TheRaven64's Journal: iPod Killer?

Dell debuts iPod killer, is the headline on El Reg. I recently purchased a (20GB) iPod, and was surprised by this (not least because I've used Dell kit in the past, and `dead', rather than `killer' is the adjective I would have chosen). The device is cheaper than the iPod, although since I paid the education price and qualify for a rebate having bought a PoweBook at the same time, it still works out as being more than I paid. It also has a longer battery life. The battery life has not really been much of an issue for me. It lasts 9 hours, which is more than enough, as long as I drop it back in the dock overnight. If I'm away from the home for a long time, I can recharge it from my PowerBook's FireWire 400 port.

I've seen the older generation iPods, and yesterday I had a chance to compare the two (mine, and one of the first generation 5GB devices). The difference is noticable. I am happy walking around with mine strapped to my belt (in fact I can forget it's there), but I would not want to do the same thing with the older model. The 5GB version is around 50% thicker, and around 50% heavier.

The reason I have been talking about the 5GB iPod, is that the Dell device is about the same size and weight as the older iPod. Personally, I would rather have a lighter device with a battery that lasts the best part of a day, than a heavier device that lasts longer.

The iPod comes with a dock that can charge it, and incorporates a line-out. I have this connected to some speakers at home, and when I get in I drop the 'Pod in the dock and continue listening to my music. The Dell does not have a dock.

One of the best things about the iPod, however, is nothing to do with the music playing ability. When I plug it into my Mac, it automatically syncs with my calendar and my contacts, so wherever I am, I can find out what I'm meant to be doing, and access contacts simply. Oh, I can also store notes. And it appears on my desktop like any other disk, so I can also store a backup copy of my home directory on it.

The Dell DJ seems to me to be in as different a market to the iPod as a Dell computer is to a Mac. The Dell is cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Oh, and they seem to be marketing the lack of support for AAC, in favour of the inferior WMA, as a feature. I have no doubt that Dell will sell a lot of units to people concerned about the price of the iPod, but higher sales volumes are not the same as a better product.