Refurbished iPods

[CrazyIvan]

I've been thinking of getting an iPod touch to upgrade my current video iPod, but I'm having a tough time stomaching the $270 price point for the 32gb 3rd generation.

I see on Ebay and the like that you can get a refurbished or used one for ~$230, which is a bit better, but I've always been wary of getting used/refurbished electronics.

Has anyone bought an Apple refurbished iPod before? Maybe a used one? How did it work out for you?

Cheers!

[overdriveguitarman]

I don't see what's wrong with refurbished products!

I bought a refurbished iPod speaker thing and it was like new and has been working great!

[TeamAliceFTW]

http://www.usedipods.net/

Check it out.

[back_blows]

If the warranty is there, I wouldn't be too hesitant of getting a refurbished/used iPod.

[SteveoKnievo]

My brother keeps getting refurbished 360s and they keep dropping like flies.

[BallisticJunkfood]

I don't trust refurbished anything. It seems anything that I've gotten refurbished broke almost instantly.

[animemetalhead]

You're worried about $270? I bought a 32 GB 2nd-gen new from the Apple store (first mistake) for $400, plus the warranty, ended up being almost half a grand.

I say cough up the dough and buy it. You'll get over it eventually.

[CrazyIvan]

http://www.usedipods.net/

Check it out.

Fantastic! Thank you very much for the link. I'll keep my eyes on this site.

And I've read here and there that Apple is particularly good with their refurbishing, so I might just go that route.

Thanks for the responses!

[MisterMixelpix]

I prefer refurbs to new.

Think of it like this: new products come off the assembly line. Could be good, could be bad, who knows. But a refurb is specifically repaired to make sure it works. Those new ones are just one of a thousand coming off the line, but refurbs are given specific and single care.

[CrazyIvan]

I prefer refurbs to new.

Think of it like this: new products come off the assembly line. Could be good, could be bad, who knows. But a refurb is specifically repaired to make sure it works. Those new ones are just one of a thousand coming off the line, but refurbs are given specific and single care.

Very interesting perspective. I'm getting more and more comfortable about getting a refurbed iPod. Now I just need to find the best deal.

[kiggidykev]

This thread taught me that they make a 64 gig iPod Touch.

I wonder why the gig size increments on the touch are all in multiples of 4, and the regular iPods are in multiples of 10 (well, technically 80 now).

[Rocket2Russia]

This thread taught me that they make a 64 gig iPod Touch.

I wonder why the gig size increments on the touch are all in multiples of 4, and the regular iPods are in multiples of 10 (well, technically 80 now).

Because a 160GB Touch would be something like $1400, so they need to appeal to the same price points with comparatively low hard drives.

[Apples]

If it's refurbished, that means there was originally something wrong with it. And if there was something wrong with it, how do you know the repairer fixed it 100%. Most of these places are just repairing it enough to pass a checklist or a diagnostic test.

Considering iPods already have a fairly checkered hardware history, I can't fathom how adding another element, refurbished, to the mix is a positive. Consider something relatively mundane... the battery, which only has a finite number of charge cycles. Is the device was sufficiently used, can you trust you will be getting the full usage of that part before it fails.

If it's refurbished that means it was used, and people use their things in pretty abusive ways.

But this is all just my take. Really it is ultimately about comfort level. Is the price discount worth the extra risk to you? How upset would you be if the device failed 1 day out of warranty? Do you trust the previous owner treated the device well, and didn't drop it in a toilet? Does the price premium of a new one give you extra assurance?


Note that this argument applies to almost anything refurbished. Our office uses some refurbished PCs because we are okay with the fact that they can fail and be thrown away in a heartbeat. But for the CEO's personal laptop, when it just "had" to work right, he ordered a new one. And I won't even start the debate about buying an iPod versus its other, (imho) superior alternatives.

[CrazyIvan]

If it's refurbished, that means there was originally something wrong with it. And if there was something wrong with it, how do you know the repairer fixed it 100%. Most of these places are just repairing it enough to pass a checklist or a diagnostic test.

