40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
[412 byte] By [GenesisX] at [2007-11-10 15:36:53] 
On Apple's refurbed items section, you can at this time get a variety of cheap refurbished iPods. The 2 that caught my eye were the 40gb non-click wheel (I'm assuming that means 3g) for $300 and the 20gb click-wheel (4g) for $250. The 40gb for just $300 seems like a deal that one just can't pass up, but is the fact that you won't have the benefits of the 4g version compensated by the cost?
# 1 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
What benifits of the click wheel? I'd trade my 40gb 4th gen for a 40gb 3rd gen in a second.Dismal at 2007-11-15 13:27:28 >
# 2 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Oh...well err, I was under the impression that the click wheel was a lot more maneuverable than previous navigating mechanisms...And also, wasn't there something about longer battery life in 4g iPods? :?GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:28:27 >
# 3 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Anyone else have other thoughts?GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:29:26 >
# 4 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
OK, the 4G iPods have an advertiesed battery life of 12 hours compared to the 3Gs advertised battery life of 8 hours. Also, the 4G allow for multiple OTF playlists, and has the 'Shuffle Songs' feature on the top menu (big whoop :roll:). I can't comment of the click-wheel vs. touch-wheel debate since I've only used the click wheel.
As for which is 'better' it all depends on what you want. If you won't be away from a charger for more than four to eight hours, then the 3G iPod would be the better choice. If you are going to be using the OTF playlists much, or need the extra battery life, then the 4G iPod is the obvious choise.
CheeseBurgerman at 2007-11-15 13:30:31 >
# 5 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
How convenient are the OTF playlists? Like do you often find yourself making playlists when you're at some place away from your PC?GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:31:30 >
# 6 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Personally I like the 3g style a bit better. Although I do like the long battery life and the shuffle option that my friend does not have on his 3g. I basically only use the shuffle option when I am listening to my ipod.pyroboy145 at 2007-11-15 13:32:29 >
# 7 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
I don't think I would use the shuffle option much, cuz I like to pick what I listen to. Does your friend ever have any complaints about battery life? Or is the difference between 8 and 12 hours not very noticeable in everyday use?GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:33:33 >
# 8 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
If they are refurbished units you would find that the longer life battery MAY have been installed.I can't see Apple buying old stock lower life batteries just for the sake of refurbishing old models. I could be wrong and anybody step in and tell me ... but I know with refurbished pda's etc they generally don't put in "old" versions of batteries etc .. rather just keep one line of stock and replace all with the same.
You could ask Apple what "battery life" is installed in the 3g.
I do use the OTF (is this on the go ... on the fly renamed) playlist feature ?? I didn't have a 3g to know if that wasn't included.
I use it when I'm in the mood to listen to certain songs from multiple artists/albums so I wouldn't not like to have that feature.
melsmusic at 2007-11-15 13:34:36 >
# 9 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
The 3g iPods have new after market batteries available that give up to 15 hours use, so don't worry too much about battery life.Just go with the one you like the look of most....
TheDoctor at 2007-11-15 13:35:32 >
# 10 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Thanks for the responses. If I find some way to work my butt off this summer, I may end up purchasing one of these units :).GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:36:33 >
# 11 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
they'll be gone by the end of summer, but they pop up now and again.moe_4eva at 2007-11-15 13:37:32 >
# 12 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Sorry, there's another question I'd like to ask. Since I don't have Windows XP (but rather the dreaded Windows ME...XO), will not being able to use iTunes greatly affect my use of an iPod? I've looked up some alternatives, and a popular one seems to be the Winamp plugin for iPods. Will these substitutes for iTunes allow for an equally enjoyable experience with an iPod?Thanks.
GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:38:41 >
# 13 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
It's all a matter of personal opinion. Some people like iTunes, some don't. But if you use the Winamp plugin, or Anapod Explorer, or Ephpod (dunno if that works on ME) then you will at least be able to use the iPod.CheeseBurgerman at 2007-11-15 13:39:36 >
# 14 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
That's good news :). I assume those that you listed support the transfer of music AND other files? And do they work through FireWire (cuz I have FW and USB 1.1)?It's really looking like I'd go for the 3g 40gb iPod should the occasion arise. I could use the extra space on there for backup storage of my HD (which right now is 10gb...yeah, that's small. Could back up my HD if I got a new comp too tho). And not having the click-wheel won't really bother me much I suppose. Btw, what are the old wheel-things like, rather than being touch sensitive? Do they physically "roll" around the middle button?
OH, and (hahahaha) I also don't have a CD burner, so my 10gb HD is swelling with the not-so-many songs that I have. :P
An iPod could help me with that lol.
GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:40:42 >
# 15 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Well, I've only seen Anapod in action, but you simply transfer files like you would to any external drive.The 'wheel' thing on the 3G iPods is touch sensitive, the only iPod that doesn't have a touch sensitive wheel is the 1G iPod.
CheeseBurgerman at 2007-11-15 13:41:45 >
# 16 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Ah okay, sounds good.Then I suppose there really isn't a huge benefit in having the click-wheel over not having it :).
Btw, just added the 3g 40gb to my shopping cart at apple.com. Now it's down to whether or not I can fork up the money...
Hmm...
XD
GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:42:38 >
# 17 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Good luck with earning that money, and I'm sure that you won't have too many problems setting up the iPod on ME.B.E.L.B.H.D. at 2007-11-15 13:43:46 >
# 18 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
(Sorry for all these questions everyone).So can anybody back up the statement that these refurbished 3G's will have longer-than-8-hour batteries? I just don't wanna be stuck with an iPod battery that (as I've read at various places) will last for only 4-5 hours :P.
Thanks for everyone's input :).
GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:44:39 >
# 19 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
Originally posted by TheDoctor The 3g iPods have new after market batteries available that give up to 15 hours use, so don't worry too much about battery life.
Just go with the one you like the look of most....
really?
i just called 1-800-my apple and asked them if the refurbished 3g ipods they are selling have the standard 3rd gen battery life or if they have now have the 4th gen battery life, and they told me that they have the 3rd gen battery life.
anybody else have any info. on this?
i too am trying to decide between getting a new 4th gen 20 gb or a refurbished 3rd gen 40 gb.
also, i'm confused about the differences regarding shuffle. if i' not mistaken someone mentioned the 34d gen not having a shuffle function. does the 3rd generation 40GB have shuffle capabilities?
thanks much for your help!
jjp72 at 2007-11-15 13:45:48 >
# 20 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
The 3G iPods still have the same battery life as they did before the 4G iPods came out, unless you use one of the aftermarket batteries.However, regarding the shuffle function, the 3Gs have a shuffle function, but the 4Gs have the 'shuffle songs' feature on the top menu.
CheeseBurgerman at 2007-11-15 13:46:49 >
# 21 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
aha, i see now.thanks.
a couple of follow up questions:
1) do you know any more info. on these aftermarket batteries: are they expensive? are they as reliable? can i switch the batteries myself? will using it somehow void the warranty?
2) so the only difference in shuffle function is the menu from where one can turn shuffle on/off? with the 3rd gen one can still shuffle all songs, but just has to go to a different menu other then the top menu?
3) lastly, the 3rd gen. still allows for one OTF playlist, just not multiple ones?
thanks much!
jjp72 at 2007-11-15 13:47:45 >
# 22 Re: 40gb 3g or 20gb 4g?
*sigh* Yep, just confirmed with this and other forums that indeed, 3G refurbs still have the 8hr battery. Darn...You know what? I think I'm just gonna wait til the 5G's come out, then the 4G 20GB will be $250 anyway, if not cheaper (if I'm not mistaken). I don't wanna be like "Awww, I got my 4G and the 5G came out 3 weeks later..damn." ;)
GenesisX at 2007-11-15 13:48:43 >
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