iPod Shuffle opinions?

[Numo]

I am thinking of getting a couple of the 1 gig Shuffles for my daughters. They are $79 each (I don't want to spend more than this right now) on Apple's site.

I realize this is the most basic model, but are there any significant drawbacks to using these as a basic MP3 player?

[Racer X]

right now ClubMac has a free after rebate Belkin FM transmitter along with the 1 gig shuffles. Their shuffles are $74, and are probably tax free as well.

[carl]

I think its a great music player, perfect for the gym. I can clip it to my shirt sleeve and it doesn't fall off. Its very easy to use and 1 gig is plenty of music storage for me.

[blooz]

I have an older one, and it is one of the most fun things I ever bought for myself.

I'd love to get a new clip-on one.

[evilrobot]

from an active/running perspective - they are fantastic. it's easy to navigate songs by feel and (at least the 'gum pack' model) takes a lot of abuse.

i've heard rumors that the new model doesn't sound as good as the first gen shuffles, but have to wait until christmas to confirm.

[Chupa Chupa]

Just speaking from my own experience, I love the shuffle while working out. For everything else I go to my 2nd gen nano. If I had to pick one over the other I'd take the nano every time.

There are major drawbacks to the shuffle as a everyday player:

1) no screen
2) no way to access more than one playlist
3) no way to get to a song you want to hear without FF though all the songs until you hit it
4) no support to d/l podcasts off of iTunes

The 2GB nano is $149...$70 more than the shuffle. You get 2x the memory and all the additional functionality.

[chas_m]

Your daughters will likely not care about the lack of screen, since they will be loading the music they want onto the thing and mostly listening to it on "shuffle mode" anyway.

Sounds like a great gift, stop second-guessing yourself. They'll love it. If they want something more or they outgrow it, they can earn the money and buy it themselves.

[jesse]

I have the new shuffle and love it, when we were at the Mac store the salesman hooked it up to a set of $400.00 speakers and the sound that came out of that little thing was amazing. My daughter is 12 and she has a nano, she only has about 30 songs that she listens to and they are all on one playlist, personally I think she would of been happy with a shuffle.

jesse

[Numo]

Thank you very much to all who responded to my question. I guess it's time to order!