Dissected Discussion from Threads: Apple iPod & Dell vs. Apple

I'm curious on what everyone else believes to be the best pmp for the time being before Christmas '05. I've had my 20GB iPod since August '03 and am debating whether or not I should invest in an Apple iPod Photo or a Sony PSP.

I have three main criterias that I wish to evaluate the PMP on.

Music
The iPod route would allow me access to all of my songs and photos (If I would actually ever use that option versus my camera) easily on trips and while driving. My entire music library is encorporated as AAC files already as well through iTunes. The PSP however would only let me take a limited selection of songs with me via a 1-2GB Memory stick or a 1.8GB UMD (Burnable with PS3).

Video
The iPod would offer no such option besides slideshows with music playback. The PSP would allow me to watch whatever file I throw at it after converting with software used in this Engadget turorial, given that they will fit on a 1-2GB Memory Stick or 1.8GB UMD medium.

Shelf Life/Product Cotinuation
The iPod I bought back in '03 has already seemed to dwindle compared to some of the new mp3 players out, and stands no chance against video players out now besides its exclusive iTunes incorporation and storage capacity. Not too long from now it will collect dust with my Sony MiniDiscs and walkman. The new iPods will offer some new features but not much, whereas the PSP will have the potential to continue on as a versatile and useful player with the ability to burn UMD's with the PS3.

Case in point, I like Apple for the storage capacities offered with its products and it's established PC integration with iTunes. However I also like PSP for it's versatility in media files among other uses such as WiFi connectivity and future PS3 integrations. (I've currently decided to buy a PS3 for BlueRay once it hits the market.)

Will the PS3 be able to continue where the MiniDisc line failed or will Apple keep on keepn' on despite it's exclusive(and elusive)ness?

Love my iPod. Use it everyday. Actually I almost use it more for hard disk space than music.

Can you play aac on the PSP? I've got around 4,000 songs on my iTunes that are all in aac. I would think about getting a psp if it could play aac. My ipod is getting a bit dated, and I'm either going to get a new iPod or a PSP.

The Battery rumor is slated for Fall '05 release. I've also been using my iPod to sync with my documents and transfer torrents and such between my computer and friends from time to time, works great.

The PSP does not support AAC as is, however I'm sure that you could find or wait and a hack could be derived to do so.

I'm really leaning towards the PSP. My iPod is still useful and all, but it got one of the defective batteries that the classaction lawsuit out currently is giving $50 vouchers for. I was a little curious in investing in a new iPod with some of that in my pocket, but might just save it for a new Mac purchase down the line.

The thing I didnt mention about the PSP that I really do like (and MTH brought up) is that it is constantly being tweaked and played with by its community to serve new and useful purposes. Stable Emulators have been released for consoles all the way up to Genesis now I believe, and there are the WiFi hacks to check email, control iTunes, and use AIM in your palm.

The PSP just seems more useful in areas that my current iPod can cover easily, but I'm just kind of weary that those areas will dwindle away with other Sony ventures.


Games would be the icing on the cake for me. I like that Logitech case too, but heard that the only downside possible was the crappy latch it offered. Otherwise it was safe n' snug through all the 10 foot drops they (Engadget I believe...) tested. I've also been looking at some of the Docks that regular joes are making and selling on Ebay for the thing at less than 99 cents.

i have an ipod AND a psp, i need them both. unless we are getting into 4gig and up on the psp, i just cant use it for my music, that and its too big for carrying around walking and shit. the ipod is perfect for music, and the psp is perfect for Games, Movies, and watching Videos.
as for which one is here to stay
PSP and iPod

[edit] but i do fucking hate memory sticks, come on theres everything else in it, throw in a 1-4 gig HD! damn! [edit]

iPod. I wouldn't mind an iPod cellphone. I have a laptop so I can watch videos on that where ever I want. I don't really like watching video's while walking or riding the bus/subway. I'd rather read a book or write.

ipod over psp any time. Don't forget PSP is essentially a gaming machine, you need to be one wealthy motherfucker to get the most of of it immediatly. That is, getting at least a 1GB memory stick duo which isn't the cheapest of technologies.

For movies, PSP would be the better choice but there are better portable movie players out there which support more than the MP4 format.

Zéyann has a good point there with the price. Hopefully the things will drop soon.

I've thought about using a laptop for media before, but the things are just too bulky. And when I do invest in my next laptop, I really want a desktop replacement that's got all the bells and whistles, especially for gaming.

I actually own both an I-pod 20gb & a PSP. For me they both own in their own rights. Game play on the psp is downright so good it's hard to believe that you're playing on this tiny machine. I love the pod for the mass storage of music & the fact that when you buy the accessories for it they work very well. I have the pod with car charger & griffin I-trip these I have had for over a year now & all is still well. Plus the warranty that apple gives for it's products is unmatched compared to companies like Dell & such.

My psp I have had for 2 months now & for now I only own 2 games & 2 movies. All I can say is that this thing kicks fucking ass. Never have I been prouder of one of my purchases in the gaming field.

I was looking at the tech specs for the PSP today on playstation.com and noticed the following:

[Video]: "UMD": H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level3

[Video]: "Memory Stick": MPEG-4 SP,AAC

[Music]: "UMD": linear PCM,ATRAC3plus™

[Music]: "Memory Stick": ATRAC3plus™,MP3(MPEG1/2 Layer3)

So now I see that the PSP can play AAC video, but not music. If there was a way to hack it to get it to play AAC music, I'd buy on in a heartbeat.

An AAC Audio player hack will come, its just a matter of when. Where theres a will, theres a way with this thing.

My friend who has a PSP (uses it for Driving Primarily [Family Guy, Music Videos, SportsCenter RSS] watches it like a hawk. He never leaves it anywhere, and checks for it constantly. It's actually quite amusing when he has to remove/connect the audio chord, charger, and dock everytime he gets in/out of the car, but I can't say I acted much differently when I first got my iPod.

I saw the shuffle in person the other day perusing through CompUSA, and that thing is tiny. I mean we are talking almost definite laundry bait for the washer.

Well, I sell these things daily. Our top sellers are:

1) Creative Zen Micro (Pink, Purple and Light Blue)

2) Sony NWHD5

3) Olympus M:Robe MR100

4) Creative NV200 512mb (Orange, Pink, Light Blue)

5) IPod Mini 4GB

I bought an 80 GB iPod at Target today. It retails $349.99. It was unopened and on clearance. It's the white 80GB. The black was NOT clearance, just the white which didn't make any sense. The clearance price was $87.48 (75% off).

Good deal right? Yeah, I thought so too. But it's almost too good to be true and it has me slightly worried. Should I be worried? Why am I worried?

You could invest in AppleCare?

If it's unopened then that is probably a kick ass deal right there.

Maybe someone screwed up on the price mark down for the player who knows.

By the way later this year I'll be investing in getting the 80GB White player too. That gapless playback feature is what is drawing me big time towards the latest iPod. I would want that since quite a few CD's that I'll be getting will have the gapless thing and I hate when there's a split second break between each tracks. It's annoying.

Edit: If you're looking for a player to play videos my suggestion would be to go with the Creative Zen either Vision M or Vision W. The Creative Zen the two players I just listed can support quite a few number of types of video and when you install the Zen software you also install a converting software to which you can convert your files to play on the player if needed.