Anyone have suggestions for an entry level iPod/MP3 player? My 11 y.o. really wants one. I know iPods are more expensive - are they worth it? She has saved her own money to purchase one. Thanks

Well...both of my kids started with just $40 MP3 players and those were fine for a while, until they just wanted more memory. At the time, this was a few years ago, they wanted the iPods, so that is what they got. They have come a really long way, in just a few short years with all different kinds of MP3's, so I'm sure there are tons more options now. The iPod is really easy to use with iTunes, lots of options with memory, color etc Great customer service from Apple. Just depends on what you want...

My mom got my son, who just turned 10 in April, an ipod shuffle for his birthday. It was 49.99 and had free shipping from Apple. He loves it and his other grandparents got him an itunes gift card for his birthday, too. I've got an ipod and have an itunes account so he could download the music with his gift card. He's got songs that came from things I've downloaded and loves it. He's actually very responsible with it, too. He keeps it downstairs in our bedroom on the computer desk cuz he knows he will not lose it here and no one will monkey with it either.

Just my two cents.

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If you do purchase an MP3 player just make sure you buy one with a built in rechargeble battery (that can be plugged into an outlet or your computer). Both my kids have MP3 players, but one of them takes AAA batteries and he goes thru alot of them!!!

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"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"

My dd 12, my dh and myself have sony mp3 players with a rechargable battery, my dd 10 has a phillips mp3 player that uses aaa batteries. (she uses her dad's or mine most of the time plus ours have bigger memory. We just bought my step-daughter a phillips with 2g memory and a rechargable battery,I think it has video capability also, I think it was around $50.00. My dss (18)( has an Ipod with the video and all he bought his own)

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~Jill~

"Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions" ~ Unknown

Thanks for your input. I think she's found one that will suit her immediate needs for less than $70. We'll see how responsible she is with it Are cases a good idea? I've seen silicone sleeves and I wasn't sure what kind of protection they offered. Should I look for a hard plastic case?

They both work just fine, just depends on the look you want. My kids use a cover at all times, otherwise the iPod will get scratched.