"I still don't get it.

No problem. We who have them, do. Enjoy your PC. I'll enjoy my IPOD.

From the lack of meaningful responses to my question, it might be inferred that iPod owners <i>don't know</i> why they spend that bread. Either that, or they can't articulate the reason(s).

Fair enough.

Ever notice that iPod spelled backwards in doPi (as in dopey)?

Maybe some people don't need the world at their fingertips - they just want to listen to their music. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. There is no wrong or right here. It's all personal preference.

I didn't say there way any right or wrong. I asked what motivates iPod owners.

swandov, that was an excellent advertisement for iPod or any MP3 player I want one too!!

Robie...
Please define what you are referring to as a PPC? Definition of size and weight would be helpful.

If you want justification, I purchased my mp3 player (20GB Dell DJ) so I could consolidate my music collection to one place. So instead of shuffling through hundreds of cd's, I can simply select anything in my music collection - any time, any where.

Robespierre, do you still use an 8-track player?

My God, darling, it is only an iPod. You act as though you are carrying around Princess Michael of Kent's bloody tiara. Why not put it in the safe if it is that dear to you?? But, why wouldn't you want to carry it around with you? Isn't that the purpose of an iPod????

Don't be so naff, sweetie.

I've never owned an 8-track player. Why are you asking such stupid questions?

giro, I just searched eBay for <b>pocket pc</b> and got 2480 hits. See for yourself.

Robespierre, You win the electronic toy pi$$ing contest. Good for your buddy.

Robie:
thanks for being so articulate and responsive. You sound like someone's sixth grade teacher.
By the way...some people refer to them as PDAs.

You mean I should do your research for you?

By the way, people who call Pocket PCs PDAs are stretching the conventional definition of a Personal Digital Assistant. My favorite iPAQ application is a flight planning and navigation system called Pocket Flight Management System, the features and functions of which can be seen at pocketfms.com. A phonebook/calendar/notebook device such as a Palm Pilot isn't anywhere near capable of running it.

I think I'm beginning to understand why more people aren't buying PPCs. They don't know what they are.

&lt;&lt;From the lack of meaningful responses to my question...&gt;&gt;

I think my answer about the Transpod and the Bose SoundDeck should constitute a substantial response. You can't do anything like what either one of those offers you with a PPC.

In Robespierre's defense - - to Giro... I think that what people have come to think of as a &quot;PDA&quot; is <b><i>not</i></b> a PocketPC at all.

But then again, a PocketPC doesn't ordinarily have 20 or 40 gigs of storage, either.

Wait a minute. The iPod puts out a high-impedance audio signal, which the Bose amplifies and outputs.

Any PPC can do that.

loisco - if the value of having your music along justifies carrying it, then you have your answer. But I wouldn't leave it in the room if you want to keep it.

Robespierre, why do you <i>care</i> what motivates people's purchases or preferences? This seems to be sort of a running theme lately but I don't get it.

Personally, I can rationalize dragging all kinds of useless stuff around. Useless, unless you happen to be me. I <i>like</i> my digital SLR and even carry around extra lenses. But a lot of people would rather have one of those little pocket sized jobs. I like my Flashtrax, even though it doesn't do everything a PDA can do. Personally, I'm very glad it doesn't. PC = work in my mind. I don't want anywhere near a PC on vacation (I'm a Sr. Engineer in an IT field). The Flashtrax has a compact flash slot, can view RAW Nikon files in native format, play a little Ramones when I want (surreal while dodging horsecarts on transylvanian roads) and if really bored back at the room, I can watch some movies we ripped and loaded before we left (don't tell anyone). That's all we wanted. So if we can
have that for $295, why spend more?

Think of it as the K.I.S.S principle.

We have purchased the speakers from Apple and they are great for traveling. As well as sounding great and not costing an arm and a leg, they serve as the docking station. When folded up they are about 10 x 6 x 1 and weigh less than a pound. We used them in our rented house in Provence and it was just great...when we were in hotels, we just put it in the room safe.

Clifton, all I can say is that if you're in IT and don't want to carry a computer in your pocket on vacation, you're in the wrong field. In my opinion, of course.

Flashtrax movies: 320x240x30 fps (Hmmm. Just like my iPAQ 2215 - $299.)