Considering iPods already have a fairly checkered hardware history, I can't fathom how adding another element, refurbished, to the mix is a positive. Consider something relatively mundane... the battery, which only has a finite number of charge cycles. Is the device was sufficiently used, can you trust you will be getting the full usage of that part before it fails.

If it's refurbished that means it was used, and people use their things in pretty abusive ways.

But this is all just my take. Really it is ultimately about comfort level. Is the price discount worth the extra risk to you? How upset would you be if the device failed 1 day out of warranty? Do you trust the previous owner treated the device well, and didn't drop it in a toilet? Does the price premium of a new one give you extra assurance?


Note that this argument applies to almost anything refurbished. Our office uses some refurbished PCs because we are okay with the fact that they can fail and be thrown away in a heartbeat. But for the CEO's personal laptop, when it just "had" to work right, he ordered a new one. And I won't even start the debate about buying an iPod versus its other, (imho) superior alternatives.

Fantastic points, Apples. Thanks for your thoughts.

But please start the debate. I'm not sold on the iPod touch. I would be just fine with going with another mp3/app/free wifi device that works with my Mac. I have really enjoyed my iPod Video so I just naturally went straight towards looking at the touch. What other devices do you recommend? I looked into the Zune (although it's pretty much the same price), but it wouldn't work with my Mac.

Edit: I guess it would also help if I point to the features that I am most interested in. I want something that can play my MP3's (which will hopefully transfer from my iTunes folder), that has nifty apps available for free and to purchase, and that has internet wifi browsing.

[hawkofva]

I can't wait for the inevitable jokes about used iPads.

[kiggidykev]

Because a 160GB Touch would be something like $1400, so they need to appeal to the same price points with comparatively low hard drives.

Yeah, I understand that there would be an exceptional price increase on a 160 gig Touch, but I my question was more about the increment than the capacity. I don't think they would make a 160 gig touch because it would follow the 8-16-32-64 pattern here. My guess is like it would keep going like 128-256-512

[Apples]

Fantastic points, Apples. Thanks for your thoughts.

But please start the debate. I'm not sold on the iPod touch. I would be just fine with going with another mp3/app/free wifi device that works with my Mac. I have really enjoyed my iPod Video so I just naturally went straight towards looking at the touch. What other devices do you recommend? I looked into the Zune (although it's pretty much the same price), but it wouldn't work with my Mac.

Edit: I guess it would also help if I point to the features that I am most interested in. I want something that can play my MP3's (which will hopefully transfer from my iTunes folder), that has nifty apps available for free and to purchase, and that has internet wifi browsing.

When I researched Mp3 players for Christmas a few years ago, the iPod barely cracked my top 5 list. I wouldn't presume to give you my two-year old recommendations though as I would expect they are out of date. I'll just suffice it to say I was impressed with some of the minority players in the space.

Recently I have come more to the opinion that the modern smartphone is already obsoleting the MP3 player. For example, my Android phone can do the mp3 playing, app store, web browsing, already... and then on top of that, it can make phone calls and do email. If I am going on a trip, there is a certain convenience in having one device that can do everything, instead of fumbling between the cell phone and the mp3 player, having to have pockets for both, rechargers for both, and so on.

If you want some ideas, try checking out the tech section of Amazon.com to see what is popular, what people are buying, and some reviews. Every person's needs are different and it might be useful to do a browsing/brainstorming session just to see what is out there.

[CrazyIvan]

Thanks for the follow-up, Apples.

Do you think it's worth it to get something like a smartphone if you're not actually going to use the phone part of it?

[jonoo24]

For example, my Android phone can do the mp3 playing, app store, web browsing, already... and then on top of that, it can make phone calls and do email. If I am going on a trip, there is a certain convenience in having one device that can do everything, instead of fumbling between the cell phone and the mp3 player, having to have pockets for both, rechargers for both, and so on.


O hai iPhone.

[Mega-Tallica]

My brother keeps getting refurbished 360s and they keep dropping like flies.

I don't think the refurbished tag matters in the 360's case.;)