I was going to get an iPod, but hearing they are overrated? Help!?

Question

I was going to get an iPod, but hearing they are overrated? Help!?
I was going to get an iPod, but now I am hearing that there doesnt seem to be much benefit other than name.

Answer

iPods certaintly are a great device and Apple was at the front of the portable MP player movement. However it seems they have kind of backed themselves into a corner with they way in which both the iPods and the iTunes are set up. Apple took great pains to court the music industry into offering music on iTunes, as well as set themselves up as the best in business. iTunes downloads are not in MP format, they are in a unique music format designed to play only on iPods and your computer. As for the iPods themselves, once you put music onto them, it is nearly impossible to transfer it to another computer, or backup your music library. The players are quite easily broken you wouldnt know it from the commercials of people dancing around, iPod in hand and there are reports of the internal batteries dying quickly, too. Apple has a whole motherload of accessories for the iPod but with the amount of money these devices cost, you would expect more flexibility with music transfers, as well as a more extensive warranty. My advice would be to look into some of the newer MP players that are now on the market from other companies. You might get a more convient player at a lower cost. Good luck!