I'll say it again, Ipod's especially the shuffle (which offers no screen) are no better than any other brand name MP3 player. The fascination with Ipod's is a fad and contrary to popular beliefs being locked into Itunes isn't a good thing. The only thing I like about Ipod's is the scroll wheel, that's it.
I have a Samsung YP-T7, it's 1 GB. It's tiny, sounds great, it couldn't be easier to use or download and organize songs on. It reads Word and Excel files, JPEG's, it has an FM reciever and it's a voice recorder. It comes with a belt clip, loop to wear around your neck and quite a few attachments. I think I paid $154 for it about 18 months ago. Oh and the ear buds are excellent, the sound quality is also excellent.
I promise you Ipods offer no real benefit over a good quality name brand MP3 player. Just make sure the drive is flash based and not hard disk based.
You’re not making a lot of sense. I don’t know anyone who buys an mp3 player because it can read Word, Excel, or JPEG files. Would anyone even want to use/read such files on a tiny screen? I have never before even heard of opening those files as a criteria for choosing an mp3 player.
Flower has said she wants to spend $100. A product that sells for $154 is not much good to her. For that amount of money she would be looking at an ipod Nano ($149)—not an ipod Shuffle and a the Nano has a crisp color screen and is a flash based player.
No one who will be listening to his/her own CD library is locked into itunes. CDs can be ripped over and over again into any format or any player one may choose in the future.
One does need itunes to use an ipod, but I hasten to add that I used itunes for 2 years before the ipod was even introduced/invented. With a good set of speakers attached to your computer, you can use and enjoy itunes and never own a ipod.
Going with a shuffle will give Flower access to the music store which—in addition to selling music—has a huge library of podcasts from broadcasters like NPR, ESPN, the New York Times, NBC News, VH1, ABC News, and literally hundreds of others. Looking for your favorite (explicit) comedy skit/show? You can get it as a free podcast at itunes Audiobooks? Itunes has them too. Ipod or Samsung? The choice is a no brainer.
Upgrading your OS isn't just about an MP3 player.
ME is based on ancient architecture.
Windows XP is going to be second class in a few months. I'm installing Vista right now.
With an old OS your limited in many areas.
You might start having problems finding drivers for printers and scanners and any other new hardware you buy.
All true. You might think you’re happy with ME but if you want to do things and can’t because you’re on an ancient OS then maybe you’re not as happy as you think you are. If I had my druthers I’d put you on an iMac but if you’re gonna be on Windows at least get the modern OS. Btw, the imac can run Windows now too.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/04/05/bootcamp/index.phpUsing Win ME begs the question: how old is your computer? Sounds like you really need to visit an Apple store.