iPod Comparison - Comparing The Different Types of iPods

Otherwise known as the "original" iPod, the iPod Classic has been around for years now. The iPod classic is a simple, easy to use iPod option that still has most of the "goodies" you'd find on some of the sleeker more popular models. An iPod classic will typically come with more drive space available than most of the other models, with options all the way up to 160 GB of space. That's a lot! To put that in perspective, a 160 GB iPod Classic would be able to hold roughly forty THOUSAND songs in mp3 format! I'm betting most of you out there don't have that much music, right? But that space is useful for other things as well.... Through iTunes you can also download movies, music videos, podcasts, books, games, photos, and much much more. All of this content can easily be put on you iPod Classic and played or viewed on the 2.5 inch color LCD display. (which looks great by the way) Coming in at around $250 retail, the cost of the iPod Classic is kind of the "middle of the pack" as far as iPods go, and is available in either Black or White colors.

Ok let's face it. Who out there doesn't think touchscreen technology is just the coolest thing in the world? I know I do, and if you're with me, then the iPod Touch is probably for you. The iPod touch takes the mp3 world to the next level. While it still does store and play music like all of the rest, the iPod touch has a 3.5 inch MultiTouch wide screen viewer taking this mp3 player up a notch. With the iPod touch you can play games, watch movies, watch videos, read books, etc. Sounds about the same right? Well, there's more! The newest generation of the iPod touch also includes both front and back video cameras, allowing you to have video chats directly on the device with other iPod users. The back camera allows you to shoot up to 720p HD video to be stored and replayed on the device, or downloaded to your iTunes library on your computer and saved. Video editing and sharing is available right from the device, as well as the full library of iOS based applications from the App Store. With iPod touch and AirPlay, you can stream music, photos, or video directly from the device to televisions, speakers, or sounds systems throughout your home. (please note, some additional hardware is required for this depending on what you're trying to accomplish.)

The iPod Touch currently comes in either white or black colors, and offers data space in 8 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB options. To compare that with the numbers you saw earlier for the iPod classic, the 64 GB iPod touch could store approximately 16,000 songs or 80 hours of video. The price point for the iPod Touch ranges from around $200 to $400 dollars, depending on the size you get. (and by size, I mean 8 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. Physically, they're all the same size)

I'm betting that anyone out there that has ever been to a gym or on a running trail has probably seen one of these guys! The iPod Shuffle is small, light weight, and generally less expensive than some of it's counterparts...perfect for working out or any other activity where you're on the move but still want your tunes with you. The newest generation of iPod Shuffles are available with either 1 GB or 2 GB of free space. I know what you're probably thinking here, "that's hardly any space compared to the iPod Classic or iPod Touch!" Well, you're absolutely right, but there are some other factors as well. First and foremost, the iPod Shuffle is designed to be a music player that you hook up to iTunes to add or remove your current playlist and to mix up your music selections frequently. This is perfect for those folks that use the Shuffle for music while they're active. Second, the price point. The iPod Shuffle retails for around $50, significantly cheaper than it's iPod brethren. Third is the Shuffle's physical size. The iPod Shuffle is small and lightweight (approx. .5 ounces) and you won't even feel it when it's clipped to your shirt or pants.

One important point to make here about the Shuffle is that it is a music player only! It does not have a screen and is not designed to play games on, watch movies, or any of those other neat features. Of course, that's also why it's the least expensive! Available in multiple colors including Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, and Silver.

The newest generation of the iPod Nano combines the best of both worlds....the size and portability of the iPod Shuffle, with the touch screen and additional storage sizes of the larger iPods. Available with either 8 GB or 16 GB of space, the Nano can hold LOTS of music and playlists. (16 GB model will store approximately 4,000 songs) With a phenomenal battery life up to 24 hours playback time on a single charge, the Nano can play music, podcasts, audio books, and more, making it another great companion for your workout. While slightly larger in size than the Shuffle, the Nano is still only .8 ounces and has a clip for fastening the device to your clothing while on the go. The 1.54 inch touch screen on the Nano lets you easily browse your audio libraries and playlists using touch features and simply tapping the what you wish to hear.

At around $150 retail, the price point for the iPod Nano is definitely higher than it's slightly less "feature blessed" brother the Shuffle, but is still significantly lower than most of the larger iPod models such as the Classic or Touch. The iPod Nano also has multiple color options, including Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Silver, and Graphite.