Fashionably Compact Apple engineers squeezed all the best features of iPod into a case weighing just 3.6 ounces and smaller than any cell phone(1). iPod mini features an anodized aluminium case that resists stains and scratches. The case weighs practically nothing, but protects iPod mini in your pocket, purse or backpack. Recessed in the case to keep its surface pristine wherever you lay it, the 1.67 inch (diagonal) backlit screen displays full song names and more. Like its (slightly) bigger brother, iPod mini gives you over 25 minutes of skip protection and lasts up to 8 hours on a single battery charge. So you wont pay a penalty for miniaturization. Can Touch This In fact, all the features of iPod are still under your thumb. Always striving for perfection, Apple engineers moved the iPods buttons under the wheel. The iPod mini Click Wheel gives you the enhanced durability and sensitivity of the iPod Touch Wheel, with buttons underneath. The Click Wheel takes best advantage of miniscule space and lets you scroll single-handedly through 1,000 songs from your iTunes music collection. Youll find such thoughtful construction only from Apple. Because try as they might, the competition cant touch this. Oh, one other minor detail, you can choose your iPod mini in one of five trend-setting colors: silver, gold, green, pink or blue. (All shiny.) The iTunes Music Store Build a collection of music on your iPod mini with songs downloaded from the iTunes Mus
1 People Love Minimalistic Gadgets
The next big (little?) thing to take the world by storm is the Ipod Mini. I'm not sure what it is about small electronic devices that puts a giant smile on everyone's face, but this one definitely gets the job done. As soon as I heard about it, I knew that it would eventually be mine. A few days later I found myself standing in the store with a new blue Mini in my hand, ready to be paid for.
The Mini is great for people who need to move around a lot at work and can't stand near an outlet all day, just clip it onto your pants and crank the volume. Chances are, you won't even notice that it's there due to the almost non-existent weight of the thing.
My one gripe about the Mini would have to be the earbuds. They tend to hurt my ears after only a short amount of time with them in. However, I'm thinking the fit of them might just take a while to get used to since I stop feeling the pain after a certain period of listening. Then again, maybe my ears had just gone numb by then.
After all is said and done, the Ipod Mini is an amazing product that will hold your attention for countless hours. It becomes addicting very quickly, especially when you take notice of all the skins and other accessories out there for it. I think even moreso than loving minimalistic gadgets, people really love add-ons. It's an obsession.. why else would The Sims exist?
2 My new necessity
I'm glad I waited to get my iPod Mini cause the newer version of the 4GB is the best investment I have made. The Mini is compact enough to wear on your pants pocket or belt without much thought to it being there.
It has many uses, it can be used as an alarm, to hold contacts, important dates and so on...I was very impressed and not to forget it holds music too! I will probally not have more than 500 song on it but I'm glad I made the purchase I used it at work for the first time today and my ears did not hurt to much after 6 hours of constant wearing (make sure you used the ear pads included!).
Accessories:
Grab a dock and iPod case (I like the Belkin Pink case), that's about all you need!
Battery:
Make sure you go to Apple's website and check out the info on battery life and the to do's and not to do's it will truly help you and the life of your battery.
Warranty:
I purchased mine at Best Buy and my advice is to go with their 3 year warranty cause they can replace your battery in store without having to wait 6-8 weeks for AppleCare to get back to you and Apple's cost twice as much as Best Buy's. Trust me it will be worth it!
Enjoy!
3 Wonderful product---when it works
I received the 4gb iPod mini as a Christmas gift, and I must say I was ecstatic to get it. Shortly after, however, I started noticing problems with it. On certain songs it would play about 10 seconds into and then either freeze or pause and then skip to the next song. At first this was only a minor irritation, but it soon grew into a nuisance. It turns out Apple had sent me an iPod with a corrupt hard drive (which from what I understood from online forums and the tech support at the apple store is not a uncommon occurance). I was rather impressed with the speed at which they replaced it (especially since mine is a personalized one and I wanted to keep the personalization). I have recently encountered a new problem: the display is broken. It is, for the most part, blank (as if the iPod was turned off), when it is on and even playing music. This is most frustrating as it makes it very difficult to select the music I want to listen to. What makes it even more difficult is that the best way to get the display to turn on is to push the menu button (making attempts to select music even more frustrating as its sets me back a step). I have not yet visited the apple store in regards to this problem, but I will be incredibly irrate if they do not replace it, as I have done nothing to it to warrant such a malfunction. (I have also tried reformatting it and resetting it) Now don't get me wrong--the iPod is a very addictive device. Unfortunately it is this very quality that makes it difficult to live without it during repairs.
