4g iPod Touch: 32g vs. 64g

Up until now, one of the many fatal flaws of the iPad has been it's inability to read and write to flash memory, other than that purchased in the iPad. Of course, Apple designed this flaw into the iPad so that you could never expand the memory with flash cards, as netbook users can, and would be forced to buy the most expensive models. Help has now come in the form of the PNY Zoomit (and others), that fit on the universal connector and allow you to use SD cards as memory expansion. 32 GB of flash memory is already less expensive than buying the extra iPad capacity, and it is only going to get less so.

Are you asking about an iPod or an iPad?

Carole, At the time I bought my iPod Touch, the memory choices were somewhat limited, so I had to settle for a 16GB model. For the most part, that's been quite adequate, and even with a movie, some photos, E-books and music, it's only about one third full. Which capacity to get will depend to some extent on how you plan to use it. If you load a lot of movies, lots of memory will be required. Some App's also require large memory. For music, E-books and most App's, 32GB should be quite adequate. Even with "older" eyes, reading with an iPod Touch is not too bad. However, I wouldn't want to use that method all the time. That's the same situation when using it for web browsing and E-mail. It's fine for "light duty" use, but I much prefer a larger screen and a "normal" keyboard. Overall, it's a very worthwhile travel accessory, and I pack it along on every trip. Happy travels!

Dear Lee: Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful help. Thanks to your previous post, I bought a Dell Mini 9. While useful and easier on the eyes, when traveling alone, the extra weight becomes a handicap. Sometimes on the road, I can be a real klutz. Hence, I'm looking at the ipod touch. Dear Andrea and Ken. I'm inquiring about the iPod Touch. I really don't like the glare of the iPad and find holding it hard on my grip. I know it's going to be a trade-off, but after much internal debate and experimenting on the road, I must say that the weight & size of anything I carry is my #1 concern, unless it's a book. Thanks again for more food for thought!

Carole, It was the iPod Touch (italicized) that I was referring to in my previous reply.

Hi Ken: Yes, I got that, but I accidentally lumped my response to you with the one I was sending Andrea. No worries!

Memory space - if I have it, I'll fill it...there's some law about vacumns... My husband's 64GB has 10 GB available...LOL! I really have to watch the space on my 16GB :-( I'd like to put LOTS more on it! And I don't have any movies/videos on mine...what the heck is on that thing LOL?!? It's not nearly as hard to read on it as I would have thought. I wouldn't want to spend more than an hour on it, perhaps, but then I've never tried to. You turn the page ALOT, but that's OK - page-turning is VERY fast; it's faster to flip though a book on the iTouch than to manually turn the pages of a book. I definitely turn it sideways so that my eyes don't have to move back-and-forth soooo much. You can put your guidebooks on it; this year, RS' guidebooks have several COLOR maps (as usual) and some color photos, so that's easier to see on my iTouch than my Kindle (duh!). You can 'blow up' the image as large as necessary on an iTouch - great for maps! I have no qualms about reading on it, but if my Kindle is within reach...I'll probably grab it instead. Unless I'm feeling extremely lazy... It's 33% more to get 100% more...In for a penny, in for a pound - if you think you'll use it...which, I believe, is the question ;-)

I believe the PNY Zoomit also works with the iPod. Not only does it make expansion from 32 to 64 less expensive, you can also go beyond 64 if you want to.

I'm kind-of curious about what you plan to store on your iPod that would require 64 gigs. I brought my 16GB iPhone on my trip, with a ton of music, apps, and photos already on it; a couple hundred photos later, I still had at least 3 gigs left on it. 32 seems like plenty to me.

Dear Lee: Thank you for suggesting the PNY Zoomit, but it is beyond my electronics/computer abilities right now. By the time I learn something, something new comes out. But it's good to know options.

Dear Eileen: Your answers are just what I need to know too.
I was concerned I wouldn't have enough space. I might like to have tons of apps on it. (Wish I had a crystal ball.) Getting a 64g now would be cheaper than a future-generation Touch, unless they can start giving haircuts and massages. Ha! Many thanks for your help.

Videos and Music take up the most room on portable devices like iPods and iPads. If you have a huge library of many thousands of song, movies, podcast, tv shows that you must carry with you all the time get a device with lots of storage space. If you have less or can live with less get one with smaller storage. An average movie take 1-1.5 GB, 10-12 CDs might take 1 GB. Think about what you want to do with the iPod and give yourself a little headroom. Apps take up little space but if you have a lot they can add up. Also you can shoot pictures and video with the iPod Touch so think about that too.

Carole, I thought you were asking about the Touch, but when I read Lee's response I was not sure if I misunderstood the question. I have a 16g iPod Touch. I have music, pictures, a couple dozen apps, etc. On mine. I still have about 20% of my memory left. I don't have any movies or videos on it. I would think that for most people a 32g would be sufficient. As for reading books on it, I do have the Kindle app and put some books on it. I personally can't read the small print for too long.

"I would think that for most people a 32g would be sufficient.". OK, Andrea - that sounds like a snide remark directed my way ;-) You know I'm not ' most people' LOL!!!

Hi Andrea: Yes, I was inquiring about the iPod Touch. I'm getting a lot of votes for the 32g and the price is the budget I have in mind anyway. Do any of you have feedback on charging the Touch overseas? Any pitfalls?
I read a recommendation for the Power Monkey charger on this board. Do you agree? It's pricey, but perhaps the portability makes it worthwhile. Many thanks to everyone. You've all been very helpful.

I adore my 64gb Touch, and could not get by with less. I travel with a lot of pictures, music, and video files. Heck, I have over 5gb just in apps! For my purposes, the 64gb was well worth the price. No clue on that monkey charger, I just use a regular wall charger and cable.

You don't need a power monkey charger but the ipod touch does not come with a charger (it comes with USB cable) that charges the ipod touch when it's plugged into the computer but the apple charger is nice and small sort of like a 1" rounded cube sells for $20 at apple but it is much cheaper on amazon as are many similar items. Then you need a plug adapter for europe.

Carole, we have 2 square-cube chargers; one of them is like this: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB352LL/C?fnode=MTY1NDA4NA&mco=MTM3NDk1NzI (sorry; had trouble getting the link to post) No, they aren't the cheapest things on the planet, but if you get one from Amazon be sure you get an 'official Chinese model', and not an 'unofficial Chinese model'...Read the CURRENT reviews very carefully; the suppliers can change over time, so you want to read about the most recent product being offered. Bad things can happen if you get a bad charger :-( I'm actually typing this on my iTouch as it's charging...

I have a wall charger for my iPod. You can buy one anywhere that sells iPod accessories. That and a plug adaptor is all you need. And yes Eileen, that was a snide remark directed at you...;-)