New 5.5G for $199 or New Classic for $239

Hello and welcome to iLounge. I guess it would all depend on the capacities of each iPod. If you are talking about a 5.5G 30GB iPod and a 80GB iPod classic then definitely go with the iPod classic. It is a different story if you are talking about two 80GB models, then it is kind of a toss up.

The only Apple accessories that you need to purchase for the iPod classic are video output accessories. All audio can still be output through the dock using older accessories that don't have the authentication chip. So any of your past audio accessories should work fine. The only cables you need are either the new Apple composite or component cables if you want to get TV out (the universal dock will work as well). I can say that the component cables really do make a difference in quality. I have a HDTV and the standard composite cables can output up to 480i, that looked alright but not the best. The new component cables can output up to 480p and add clarity to the picture.

That right there was one of the reasons why I upgraded to a iPod classic, I wanted to have the ability to output video using component video cables.

I'd go with the classic - but be aware that there are known bugs/issues with the new classics. If you are one of the types of people who are patient and willing to work around these issues than the classic is for you! If you are impatient and/or technologically impaired ;) than I'd look at the 5.5G.

I just wanted to follow this up by recommending that you first try out coverflow on a friends' iPod if you can fine one. You may find it isn't as great as it sounds in theory - especially if you have a very large library. The menus are nice but don't add a lot of functionality. I didn't hear you say that you were excited about either the additional battery life or storage which are the classics main advantages. If these two things aren't what you are looking for, I'd look for a refurbished 5G at a lower price than what you quoted or a new nano. If your library is larger than 16GB, you may find that it is easier than you'd think to manage with smart playlists, etc. Again - hope this helps!

My rule of thumb is to always purchase the most that you can afford. That way, you won't have to upgrade a year from now. If you purchased the 5.5G 30GB iPod, you would probably have to upgrade next year to a newer model. If you purchase the 80GB iPod classic, you could probably hold off for two years before upgrading to a new iPod.

The problems with the iPod classic can easily be hammered out with a firmware update and I have no doubt that Apple will release one as soon as they can get all the kinks out. Some users have many, many problems with their iPod classic. I only have one problem: slow cover flow. I don't really think that is a problem either as I know that cover flow needs a hefty processor to handle it. I can wait a few seconds for all the album art to load.

I just went from a 3G iPod to the new Classic, and am very pleased with the upgrade. While I do enjoy the newer features like Cover Flow, which has a known bug, I tend not to use it simply because it takes too long.

I have only had the Classic for about 2 weeks, but I have been very pleased without it so far and am very glad that I made the upgrade. My only suggestion is to get a case for it, but do lots of research before getting them. There are very few that actually say meant for the classic.

I grabbed up one of the last refurb 80gb video iPods and I certainly don't regret taking back the classic..the 5.5G is just so much easier to work worth, plus it doesn't have all the downgrades (video out, games, forgetting settings, frozen syncs, etc.).

I however would pick up a classic if I were to pick between a 30GB/80GB model simply because 30GB isn't a whole lot to work with unless you have a small library. You'll just have to wait out for the glitches to get fixed unfortunately there are quite a few.

$199 is too high of a asking price it should be closer to $170 as the 80GB were selling at a mere $20 more.

Edit: I'm referring to the apple refurbished store.

plus it doesn't have all the downgrades (video out, games, forgetting settings, frozen syncs, etc.).
To be fair, these are not downgrades if you don't already own video out accessories (OP said he did not have any accessories), games (OP said he owned a 3G iPod), and the others are bugs that will be ironed out soon with firmware updates.

...And please change the background color Apple, white is just to bright!

Not to get off topic or anything but I would have loved it if Apple made the background black with white text or gave us the ability to put out own photos for the background and change the text color using iTunes. This is probably the only thing I like about my Zune in that it uses white text and dark backgrounds. That is much easier on the eyes. That is the same reason why Autodesk switched from a white background with black lines to a black background with white lines in their AutoCAD software. It is just easier on the eyes and puts less strain on them. Apple did this with the small info bar pop ups that occur whenever you pause a video on the iPod classic or when you are browsing your photos. Why couldn't they have done it for the whole system look?

No offense - but how did you becomoe a moderator? I don't mean to attack you personally, but as a moderator and somebody who should represent this site, you aught to clean up at least a portion of your grammer. It would also help if you could add a point or two that was directly related to the OP's comments which had nothing to do with much of what you have written about.

This isn't a grammar site its not that big of a deal and he is contributing to the topic at hand, he is relaying the reason why he chose the Classic.

Become is spelled wrong and so is "grammer" in your post, so please look at your own post before judging others.

This isn't a grammar site its not that big of a deal and he is contributing to the topic at hand, he is relaying the reason why he chose the Classic.

Become is spelled wrong and so is "grammer" in your post, so please look at your own post before judging others.
I acknowledge my errors and apologize for any possible personal attacks. I just get tired of threads being taken over and turned into something which was never meant to be. (I also acknowledge that I could have played a part of that in this thread...) now please let's try to help this guy out.