So you’ve just got a brand new iPod and you’re wondering whether to buy a dock to go with it. But why can’t you simply plug it into the auxiliary input of your music system and enjoy music like ‘normal’ people do? I bet that’s something your parents would say; right? Agreed; iPod docks aren’t meant for everyone. But for those who want an accessory that looks good and plays music well, these gizmos are a must buy.
 
It’s cool
For a lot of people, an iPod dock is a cool accessory. Not only does is stand out of from the rest of the mundane electronic appliances lying around the house but it also adds style and character to a room. Check out the Ozaki iMini Pet iPod Dock (RS. Rs.6250), if you want something that’s really different. It even makes a great gift for a kid or even your favourite female companion.

It’s convenient
An iPod dock is a music system on its own and has a lot of advantages. Almost all docks come with a remote with which you can control your iPod. Most of them have remotes that have only basic controls like play/pause, volume control, etc., but there some that have extended functions such as the ability to let you browse through your menus. Then there are docks that have alarms as well, so you can wake up to your favourite music. A lot of iPod docks even have an auxiliary input, so you can connect it to a laptop, TV, mobile phone, or even another portable music player. Of course, all iPod docks also act as chargers for you iPod (apart from certain models such as the Shuffle). The JBL On Time Micro (Rs. Rs.9990) has a lot of functions such as alarm, radio, etc, but can be a little complicated to use. If you’re looking for a simple dock that also has an alarm clock, the Logitech Express Plus (Rs.3750) might just be the thing you are looking for.

It’s portable
Most iPod docks aren’t that humongous and can be carried around pretty easily. A lot of them even run on normal AA batteries. This way you can play your music in the living room, bedroom and kitchen or even take it to a friend's place for that awesome party you’ve been looking forward to. The Logitech S715i (Rs.7250) is an excellent example of a dock that’s light, portable and sounds good.

It’s expensive
Sure, there are some iPod docks that are affordable, but if you want a good one, you’re going to have to shell out a little extra dough. Of course, it also depends on what functions you want with the dock as well. The more functions a dock has, the more expensive it will be. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, such as the JBL On Stage Micro (Rs.4990), which is a small dock, best suited for your bedroom. It sounds pretty nice, and has some decent functions too. However, if you really want to up the ante, take a look at the Bose SoundDock 10 (Rs 42,638), which is a really good, but super-expensive dock.

So what’s the verdict? Well, there isn’t one, as buying a product such as an iPod dock is a very personal choice, and I wouldn’t want to get in the way of making that decision. However, I would definitely buy one if I had the money. In fact, I’m actually saving up to buy the Logitech S715i right now and hopefully, I should be able to afford it in a month or two.