Best MP3 player Apple iPod nano *Est. $140
Best touch-screen MP3 player Apple iPod touch *Est. $280
Best iPod alternative Microsoft Zune HD *Est. $290
Best sound quality Sony X Series Walkman *Est. $380
Budget MP3 player SanDisk Sansa Clip+ *Est. $50

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iPod Classic

*Est. $240 for 160 GB

Reviewed October 2009

Huge capacity for music and video
Easy-to-use interface and software
New features work and are worthwhile
Good video performance

Non-user-replaceable battery
Requires upgrade to iTunes 9

Where to Buy

for $219.99
for $249.00
for $234.99

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Apple has trimmed down the iPod classic line to one model and added a few nifty features as well. Those include a Genius feature that can create a 25-song playlist based on a selected song. Voice recording has also been added, but you'll have to spring for your own compatible microphone. There's still no FM radio, however, and you'll need to upgrade to iTunes 9. Thanks to its wonderful user interface, the latest iPod classic is a great choice for someone looking for a high-capacity MP3 player, but there's little reason for someone who's perfectly happy with their existing iPod classic to upgrade. PC users may also want to consider the Microsoft Zune HD (*Est. $290 for 32 GB) as an alternative; the capacity is not as high, but it includes a lot of nifty features not included on the iPod classic.

We found excellent coverage of the iPod classic at CNET, which is the only source that tests the latest model. Other sites, including iLounge.com and Macworld, have reviews of the older model. ConsumerReports.org also includes the old iPod classic in its most current ratings, though discussion is very sparse. Amazon.com has a good selection of user reviews.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
1176 store reviews	In Stock. New	$219.99	See It
538 store reviews	In Stock. Free Shipping Pleasing People...Since 1936	$249.00	See It
5659 store reviews	In Stock. Ships Today	$234.99	See It
		See All Stores

Our Sources

1. CNET

Donald Bell at CNET gives the iPod Classic an "excellent" rating, saying "few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive user interface." However, he notes that not everyone will like having to upgrade to iTunes 9.

Review: Apple iPod classic (3rd Third Generation, 160 GB, Silver), Donald Bell, Sept. 19, 2009

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

ConsumerReports.org tests and rates seven hard-drive MP3 players, including the latest iPod classic. Testing is unbiased, and there's more discussion than in the past -- but still far less than by any other top reviewer.

Review: iPods and MP3 Players, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. iLounge.com

ILounge.com, which reports on everything iPod, delivers what's easily the most comprehensive report we've seen on the current iPod classic. Jeremy Horwitz says that the newest iPod is an improvement over last year's model in many ways, but it's not "trailblazing in any way."

Review: Apple iPod classic, Jeremy Horwitz, Sept. 15, 2008

4. Macworld Details/Subscribe

Macworld does hands-on and laboratory testing, but it reviews only iPods. Christopher Breen says the small improvements are nice, but they "will convince very few people to trade in their old reliable (and perhaps, higher-capacity) iPod classic for this year's model."

Review: Review: Second-Generation iPod classic 120GB, Christopher Breen, Sept. 16, 2008

5. Amazon.com

Only a dozen user reviews of the new Apple iPod classic have been posted on Amazon.com. Some are quite long and detailed. Some complaints can be found, but most owners are very pleased.

Review: Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL, Contributors to Amazon.com