If you're looking to buy an iPod, there's a lot of information to consider before making your purchase. You have to decide if you want to go all out and splurge on a 60GB iPod Video, which runs for about $400.00, or if you'd rather settle and get an iPod shuffle for about $70.00. So, if you're looking to find one spot that tells you all the cold, hard facts about the different versions of the iPod, then you've found the right place.

Are you the kind of busy bee on the go, looking for something travel-sized to keep you entertained? You may want to check out the iPod Nano. At only 3.5 inches tall, 2.4 inches wide, .3 inches thick, and weighing less than 1 oz., this newest version of the iPod is perfect to easily bring along without taking up any space. The Nano uses a flash memory like the iPod Shuffle, so there is no skipping. It comes in 1GB (240 songs), 2GB (500 songs), and 4GB (1,000 songs) models from about $149.99 to $249.99. So whether you want hours or days worth of music, you definitely have your options. Some less desirable things about the Nano are that it doesn't include FM radio or an A/V-out, and the USB 2.0 Cable is sold separately for about $29.00.

Does this not sound right for you? Maybe you're just a huge music lover wishing for something in a lower price range with room for your entire collection of favorite songs. If that sounds right, then you might find what you're looking for in the 6GB iPod mini. This model of the mini was released in early 2005 with a storage memory of 1,500 songs and usually sells for about $199.99. It comes in four stylish colors and includes many fun features, such as organizing contacts, games, third-party support, and of course, smooth syncing with iTunes.  However, it may interest you to know that there have been some complaints about battery life: (http://www.beyondvc.com/2005/11/ipod_battery_su.html)  It seems that it is not uncommon for the battery to start dying out after about a year. Unfortunately, iPod doesn't have convenient removable batteries and it can be an expensive (at $59.00) to have Apple replace them. But luckily for the consumer, there's always the third party battery for as little as $29 to save the day, and some cash. (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11292_7-6386351-1.html?tag=cnetfd.ld2) These batteries can be found at www.ipodbattery.com .

For anyone who loves to exercise, an iPod Shuffle can be a great choice. Thanks to the Flash Memory, you'll never have to worry about skipping. It's priced at about $69.99 for a 512MB (120 songs), or about $99.99 for a 1GB (240 songs), making it by far the least expensive version of the iPod. However, the downside with the Shuffle is exactly what the name implies, it shuffles. It has no LCD screen and finding a specific song can be difficult, because your navigation choices are to play songs in random order or from a list where you just hit next until you find the song you want. But if you're content with this, the Shuffle is simple, compact, inexpensive, and a great choice.

Of course, if you want something cool and flashy, you'll want to try the iPod Video. With a 30GB (7500 songs) and a 60GB (15,000 songs) model, the iPod Video has 10 times more memory storage than any other version of the iPod and also holds full-color album art and up to 25,000 photos. With its beautiful screen, sleek design, improved battery life, and a ton of fun features designed for the iPod, the Video is always sure to impress your friends. However, this version is definitely the most expensive at about $299.99 to $399.99, and that does *not* include important accessories such as a dock, AV cable, or power adapter.

Obviously there are lots of options and fun features to choose from when making your decision. There are also some complaints and drawbacks that every buyer should know. After reading this, you should be able to feel more confident in making a decision. So, whatever you were looking for, I hope you found this article helpful.