Apple Ipod, overpriced brick or good buy? Options

[sadolakced acid]

sure, there are threads in the technology forum about ipods; but none specifically for debating.

so here's the setup:

the apple ipod is the most popular portable music player in the United States. the word ipod has become synonomous with a hard drive device, like xerox because synonymous with copy machine.

However; the ipod was not the first MP3 player. They were not the first Hard drive player. The only thing that the ipod had that others didn't was the scroll wheel.

basically; the ipod was, and still is, priced higher than other similar competitors.

yet is the reason why it dominates is that it is actually a good portable music player, or is it becuase of clever advertising, it's status as a status symbol, and the mass stupidity of many?

[Brneydgrl]

I only got my ipod because i had to buy a mac. I used to be a graphic designer. the deal i got when i bought my mac is that they would throw in an iPod along with a $200 dollar rebate, so technically i got my ipod for 80 bucks.


still expensive, i know, but now that i have it, i'm glad i do, it's nice not to have to switch cds

BUT

ppl around my graphic design school are really 'artsy', and carry it as a status symbol. some graphic designers do use it to transfer files, but as a graphic designer, i could tell you the campaign was wonderfully done. they really sold this item to ppl