Apple also has horrendous tech support; the only way to get any useful information (i.e. anything besides make sure the hold button is not on if the it is not turning on) is to go to the apple store (an hour drive for me). Apple also charges 50 dollars for a call to their phone support after 90 days from the purchase. They do offer a support package (I believe it extends the warranty and gives you free phone support) but it costs somewhere around 70 bucks. Apple can also charge up to a 100 dollar diagnostic fee for iPods sent in for repairs that are not covered under warranty. I do not know if they would actually charge someone that, but I do no have enough money to risk it. I am then left with only the option of driving to the apple store, which is rather frustrating.
In conclusion, the iPod is a wonderful product--when it works. I also think that if Apple is content to sell such a shoddily constructed product, they should make their tech support a lot better. I would reccomend that anyone who is interested in purchasing a large capacity mp3 player look to other similar devices by other companies (i.e. dell).
4 My baby!
I adore my iPod! I update it and charge it every day and I've become so protective of it that I'm ashamed.
The sound quality is stunning- the iTunes that it comes with manages to improve upon the digital music files. The touch wheel will keep you amused for hours. Plus, it comes with a calendar, a contacts list, and four games (solitaire, javanoid, a quiz on your own music, and "parachute"), as well as an alarm clock and sleep feature that I use every night.
If you are hesitant because of the amount of songs it holds- "only" 1000, let me tell you that I have had my iPod for almost 8 months now and I've only filled it halfway. If you are a HUGE music buff, you MIGHT exceed the 4 GB limit, but I have a friend who is forever downloading music and has over 30 CDs, and she still hasn't reached 1000 songs. The color never fades or scratches off, and now laser engraving is free on the Apple site. (Buy it there- it's totally worth it!)
5 Great for music teachers
I recieved the ipod mini as a Christmas gift from my parents and have really enjoyed it. I am in the process of preparing for a spring musical program and decided to try using the ipod mini instead of the cd's. With a little rigging (running the ipod mini through an inexpensive wireless karoke mic) I can move around the cafeteria as we rehearse on stage. I am no longer having to run back to the stereo to stop the music to fix a problem which allows me to better hear the students from all areas of the cafeteria for sound and balance. I have complete control over songs and volume and am very mobile with the ipod mini on the armband. I also like the fact that the song titles are on the ipod mini so I do not have to worry about accidentally playing the wrong track. It is also a good way to introduce technology to elementary students as they all are curious about the box strapped to my arm. The only problem is that when I am driving my car and listening to the songs on shuffle as I like to do, these songs pop up and they are not quite what I want to hear on the weekends and afterschool but I can bear with it for a few weeks then the program songs will be removed. Ideally it would be good to have one for home and one for work as I am really seeing posabilities in the classroom and the best part is that I no longer have to haul my boombox from my classroom to the cafeteria and back everyday. Everything is on my arm. I just unplug and go. Plus, it would be nice to have all of my CD's in one place in order to save time, as I said all sorts of possabilites for classroom use. The sound is great too, I hear things in songs I've never heard before.
6 NEW GENERATION OF MP3 PLAYERS
I got an iPod Mini a few motnhs ago and loved it from day one. The best part about it is obviously it's whopping 4GB of memory, and the slim, sleek design. The screen is also very easy to read, and ClickWheel navigation is also very simple. Here's a short overview of my opinions:
PROS:
- sleek design
- lots of memory
- you can put lrics on your iPod and read them on your iPod screen
- worth the money
- make your friends jealous
CONS (a surprisingly large amount):
- poor battery performance. the box says that it can go for 18 hours on a single charge, but they really mean about 5 hours if you're lucky
- annoying 'iTunes' is the only way to put songs on - not the simple click and drag method i used for my previous mp3 player
- can't delete songs directly on the iPod - have to connect to your computer and sync it
- VERY DIFFICULT to install software onto Windows computers
but overall, iPods are really cool!
7 Worth the hype
I've seen some bad reviews on here, none of which the Ipod Mini deserves. I got mine for christmas (6 months ago) and it hasent broken since, ive even dropped it a few times with no case! I take mine everywhere. Everything about it is perfect, i love it, everybody should own one.
