Is An iPod Worth The Money?

Should you cough up the extra for an iPod or buy an MP3 player from one of Apple's rivals?

Say that I'm mad. Say that I'm stupid. Say that I should be barred from trendy gyms and all the cool commuter routes. But the fact remains: I am not an iPod fan.

Or at least, I wasn't until yesterday. When I walked in the Apple store in London, I have to admit, it felt good, in much the same way that walking into a toyshop when I was five years old felt good. Everything was all shiny and sleek and... well, shiny. Even the staircase was made of glass. It was - how shall I put it? Seductive.

The fact is, Apple knows how to press people's buttons. It is synonymous with good design and intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. But is that really worth paying a premium for?

How to compare?

It is hard, in some ways, to compare an iPod with another MP3 player. As well as being the most well-known manufacturer of MP3 players, there is no doubt that Apple has been a true innovator in this marketplace. Pause for a second and:

1. Rewind to 2001, when most MP3 players could store less than 10 songs
2. Skip to 2001, and the launch of iPod, which could store up to 1,000 tracks
3. Fast forward to 2007. Some iPods can now store up to 40,000 songs - and yet are lighter and sleeker than earlier, smaller models.

The point is that, instead of resting on its laurels and previous successes, Apple has continuously and intelligently developed its product range. And by pushing MP3 players into new boundaries, it ensures that many of the features on its newest products are unique.

For example, its latest release, the iTouch, not only plays music and videos - it allows you to browse the web using only your fingers. There are still a few kinks that need to ironed out (you need to take it out of your pocket for everything, even to change a track, and the fat-fingered may struggle with the controls occasionally). But on the whole, it is a clever and well-designed MP3 player that uses cutting-edge technology to do something new - and fun.

And this, in my view, is why the Apple brand is so strong: there really is quality at the core of this shiny fruit.

Pricey at the price

But let's put brands aside for a moment. If owning an iPod just because it's an iPod isn't your number one priority, then I think you would do well to check out some of Apple's lesser-known competitors.

For example, you can buy a 4GB Creative Zen with video playback and FM Radio for £79.00 from Amazon. A similar 4GB video-playing MP3 player is available for £93.98 - the new iPod nano.

While there is no denying that the nano's 320-by-420 pixel screen is far superior to the Zen's 128-by-128 pixel screen, the price difference may hurt your pocket. Especially when you take into account the fact that, if you got the nano, you'd have to shell out an extra £35 if you wanted to listen to the radio. With the Zen, it's included.

And that raises another distinction between Apple and its competitors: you often need to buy items separately that, with a rival, are included in the player. On the other hand, if you like buying accessories, no MP3 player will suit you as well as iPod. You can choose from a dazzling array of iPod cases, docks, remotes, armbands and swimming trunks (OK I made that last one up, but I'm sure it won't be long).

As long as you purchase that accessory from Apple or one of its partners, that is. While Zen, for example, makes a stereo for iPods, Apple is very good at making sure you stay loyal to its brand for all your accessories. And even worse, your music. Until recently, if you downloaded music from the iTunes store, it could only be played on an iPod (or iTunes). This is starting to change, however (and, to be fair, was mainly instigated by record companies to control copyright breaches).

In some ways, deciding whether or not to buy an iPod should be an easy decision. If your priority is to spend less money, or you are keen to have a radio or a Dictaphone as well as a music or video player, you should consider other brands. The same goes if you're determined not to follow the crowd, and believe Apple is a bit too cool for skool.

If, however, you love gadgets and accessories, are prepared to spend more because you believe you'll get a top quality product, and enjoy having the latest new technology at your fingertips, then an iPod may well be the best choice for you.

But do me a favour. Don't buy it just because it's shiny - and has the word `iPod' on the back.

More: Beware The iPod Backlash | Save Money When Shopping