A Fixed One or a New One? Buying Your Second iPod

I’m back into the market for an iPod. After two and a half years of iPod bliss, my friend is finally on its last days. After some 500 battery charges, my 2G iPod has started to not give me the full effort I had grown to rely on day in and day out. In fact a full charge does not even last my hour commute to work in the morning. All my careful plans to whack my iPod were for nothing. I came to the realization that I need to make a serious decision really really soon. Immediately each model in the Apple iPod line started competing for my attention. After some serious consideration, the field has been limited to 2: The 60GB iPod Photo and an option not even in the iPod line—the iQ Battery Replacement Program from iPodResQ.

Let me first note, I am not interested in taking part in Apple’s “iPod Out-of-warranty Battery Replacement Program”. This is only because I am attached to my actual iPod and the idea of getting a refurbished iPod that looks like my original only different, seems too much like I traded in my Grandma and got back a replicant. Sure the replicant Grandma can baked me a decent apple pie, but do the hugs feel the same?

So these 2 options have been fighting it out in my head for over 2 weeks now. Let’s listen in to their conversation…

New Battery: Photo, you are a perfect example of Apple adding stuff only because they can. Why would anyone care about seeing a full color album cover? It’s about the music: always has been always will be.

iPod Photo: Notice I’m called an iPod not a Music Pod or a Tunes Pod. I am just the newer, better model that is one step closer to the ultimate dream of Steve Jobs—the portable media hub. Besides, I can display Greg’s photos too. He takes a lot of digital photographs.

New Battery: Yes, he takes lots of digital photos but that’s why he carries his Powerbook everywhere he goes. He leaves viewing photographs for things that can actually display things so you can view it. I’ve seen photos on you my friend, and you can’t really make out anything. You are one step closer to the “dream” but you aren’t there yet which makes you just an in-between step. You need to go back to the drawing board. And don’t forget to take your proprietary cable with you.

iPod Photo: Just because Greg will get to keep your body, he will lose your pure Apple soul. iPodResQ will replace your battery with a third-party battery. You need to just embrace the fact that Greg wants to move with the times. he doesn’t want to be like those owners of 1980 Toyota Corollas who are driving with AM radios and no air conditioning. Sure, it runs great but sometimes, the technology of the present catches up with you. I have 60GB of space! On-the-fly playlists! More games than just Bricks! And let’s not forget about all the 3rd party accessories Greg has not been able to buy because of your ancient connectivity.

iPod Mini: Uh guys? Sorry to interrupt, but what about me?

New Battery: Get out of here! And take your Girlie iPod back to the Sorority house! And stay right there in your seat 4G iPod. You only come in 20GB and because of it, Greg might as well stay with me rather than spend $299 for you.

iPod Photo: At least there’s one thing we agree on.

New Battery: I might be older than most but I represent the last model with an intuitive interface. 3G? Those 4 buttons were a poor excuse to change up the design and generate hype. And this trackpad-less interface just doesn’t seem right to me. Look at me. You scroll in one place and you execute in buttons. Sometimes people get it right the first time. I’m a perfect example of that. And notice how I don’t have any scratches on me? I’m perfect. I just need a new lease on life. Oh and I can get 4 battery replacements before I spend how much you cost.

iPod Photo: Greg spent $500 on you 2 years ago. He’ll spend $449 on me now. See Apple was tricky. $450 sounds expensive but $449 sounds like a deal. Don’t worry he won’t throw you out. He can still use you as a hard drive.

As you can see, I have a decision to make. And I don’t know which way to go. So I am seeking help from readers like you. Should I spend the $79 and give my trusted friend a new lease on life or should I spring for the 60GB iPod Photo?