8 overall good product
I love my ipod, there are only a few things I didnt like. I had to re-install the software because the first time it didnt go right and itunes couldnt recognize my ipod.. no problem.. un-installed, re-installed, that time it went fine.. so it took some time for all this but its ok because the manual said to charge it for 4 hours anyway.. it is easy to organize my songs on itunes, i have several playlists so it makes choosing songs on the ipod simple. the earbud quality is ok, not fond of them because they can fall out easily. the wheel is very sensitive and i accidently turned up the volume too loud, gave myself a shock! so I learned to use the lock feature so that wouldnt happen. love the smal size and easy to use, you can get lots of accesories for it. i've used it for 3 days now and still am halfway through the battery life bar. I like not having to eat through so many batteries. thumbs up!!
9 i love it......when its working
My ipod broke 2 times! 2 different ways, the 1st time there was a technical problem, i had 2 drive all the way 2 the only mall i know of that has an apple store (30 minute drive, an hr together). May i remind u, this happened 2 times. Now the second time it broke, it was my fault, i dropped it, but it should be durable enough for that. I love my ipod completely, and have since the day i bought it, but i am gonna take a hammer and smash it 2 pieces if i have 2 returned 1 more time. So i dont recommend this product to clumsy people, teenagers who aren't very sharp, and people with short fuses. And 2 ppl who already have 1 and are having problems, go 2 the support website. The website was SO helpful, and i promise SOME ONE has had the same problem, and will help with the problem. so good luck 2 some, beware 2 others.
10 lots of hype....
Like most people, I saw the ads and wanted an iPod mini, too. I liked the design, controls, and size. Then I did a little research, and I'm really glad I didn't rush out and buy one like I wanted to. Something none of the commercials tell you is about having to have an iTunes account and pay for the music you put on your iPod mini.
Second, iPod has that battery that you can't remove... when your battery goes dead and you need to replace it (as rechargeable batteries do from time to time, such as in your cell phone or cordless home phone) guess what? You have to go to an Apple store to get them to fix it. Ugh.
So while it may look cute and come in those nice colors, iPod is not the machine for me.
11 Ipod is a rip off
I overall love my ipod! The only problem is the rechargable battery when it goes dead cannot be replace with out sending it to the factory and me having to pay for the ipod again because they have to take it apart. Ipods are a rip off, don't buy on, by a better iRiver or something! I'll check back if something changes!
12 AWESOME!
I got my mini recently and LOVE IT!! I've had it playing at work now for 2 days straight and haven't had to recharge it. So far it is on hour 12!! The sound quality is great and I love the controls. I would recomend this to anyone.
Before I got my I was anticipating it's arrival so I downloaded Itunes and put all my songs in there, so when my ipod finally arrived all I had to do was connect it and it downloaded all 625 songs in a matter of minutes. I did let it charge overnight before using so maybe this helps with the battery.
13 Love it! (Except the headphones)
The ipod mini is by far the best ipod of them all, the best mp3 player out there, actually! The ipod's sleek metalic look is much better, I think, than the other ipods. The 4 gig hard drive is also enough for most people's music, and with the new 6 gig, thats plenty.
For me, the best features are:
Great Interface
Great sound
Click wheel
Fast download to ipod
As with all products, there are the complaints. I have one: The earphones (though they have great sound) SUCK. They really hurt my ears, and I don't know about other people, but that gets annoying! I can keep them in my ears for a few minutes until they just really hurt. Now you may notice that I put 5 stars, what I really mean though, is a high 4. If it weren't for the headphones, it would be a high 5!
I recommend the ipod to anyone and everyone who wants lots of music on the go.
14 Love my iPod
I've only had my iPod for a few days, but so far it's great. The sound is wonderful and the interface is easy to use. The touch wheel is a bit sensitive... I nearly rendered myself hearing impaired after accidentally turning the volume way up. I primarily use it at the gym and it's nice and light. When I'm running, I can use the clip it comes with to clip it to the machine, otherwise, I can clip it onto my shorts and it doesn't bother me at all.
I had some problems installing, however. I'm using windows XP and the cd that came with the ipod didn't have the most current software for formatting the ipod, whereas I had the newest version of iTunes already on my computer. After downloading the newest software updates, everything worked just fine.
15 The iPod mini is great
Well, I finally gave in and bought an iPod. I decided to go with the mini because it's 100 dollars cheaper than the cheapest regular iPod and it's nice and small. So far I've been very impressed, the sound is great even through the little ear bud things. Very easy to navigate. I also think the mini is better constructed than the regular ipods, I prefer the aluminum construction, it doesn't show every little scratch like the shiny plastic and it's durable. I also like the longer battery life of the mini. Setup was fine, I'm using Windows XP, a little bit of confusion because of the need to format the ipod for windows use, but overall it went well. As long as you follow the instructions, you should be fine. