Internet signal is available where you are (such as in your house, or in a coffee shop, or many other places) then you can use the Touch to browse the Internet via the full Safari browser or even purchase content from the mobile iTunes Store...all right on the device! Furthermore no other iPod features a built-in speaker for listening without earbuds. Lastly the exterior of the Touch includes a single volume control that controls volume for the built-in speaker and earbuds.

Another amazing feature of the iPod Touch is the many applications available for it on the iTunes Store. Developers have been hard at work developing everything from a mobile Facebook app to tools for creating and managing your grocery lists.

Who would get the most use out of the iPod Touch? This iPod is for the person who wants a device that is not only a mobile media device but also a gaming and data management device. With its Wi-Fi and calendar syncing capability, the iPod Touch is much like a PDA that also plays music and video. If you simply want a music device, then the Touch may be overkill. Or if you have a large library and need a lot of storage then maybe you should consider the Classic.

The question of which iPod to purchase for yourself or a loved one this Christmas can be a difficult one if you do not know all of the ins and outs of the iPod line-up. I know, I have been there. But I hope that you will be able to take what I have learned from experience and will be able to buy the perfect Christmas gift for your spouse, child, friend or...yourself! Good luck!