# Should I get an iPod Shuffle?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-ipod-shuffle/318179>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 22, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-ipod-shuffle/318179 "2005-08-22T21:26:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-ipod-shuffle/318179/21 "2005-08-26T17:48:50Z")

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> [@DiosaBellissima](#):
>
> The only thing that worries me: do I HAVE to use iTunes? I like loading my cds on my computer and putting them on my MP3 player-- I really don’t want to have to download music (crappy, crappy dialup).
> 
> Does anyone have a Shuffle? Do you like it? Does anybody want to suggest a better MP3 player?  
> And I feel lame for starting two IMHO threads today 🙂

You don’t have to use iTunes, but there is no reason not to. It is very user-friendly, and as already mentioned it will happily manage your existing MP3’s and allow you to import new ones from CD’s without even mentioning the Music Store.  
As someone else pointed out, no conversion is required. The Shuffle plays MP3’s natively, along with Apple’s proprietary AAC format (used by the Music Store).

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**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-ipod-shuffle/318179/22 "2005-08-26T19:57:32Z")

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> [@Tomcat](#):
>
> I do think the earplug cable is a tad long…

You need a [Smartwrap.](http://www.sumajin.com/online.htm)

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