iPod touch vs iPod nano: Which is right for you? New or refurb?
What’s the difference between an orange? Before we can even talk about that, we first need to answer a few basic questions like budget and lifestyle, and there’s more overlap here than you might assume — come on inside.
Apple’s iPod nano and iPod touch are highly successful multigenerational products that define their respective market segments. In the case of the touch, there really aren’t any competing products, besides the iPhone and its concomitant two-year carrier contract.
These two products can be parsed by cost, capacity and function:
• iPod touch with 3.5 inch display; wi-fi, Bluetooth and USB connectivity
— Available with 8GB ($229), 16GB ($299) & 32GB ($399)• iPod nano with 2 inch display; USB connectivity only
— Available with 8GB ($149) and 16GB ($199)
Of course, the iPod touch is a rather capable handheld computer that Apple markets as a gaming platform, which has proven to be one of the most popular and profitable sections of the iTunes App Store. This isn’t to say that you can’t play games on a nano, it’s just that they’ll be less involved and fewer in number, though you’ll get a couple of freebies with the nano and none with the touch.
And, it’s this issue of scale that keeps rearing its oft lovely head when comparing these two products. Whereas my eight-year-old twins love their 8GB iPod nano, unflinchingly sharing its tiny screen and an earbud apiece to watch episodes of Avatar and Jimmy Neutron, neither my wife nor I can focus that small. It’s still a great mp3/4 player, but for video of any kind it’s not big enough for our aging eyes.
Thereupon, it’s relatively easy to enjoy a movie or game or TV show on an iPod touch.
As far as music players go, however, the nano’s going to be the better choice as you can easily thumb the device in your pocket to perform simple tasks like repeating songs, clicking ahead or pausing/playing. On the touch this requires both your eyes and hands.
New or refurb?
I have to admit it, there’s nothing like new and unsullied stuff, especially if we’re talking about edibles. However, unlike remanufactured chewing gum or steak (you don’t know the meaning of poor), refurbished iPods don’t look or feel like they’ve been “prechewed.”
Furthermore, when you buy refurbished anything from the Apple Store — such products aren’t generally available from third parties — they come with a full Apple warranty and, for any widget that costs $50 or more, free shipping.
What’s the punchline? Well, a refurbished 16GB iPod nano sells for $50 less (i.e. $149) than a new unit. A refurbished 8GB iPod touch goes for $179, another way to keep U.S. Grant’s cool facade in your pocket — look for savings in the 15 to 33 percent range, though better bargains on older kit do pop up.
Is refurbished for you? I like refurbished gear and haven’t had any trouble with any of stuff I’ve purchased. For example, my daughter’s nano is a refurb, as is our family’s G4 Mac mini.
Perhaps the ultimate decider is this year’s Back to School promotion — buy a new Mac and get a free 8GB iPod touch just for the pleasure.
Now, that was easy, wasn’t it?
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August 12th, 2009
Is there any difference in the look and feel between the new and the refurbished IPod nano? I know that the packing says it is refurbished. What I want to know is on the device itself, do they have some wordings like ‘REF’ to show that it is a refurbished device?
November 15th, 2009
There is no difference. I bought a refurbished ipod nano a while back (read: a year), and nobody can even tell the difference! Refurbished iPods are generally just as good as new ones, and they look exactly the same.
December 7th, 2009
apple buts all there refurbs in a brand new case and replaces the battery to a brand new one. Therefore after apple is done with it it is brand new minus the insides which if it was under warrenty should be perfect since it was accepted by apple for repair. Most refurbs are due to a lemon in the part from the very beginning so they have little use anyways
December 28th, 2009
The new one has a camara on it
January 27th, 2010
not bad
March 7th, 2010
I was thinking of buying an iPod Touch for as my first portable music player. Is this a good idea? I like how it has apps and a multi-touch touch screen, but I also like the nano for the radio and video camera. Btw, do you think $229 is a good price for a refurb 32gb ipod touch?
March 27th, 2010
im debating on weather or not to get an ipod touch or ipod nano i guess its just getting to my head that ipod touch is the new “must have” which one sounds the best?? im a little unsure..
May 6th, 2010
I think the ipod nano 8gb is the more resonable choce
June 3rd, 2010
dammit i dnt know wat to get ipod nano or touch well i dnt really like touch things so.. i might get an orange ipod nano ??? any help i know i want an ipod nano but can someone help me decide what color to choose??
July 1st, 2010
NOT the yellow, it looks weird. i would get either the purple orange or blue. im getting a touch today, im soooo exited!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2010
I have no idea which one to get. The nano has radio and camera which is awesome but the nano is so freaking small it would be nearly impossible not to break it or something can someone help? Does the touch have radio or is it only an app? if so is the app free?
January 3rd, 2011
@Jesse – a huge number of apps are free in the app store. So you can easily get the Touch. Plus, there’s the added advantage that you can download several other fun apps… and, if you buy the nano (now even nano touch is released, you’ll regret it..!!
June 3rd, 2011
J’hésite entre L’ipod touch et l’Ipod NANO touch?
Le quel est le meilleur?
June 3rd, 2011
L’Ipod touch sans hésiter!
Mon ami d’enfance,avait l’Ipod Nano touch,et franchement on ne peut pas dire que ils l’aille réussi!