The popularity of iPods is not surprising, as the number of digital music lovers around the world has grown dramatically. This is mainly due to the convenience and ease of listening to music anywhere and anytime that iPods offer. The iPod had its humble beginnings as a high-end music device for those with a penchant for fancy devices and the means to enjoy it. However, given the free and dynamic forces of competition, the device became something that is highly affordable and enjoys high demand. As you might expect, many gamers have jumped on the bandwagon, and we have iPods of many brands, prices, features, and sizes. Among these, some have become brand leaders and one or two are group leaders.
What makes a particular make or model a bestseller? Among the many variables, storage (number of songs), size/weight, colors/materials, price, and what comes with the device in terms of accessories seem to be key factors.
- Storage and number of songs. The simple and easy consideration would be to make a device with the highest capacity available to everyone. However, this would not be practical as most iPod users would not need a large storage capacity. They simply would not have time to listen to all the stored songs or music. A conservative estimate is that, on average, users only need to have something like 100 music CDs. Therefore, it is generally believed that a typical user would only need a device with roughly equivalent capacity. There are certainly exceptions due to people with special needs and there are models that accommodate larger storage capacities. They come in full sizes and higher price tags.
- size and appearance. The best-selling iPods are devices that can be held comfortably in the palm of your hand. In fact, the smallest ones are as or even smaller than a single compact disc. In terms of color, black, silver and white on chrome give a distinctive and luxurious look. There are models that are available in up to five different colors. An additional requirement is that the device must be durable since, like the handheld phone, the iPod would be subject to heavy daily use. Although most models are scratch resistant, a simple plastic cover would be added protection.
- Price tag and accessories. The price, without a doubt, is an important factor. However, one needs to be wise. A small price difference can make a big difference in terms of quality, capacity, size, and features. The cheapest, in this case, may not be a wise purchase. It all comes down to getting value for money. An equally important final factor is what comes along with the iPod. There are the “nice to have” accessories and the “must haves”. Buyers should make sure basic accessories are included. Sometimes you’d be more careful to accept deals that come as a bundle, as accessories can be a bit pricey if purchased separately.
When purchasing an iPod, whether as an upgrade or a new purchase, the above factors would be general considerations. However, it would also be necessary to take into account certain technical details and specifications according to individual needs. In conclusion, it is better to be careful with deep discounts, as they could be due to models that have warnings or problems.
