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iPods |
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There are other MP3 players but the iPod's style and download system means it reigns supreme. Ursula Seymour, who writes for PC Advisor, Mac World, Computer Buyer and The Sunday Times among others, picks the best of the range Click to view Top 5 iPods.
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Buyers Guide and Overview |
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| Digital audio players are a must-have for anyone serious about music and the most desirable of them all is Apple's iPod. To find out why it's such a winner and for tips on how to choose the best player for your needs, read on. |
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 While there are other digital audio players, Apple's iPod accounts for almost three quarters of the US market, making it the leader by a mile. The reasons behind its ascendancy are plentiful. There's the award-winning Apple design, which ensures that every new iPod is more covetable than the last, and the easy to use interface both on the player and the iTunes software.
The iPod also represents better value for money than ever before, offering the ability to store up to 20,000 songs on its top of the range 80GB model, and the high-end iPods now incorporate the ability to watch video and view images, as well as listening to music. |
Picking your iPod |
 The iPod falls into three broad categories: the top of the range iPod, which displays video and images as well as playing music; the iPod nano, with a screen that allows you to control playback and the iPod shuffle, which has no screen and plays a random selection of songs downloaded from your archive.
But within most of these categories there are several further variations, which offer differing capacities and features, so our guide is designed to help you choose the best iPod for your needs, whatever they may be. |
Considering your choices |
 When it comes to choosing a digital audio player, (iPod or otherwise) you should bear in mind the following factors:
Capacity – This is measured in megabytes or gigabytes and as a rough rule of thumb 1GB allows you to store around 250 songs, so the more songs you want to store the larger capacity you need. If you plan to store and watch video, then go for the largest capacity you can afford as this eats up storage – 1GB can store just over an hour's worth of compressed footage.
Battery life – If you don't get the chance to recharge your battery regularly choose a player with a longer battery life. Also, if your device has a large screen and you want to watch video on it, the battery life will be reduced.
Size – The smaller the player the lower the capacity is a simple rule of thumb, but a smaller player might be more suitable if you want to take it out running for example.
Type of storage – Choose solid state memory (one with no moving parts) if you want to use your player at the gym, as otherwise you might find it skipping or risk damaging the hard drive if you move around too energetically.
Screen size – Some players have no screen at all, which is fine if you don't need to be able to control playback on the device, but a screen is handy and if you opt for a video-enabled device a larger, brighter screen is best.
Interface – Where Apple has really won the battle in this market is by designing a simple interface, both on the iPod and in its iTunes software. No other music software is as easy to use for novices, so try to get a look at the software your player will come with before buying. You can often download trial versions on the internet, so if you don't get on with it, then don't buy that player.
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