Okay, complaints about its $399 price tag are still raging, so despite the fact that we at AtAT consider that to be a pretty fair price for a gadget as advanced, as useful, and as achingly gorgeous as the iPod is, we're here to present three more ways to justify the device's cost. And just in time for the holidays! How considerate of us is that? (Don't thank us; just send cash.)

Method #1: Consider a heftier alternative. The iPod will look like an absolute bargain if you price out Hewlett-PAQard's new "Home Digital Music Player" first. As faithful viewer Edward Liu points out, a Reuters article quotes the product manager of the Digital Entertainment Center de100c as stating that his focus is on the need for "my music, anywhere." Sounds like the iPod's philosophy, doesn't it? But strangely enough, the de100c is the size of a "large VCR," so you'll probably have to spring for a backpack and a really long extension cord to take it with you-- and when you weigh the portability factor against this device's $1000 price tag, suddenly the iPod looks dirt cheap. Heck, just think of the money you'll save in chiropractic bills. (For best results, ignore the fact that the de100c has eight times the storage space, can rip and burn CDs, and plays Internet radio.)

Method #2: Score a huge discount after scoping Amazon's price. Faithful viewer Brian Freeman pointed out that, for whatever reason, Amazon is listing the iPod at the low, low price of... $599.99. (Inexplicably, the "Apple iPod MP3 Jukebox" also happens to be listed as a product of Applica Consumer Products, Inc. Who knew?) Yes, this is definitely Apple's iPod they're selling, as the description is the standard spiel about 1,000 songs and a 10-hour battery in a "stunning 6.5-ounce package." So now that you know that Amazon sells it for $600, you can jet over to the Apple Store and place your iPod preorder for just $399-- that's a miraculous 33% off Amazon's everyday low price! Act now, because at that level of savings, these things are going fast!

Method #3: Relax your definition of "iPod" just a little. If $399 still sounds like a lot to you, but you've just got to have an iPod or you'll die of a stroke, faithful viewer The Court Composer found just what you need: the i-pod. Sure, the name's hyphenated and it's in all lower-case letters. And sure, it's a contact lens case instead of a portable digital audio player. But this i-pod is still "compact and sporty," and it only costs 29 Deutsche Marks. That's a mere $13.41 in U.S. currency-- perfect for buyers on a budget. Go wild.