Thanks, what does "B&H" stand for? Also, are there any dangers in purchasing a previously owned iPod. I've found one in almost perfect condition for $300 (I think he'll take $250). It's a 4 month old 60GB version with a power adapter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Great sales and service.

B&H is in New York so you can just walk in. Great place, they are one of the most respected camera/electronics stores in the country. Their store is at 420 9th Ave. One of the best in the business IMO.

As for the used Ipod, is it the Video? If not, I wouldn't get it. You never realize how nice it is to be able to watch on the go until you try it.

I did a search on "6th Generation iPod" and it appears that there is one coming soon. I think that I'll wait a little and buy the new version. Nothing would tick me off more than purchasing an item, and find out that an updated version is available a few days later. I think I may pick up an inexpensive shuffle or nano for my language lessons (immediate need), and give it to my wife (who would listen to music at gym) when the new 6th generation comes available.

There is ALWAYS a new iPod on the way. The best way to prevent disappointment is to simply buy every single new one. It is what Stevo wants you to do :D

Well, I have absoutely nothing to add cuz as it turns out this newz about the 6th gen model is what I was hoping for.

I'm in the same position as TMK, in terms of not if but when to pull the trigger on a new iPod. And I'm going for the 60GB model. The extra battery life alone is worth it to me. What I want to know is how I've managed to limp along with 4GB for this past year. Seems laughably toylike now.

OT to Ken: 100 songs?! WTH? :p Anyway, other than the standard student discount, B&H is about the best in the biz -- and if you can just hop the subway downtown so much the better. I used to buy ALL my photo equipment from them back in the good old film days. Even w/shipping ya couldn't beat them for prices and business ethics.

OT to the thread: iTunes? God, if I stuck to ITMS as my sole source of music I'd be in much more student loan debt that I have any right to be ... another shameless pitch for allofmp3.ru ... :ducking:

Before you all delay getting a new iPod; there IS NO NEWS about a "6th generation" ipod. The stuff online is all based on rumors and speculation. The only time you'll know whether there really will be 6th gen ipod is the day Apple announces it.

Got my daughter the 60 gig for Christmas using my student discount and got it engraved for free which she thinks is "the cake"

I send her on missions looking for free Itunes and she downloads desperate Housewives so I can watch it on my pc as I dont have cable!

60gb, 5th Gen, iPod Video with AC adapter, four months old, great condition - $250 (new price) - Is this a good buy?

Indeed. The rumours about the "true" video iPod have been circulating for months.

Wow! That's a great price, as long as it hasn't been thrashed. Can you get it with a guarantee?

The main thing I'd watch out for is the battery. These can't be changed by a user (in theory -- there are kits available to do it), and Apple charges something like $70 to repair it. That's not bad, considering their original position was, "We won't repair -- buy a new iPod." The lithium ion batteries have a limited number of charge cycles -- 300 to 500 as I recall.

The other concern would be serious damage to the hard disk. I don't know anyone to check that, except to install 60 gig worth of data (actually not that hard -- the iPod works as a USB drive) and make sure it doesn't throw any errors. Also, hard drive problems could be heat related -- just play music for 24 hours and make sure it does okay.

applecare
 

for the 250$ ipod, for 55$ you always add apples great applecare plan, which would cover it for another two years. battery is included in this.

call them up, send it in an another one gets shipped out the same day.

Another good use for a high-capacity iPod is temporary storage of digital photos. You can empty your card onto the iPod and keep on shooting without having to start up the computer. There are various adapters available to facilitate this.

Great tip! ^ I've become a bit of a photo-junkie over the past 2 years, and it's not unusual for me to burn through 500mb on my camera. It's not always convenient to open up my laptop and do a transfer - so it looks like I'll be a 60gb iPod man :)

P.S.: I just gained permission from my wife for a b-day iPod - it's only the 3rd b-day request I've made in 10 years, so she gave me the green light