Own iPod 2G thinking of moving to 3G?

[RunsWithScissors]

Anyone have experience moving from a 2G iPod to a 3G iPod (not mini) and have any regrets?

I'm contemplating moving from my 10gig 2nd generation iPod to a refurb 30gig 3G just to increase capacity and take advantage of firmware updates and the latest accessories and am wondering what the downside is if any?

I played with the 3G at a local CompUSA and did not really like the new button/controls layout. I really like my 2G controls and this is a major issue for keeping it.

I have over 60 gigs of high quality MP3 that I've ripped (EAC with LAME -alt-preset extreme) so more capacity is luring me to the darkside.

iPod just plain works on my windows box with ephpod so I'm very happy with this facet of the player and I love the sound and form factor. I also have it integrated into my car via AUX input to my car stereo.

Might consider another player like the Karma but really just thinking higher capacity iPod.

Any thoughts or comments welcome, especially from those of you that owned 2G iPod and moved to 3G

 

[tyrion]

I moved from a 1st gen 5gb to a 30gb 3rd gen. It took a little while to get used to the buttons but once I got used to them it wasn't much of a problem. Occasionally I will hit the wrong button but not a big issue for me. If you can wait a few months the rumors are that the 4th gen will be out. I am waiting for a 60gb with the mini's controls.

 

[HD-5000]

Just a heads up, rumors are that Apple will be out soon with the 4G ipod, and has ordered a large number of 60GB 1.8" hard drives from Toshiba.

 

[ampgalore]

Does that mean the 3G prices will be coming down soon?

 

[RunsWithScissors]

I really doubt that the next iPod update, will actually be a 4G with significant changes but I have read about the Toshiba 60GB drive sales to Apple. I could be wrong about the 4G changes but higher capacity should drive down prices at least.

I'd love to see the mini controls on a higher capacity iPod - that would probably seal the deal for me to upgrade.

 

[ampgalore]

Was there a big price reduction on the 2G iPods when the 3G iPods were introduced?

 

[tyrion]

My recollection is that when they went from 30gb to 40gb, the 40 started at the price the 30 used to sell at. I would hope that the a 60 would move to the $499 price level of the 40. My 30 is full. An extra 30 would be great. I have a lot of live music I download plus I wouldn't mind ripping my cd's in apple lossless and use on the ipod.

 

[wolfen68]

Little off track, but a message for the imp tyrion...

Long live House Stark!

 

[tyrion]

It's funny becuase it took months before anyone recognized the name and sig and your the second in the last two days. I actually am a Stark fan but just think tyrion is a great character.

 

[psxguy85]

I personally couldn't care for the Mini interface, but I can't wait to upgrade from my 3G to whatever the next evolution is, as long as it is 60GB.

I don't know personally about upgrading to 2G from 3G, but I let my friend with a 2G 20GB try my 3G and after one day of use he wanted one.

He still hasn't discovered good headphones yet though.

 

[cmascatello]

I would guess we will be seeing the miniPod's clickwheel migrate over to the full-size iPod line. However, I am a little curious as to what new features Apple might be looking to add that would warrant a 4G redesign...

 

[djgustashaw]

Also, I remember reading in this forum that Job's made a quote almost exactly like this: "We aren't happy with iPods costing $300, and we'd like to do something about that." So the 4g's might come with a somewhat significant price cut, and that would almost undboutedly require one for the mini's, too. I'm not sure what exactly they can put in a 4g besides the click wheel (I've always loved my 1st gen 5 gig to the 3rd gens), but it's Apple, so I'm sure they can figure out something to wow us with. Hopefully, though, the possible price cuts won't just be giving you more capacity for the same price.

Myself, I'm still holding out for an 8 gig mini...

 

[vranswer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunsWithScissors I really doubt that the next iPod update, will actually be a 4G with significant changes but I have read about the Toshiba 60GB drive sales to Apple. I could be wrong about the 4G changes but higher capacity should drive down prices at least. I'd love to see the mini controls on a higher capacity iPod - that would probably seal the deal for me to upgrade.

Sounds like you've already got enough tunes at your current bit rates to fill up the new player, but....it would give you the option of using Apple Lossless. Problem is, once you've listened to lossless files it's tough to go back IMO. They sound so SWEET.

 

[RunsWithScissors]

I use EAC to rip and the bare minimum bit rate encoding for my files is LAME -alt-preset standard (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220) while the majority are at -alt-preset extreme (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270). Out of my E5, the sound difference between these MP3s and corresponding WAVs (or any other lossless format) is not significant enough to warrant the file size right now with my current 2G 10gig. I may change my mind if I get a larger capacity player though I would much prefer FLAC to Apple lossless.

The compressed vs uncompressed file's sonic difference is more noticeable out of my car or home stereo when I hook up my iPod so possibly another reason to go higher capacity there too. For the car, MP3s are quite sufficient though. I'd just prefer to take more of my music library with me wherever I go so I can play anything at any time.

Some day soon if not right now...

 

[Watchdog]

If you have 60GB of files then a 3G won't be the solution as the largest you can get is 40GB, even if gen4 has 60GB you're already at the limit.

Have you considered one of the Creative Labs players that use a laptop drive. You could swap out the drive for an 80GB, or perhaps wait a bit for the rumoured 100GB laptop drives that are coming soon.