John - although I don't have one personally, a colleague bought one about 2 months ago for the same reasons that you're stating - vast music collection that never gets heard because he's always out of the house.
What he does is download music from iTunes (which I'm sure you've seen as I think you access it through the Apple web-site.) The only drawback with downloading music from iTunes is that at present you need an American bank account. (He has a deal with a friend in New York which enables him to use the site).
Of course the best part is simply copying your current CDs onto the laptop and then transferring that onto the iPod. He currently has around 2,500 songs that, generally, are on a random loop.
Also, he has just bought a connection for the car so the iPod plugs into the car stereo (quite specialised - bought off the net but highly worth it from what he tells me).
As far as battery longevity is concerned I don't know. (I'll check it out when he gets back in the office).
But he's a massive music fan and hasn't hinted at any disappointment since its purchase.
I've probably told you everything you already knew but if I find out anything else I'll let you know.
(I'm a massive music fan myself and an iPod would certainly be something I'd go for but I'm not sure I'd get the use out of it. I will however be connecting my laptop upto the stereo once I get around to it and putting all my CD's onto computer...)
Anyway, hope this has been at least of some help.
Cheers
Jon |