While the 770 was the original internet tablet, the N800 proved to be light years ahead of it. The N800 not only has a faster processor, but more memory, a camera, and is still supported (and will be for a while) through operating system updates. Still, whenever I show my N800 to someone, or describe what it is, they remark that it’s “like an iPod Touch.” To which I reply, “kind of, but this is better.”

However, I’ve wanted some proof that it’s better. Looking up the iPod Touch on Wikipedia, the processor is listed as a 620 MHz ARM processor, underclocked to 412. While that means that either way, the processor is slightly faster than the N800, what also gives speed is the OS. Nokia has done a great job optimizing their OS to run on a 400 MHz processor, and the speed usually is not a problem.

Most people, however, don’t care about the processor. It’s something hidden away to them, and as long as the device is pretty snappy, they’re happy. Both the iPod Touch and the N800 fit this description, I believe. So, the two big factors then become storage space and price. The iPod Touch comes in a couple of different sizes: 32 GB for $500, 16 GB for $400, or 8 GB for $300. The N800 comes in one size: 256 MB for $220 (this is a price estimate, and changes depending on where you buy it), but its memory is expandable by SD cards.

So, how do we turn a N800 into an iPod Touch? Well, the N800 has TWO SD card slots, so let’s utilize those. Looking up prices at newegg.com, I found a 16 GB SD card for $60. In order to compete with the highest level iPod Touch, we would need two of those (16 GB + 16 GB = 32 GB). That comes out to $120 for the SD cards, plus $220 for the N800 brings the total of a 32 GB N800 to $340! That’s a savings of $160. That’s even less than the 16 GB iPod Touch!

Let’s say you don’t need that much storage. A 16 GB iPod Touch retails for $400. Again at NewEgg, I can find a 8 GB SD card for $28, which makes two 8 GB SD cards cheaper than one 16 GB SD card. So, we’ll get two 8 GB SD cards for $56 + $220 for the N800 comes to a total of $276. That’s a savings of $124, and, again, less than the next lowest storage iPod Touch (8 GB model, in this case).

Now what if you just wanted the 8 GB? The 8 GB iPod Touch retails for $300. At NewEgg, we can either get one 8 GB SD card for $28, or a 2×4GB SD card pack for $28 (2 x 4GB SD cards seperately came to $30 total). I would get the 8 GB SD card, so I have the option to expand at a later date. This brings the total of a 8 GB N800 to $28 + $220 = $248. A savings of $52! Not quite as impressive, but still a good amount of money.

So, why do you pay so much for the iPod Touch? For starters, it’s a new product. I estimate the price of the N800 to be $300 when it came out, but even adding the $80 difference to most of those prices, the N800 is cheaper (except in the 8 GB case). The iPod Touch also has a couples interesting feature a multi-touch screen, and tilt detection (among others I’m forgetting, I’m sure). I believe you are also paying for the Apple name. It’s sad, but because of how much Apple advertises, and how well known they are, they can actually get away with charging more for things like this.

However, the N800 is not without its benefits. It boasts a slightly bigger screen, and a great community with many programs built for it. However, the community also has had a chance to grow, and it’s hard to tell what kind of community will develop for the iPod touch. The N800 also has a built-in camera and microphone for internet calls and internet video conferencing.

Regardless, the N800 and iPod Touch were still made for two different purposes. The N800 was made to be a fit-in-your-pocket way to browse the web (instead of having to carry around a laptop), and the iPod Touch was made to be a media player. Media playing was developed by the community mainly for the N800 (though it does have a built-in media player), and the web browser was somewhat of a “Hey, wouldn’t this be cool!” idea at Apple on the iPod Touch.

So, while the N800 comes to be cheaper, I also don’t quite believe it to be ready for mainstream. It is geared toward people who know a lot about computers, and want to program, or have something cool to show off. The iPod Touch is geared towards the general public, and Apple has done a great job with it. They are two different devices for two different purposes, and while I hope this is the last of the comparisons between them, I’m sure there are many more to come.

Now, for your enjoyment, a quick over-view of pricing (aka, the notes I used to write this post):

32 gb iPod Touch = $500
16 gb iPod touch = $400
8 gb iPod Touch = $300

16 gb sd card = $60 @ newegg
8 gb sd card = $28 @ newegg
4 gb sd card = $15 @ newegg
2x 4 gb pack = $28 @ newegg

32 gb n800 = $220 + $60 + $60 = $340
16 gb n800 = $220 + $28 + $28 = $276
8 gb n800 = $220 + $28 = $248

Best price saver = 32 gb! - Save $160!