Hi everyone! I bought my very first Apple computer at the end of June. I got an iBook--the perfect computer for me. I'm in love with my little 'Book; he's a darling, and I'm terribly excited to be taking this computer to my first year of college next month. Thanks to everyone on this forum for help in making the leap to a Mac. I had to convince some very PC-oriented parents to fund my purchase, but armed with the advice I gleaned as a visitor to these boards, I succeeded.
Of course, just two weeks after I bought my iBook, Apple announced the Cram and Jam deal. I was bummed, but I can't be bitter. I bought my iBook early to acquaint myself with the new technology, and because I was so eager to have the product in my hands, I missed out on a great deal. No point, though, in crying over spilt milk.
After much hemming and hawing, I've decided to buy myself an iPod for school. 1) My current Creative Zen mp3 player just doesn't seem to work with my Mac. 2) I'm going to school on the other side of the country, and can't ship my huge, outdated stereo. 3) I'm stuck working an awful, hideous summer job, so I've got some extra money and a desire to reward myself for sticking it out at a job I hate. I'm calling this my graduation gift to myself.
So, here are my questions:
I was torn between buying a refurbished 10 GB 3G and a 20GB 4G, but now the 10GBs have disappeared from the deal page! Any chance they'll come back? And if they do, are there any outstanding reasons I should shell out the extra hundred dollars (I'm getting the edu discount!) for the 4G? Should I worry about theft on a college campus, and do you recommend engraving a new iPod with a name to prevent loss or theft? What sort of protection do you recommend, if any at all? (I want to keep my iPod slim and portable, able to fit in the pocket of my blue jeans or a jacket or such, so I don't want a huge bulky case.)
I've been to Best Buy and CompUSA, but haven't been able to put my hands on a 4G model. Truthfully, after handling the Mini and the 3G, I think I'd prefer a click wheel; the buttons on the 3G just seem too touchy. But, should the 10GB model reappear on the Special Deals page... a $100 is a $100. I'm torn.
Basically, I'm looking for a little advice and guidance. $200-300 isn't cheap; I make that working 35 hours at a job I hate. I'm also a relatively poor college student who's trying to save up a nest egg for the next year away from home. Any thoughts, anyone? I really appreciate anything you might be able to share with me. I've become a relatively obsessive reader of these forums since I bought my Mac, and I value your opinions and advice.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the size of my music collection! I currently only have around 650 songs on my current mp3 player, but I've fallen in love with iTunes. Also, the college I'm going to has a deal with Napster that allows for free downloading, and Mac users will be getting a voucher for iTunes of equal value. (Whatever that means.) So I expect my collection will be growing slowly but surely over the next four years.
Of course, just two weeks after I bought my iBook, Apple announced the Cram and Jam deal. I was bummed, but I can't be bitter. I bought my iBook early to acquaint myself with the new technology, and because I was so eager to have the product in my hands, I missed out on a great deal. No point, though, in crying over spilt milk.
After much hemming and hawing, I've decided to buy myself an iPod for school. 1) My current Creative Zen mp3 player just doesn't seem to work with my Mac. 2) I'm going to school on the other side of the country, and can't ship my huge, outdated stereo. 3) I'm stuck working an awful, hideous summer job, so I've got some extra money and a desire to reward myself for sticking it out at a job I hate. I'm calling this my graduation gift to myself.
So, here are my questions:
I was torn between buying a refurbished 10 GB 3G and a 20GB 4G, but now the 10GBs have disappeared from the deal page! Any chance they'll come back? And if they do, are there any outstanding reasons I should shell out the extra hundred dollars (I'm getting the edu discount!) for the 4G? Should I worry about theft on a college campus, and do you recommend engraving a new iPod with a name to prevent loss or theft? What sort of protection do you recommend, if any at all? (I want to keep my iPod slim and portable, able to fit in the pocket of my blue jeans or a jacket or such, so I don't want a huge bulky case.)
I've been to Best Buy and CompUSA, but haven't been able to put my hands on a 4G model. Truthfully, after handling the Mini and the 3G, I think I'd prefer a click wheel; the buttons on the 3G just seem too touchy. But, should the 10GB model reappear on the Special Deals page... a $100 is a $100. I'm torn.
Basically, I'm looking for a little advice and guidance. $200-300 isn't cheap; I make that working 35 hours at a job I hate. I'm also a relatively poor college student who's trying to save up a nest egg for the next year away from home. Any thoughts, anyone? I really appreciate anything you might be able to share with me. I've become a relatively obsessive reader of these forums since I bought my Mac, and I value your opinions and advice.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the size of my music collection! I currently only have around 650 songs on my current mp3 player, but I've fallen in love with iTunes. Also, the college I'm going to has a deal with Napster that allows for free downloading, and Mac users will be getting a voucher for iTunes of equal value. (Whatever that means.) So I expect my collection will be growing slowly but surely over the next four years.
