My kid wants an Ipod

[detailer]

Need some more advice (Dad here) The cheap Walmart MP3 player has bit the dust.So now it's "I want an Ipod with touch screen". Ouch I'm thinking,that's going to hurt Dad's wallet big time.Can anyone provide a little input here please? I know I hate Apple software and refuse to install it on any comp in the house.If I go with the Apple product,will I have to endure the pain of installing their lousy software on her comp to get full functionality from the device? Any opinions on other devices-Zune,Sansa etc.? I'm thinking the whole iTunes thing is where this is going Please help an old guy out here-I want to buy something "good quality" this time,but don't want to get trapped into extra memory hogging software,and above all,a paid subscription So,what have you got for me friends??? Thanks in advance!!

[hellnoire]

How about you get her a Cowon S9? It`s a touch screen, it has a great amount of support, and it doesn`t need ant special software... heck, set it to MSC before she uses it, and she can drag and drop the files over. It also has Cowon`s great audio quality too...

Another option is a Zune HD. It`s also touch screen, has apps, the only thing it really has for a downside might be the Zune software, but it`s lighter then iTunes, I know that much. The other thing about Zune HD has over the Cowon is that it does have internet access, but the Cowon has more apps overall.

[detailer]

Thanks-I was looking at both of those online,and the Archos 5 looked sweet,but a little pricey. Turns out I can get in for about two Benjamins at good old Walmart for an 8GB Touch (latest model) Still open to more feedback though-Thanks again-Somehow I knew you would be the first to reply-usually are-Cheers mate!!

[luffy]

What is ipod? Sorry, my machine hate DRM.

[Ande]

I once talked to the manager of the electronics apartment at a Walmart.
Did you know the insides of a name brand Phone, radio, mp3 player, game platform, television, pc, dvd player, etc. at Walmart is is not the same as at another store?
Walmart sets the prices that they are willing to pay for most items, other items are made by lowest bidder.
In either case, the manufacturer uses cheaper parts to come in at the desired price.
Yes, you can get a good or great deal; yes, you could get lucky and get a return from another store, or freakishly well made materials.
But I wouldn't be my family on this. I was burned twice. Then I had this talk, and never again.

Sorry I saw Walmart and MP3 player, and I saw red!
Done now.

[detailer]

Thanks Ande-Yes I'm aware,but it's more like this..Walmart,like Home Depot,has huge buying power,and can have manufacturers build models of products to their specs to meet a certain price point.HD does it with major power tool brands,while Walmart puts it's focus on electronics.Case in point > check the model number of say,a Samsung TV being sold at your local Walmart-you will not find that model number anywhere else,including direct from Samsung.Most generally,the sacrifice is in features,but agreed,there is most likely a "quality" issue here to meet the criteria set forth by the retailer.Thanks for the input-Oh,many years ago,I was a service manager for a major electronics retailer in the U.S.-back when it was mostly TV's,VCR's,and the Sony Walkman! Sad to say,I'm way behind the times!!

[hellnoire]

I just got my monitor from Tiger Direct... pain in the %$# for the handling fee from UPS, but otherwise good.

Anyway, Detailer, back on topic, have you decided what to do?

I know there's a few other touch screen MP3 players around, I'm personally not big on them... but the two I named I know are decent. Zune HD is my girlfriend's, S9 is a good friend's.

[JayCub]

This thread caught my attention as im now waiting for the outcome.. off topic we do not have a wallmart, but the information posted here has been an eyeopener..

[hellnoire]

This thread caught my attention as im now waiting for the outcome.. off topic we do not have a wallmart, but the information posted here has been an eyeopener..

Hahaha, lucky duck! I will use Wal-Mart in a pinch... nearly everywhere else is cheaper then them here!

[Ande]

Hahaha, lucky duck! I will use Wal-Mart in a pinch... nearly everywhere else is cheaper then them here!

If your happy with anything made in China, go right ahead. That's why it's cheaper there. And remember, 99% of the time, in electronics, you get exactly what you paid for.