New Apple User with iPod Questions

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just doesn't seem to work with my Mac. 2) I'm going to school on the other side of the country, and can't ship my huge, outdated stereo. 3) I'm stuck working an awful, hideous summer job, so I've got some extra money and a desire to reward myself for sticking it out at a job I hate.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.

 

Thanks for the help, everyone! (And the welcome! ) I think I'm going to go wih the 4G. It's a hit to the pocketbook, and I'm kicking myself for not snatching up a 10 GB, but I think it should be worth it. I'll use it as an external hard drive during the school year. I went to visit the mini during my lunch break today. I've got serious mini-lust; the little things are just so cool! The aluminum body also seems much... studier. But I'm not patient enough for the 4-week wait on the mini, and when the prices are so similar... I'm opting for the extra space. Just in case.

As for colleges, I'm going to Middlebury College (in VT... most folks have never heard of it, but I'm in love)! I'm so excited. As for the iTunes deal, I'm not sure what the voucher will entail... but the Student Government finnagled an "unlimited download" plan with Napster, and are promising something of equal value for iTunes users. So, I can justify my iPod purchase by telling myself I'll be saving money on buying music.

 

Oh dear. I convinced myself at work today to take the plunge and get the 4G... only to have the 10GB refurb reappear to torment me. Why? Why?

So now I have to stew for another few hours. Is the new one worth an extra $100? I'm right back at square one. Apple is laughing at my indecision.

 

Well, I did it! Yes, the extra $100 would be nice, but... I went ahead and ordered the 4G 20GB iPod. It had nothing to do with needing the trendiest, newest gadget. I just want this purchase to last me a couple of years, and who knows how much space I'll need at that point? I also went ahead and got my name engraved on the back; the folks I'm going to school with are nice, and for the most part, I think someone would get it back to me should I lose it or leave it somewhere.

The sales tax was the hardest part to take! There goes my edu discount, really. But I'm totally excited, and since I won't have a stereo system at school for the next four years... this seems like a justifiable expenditure. Not something I HAVE to have, but something I'd like to have, and something I'll use.

La la la la la. The cheaper 10GB does not exist. La la la la la!

 

I know! As much as I adore the school I'm going to, they're about 80-85% PC. Why haven't they seen the light yet?

 

Middlebury College, in Middlebury, VT.

As far as software goes... haven't bought anything yet. I'm probably going to cave and get Office, because it's what I've grown up on. I just don't like Apple Works as much. But I'm going to wait until I get to campus for that one, and pick it up (relatively) cheap at the bookstore. I think that's all I'll need... what else would you say I need?

As for the iTunes bit... I just learned that the Napster half of the deal means that students can download songs for free, but can't burn or copy them without paying. Anyon have any idea if there is there a chance the iTunes voucher will be similar? Would I still be able to listen to songs on my iPod if this were the case?

(And my iPod shipped LAST NIGHT. Apple was super quick on this one. )