iPod

When it comes down to purchasing or using an iPod, the most important aspect is the amount of content it can hold, because after you pick the right color or get your name inscribed on the back, the songs are all that really matter.

Apple claims that the 8GB holds up to 2,000 songs. The key phrase is "up to". Apple gets the number 2,000 from assuming that every song you put on your iPod is around 4MB, or four minutes long, which is the length of the average song. However, if you want to put songs like Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row", Miles Davis' "All Blues", The Doors' "The End" and just about any Rush song (each averaging 11 minutes in length), then 2,000 songs is a very high estimate. On the other hand, not every song is as long as four minutes; some are shorter, so the songs can balance out. A more realistic amount of songs that you can hold is around 1,700 songs. That assumes that you use your iPod to only store music MP3s.

You can only hold 2,000 songs, or the more realistic 1,700 songs, if the only thing you are storing on your iPod is music. Apple states that the 8GB can hold 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos or eight hours of video, but not at the same time. If you want to hold any videos or photos on your iPod, then the amount of songs you can hold is going to further decrease.

If you want to hold music, photos and videos on your 8GB iPod, and you want control over which songs are uploaded, then you must choose what specific songs you want on your iPod. It does not allow you to hold all the songs you own, and randomly uploads as many songs it can hold. Create a playlist only for your iPod, and add your favorite songs to that playlist. When it comes time to sync your iPod to your music provider, select the option that allows you to upload only that one playlist. This way, when you want different music on your iPod, all you have to do is change the songs on your playlist.

Overall, there is no standard amount of songs that an 8GB iPod holds. It varies depending on the average length of songs you own, and whether or not you wish to hold other content on your iPod. The easiest way to figure how many songs your iPod holds, with or without your other content, is to sync your iPod, go into the Songs playlist on your iPod and see how many songs were uploaded. That way, you can effectively control which songs you hold on your iPod.

The iPod Touch and iPod Shuffle are two completely different products. Which is 'better' depends on how one is planning to use it.

As far as versatility and flexibility are concerned, the iPod Touch sports far more features, and is essentially a touchscreen-based pocket computer. The software running on the iPod touch is open to third-party development, and there are thousands of applications, from utilities to games, available for download from the iTunes App Store. From games to video to music, the iPod Touch would seem to be a 'better' machine overall.

The iPod Shuffle is simply a music player. It is small and sturdy, and it is relatively inexpensive.

Both the Touch and the Shuffle feature solid-state memory (no moving parts), which makes them both suitable for active use.

However, when it comes to accidental damage to the unit, the iPod Touch is much more expensive($229 - $399 USD) to replace than an iPod Shuffle ($49 - $69 USD). So, if you plan on using the device while running or working out frequently (exposing it to more risk for accidental damage), the Shuffle may be considered a 'better' choice.

The iPod touch is more appealing to young adults.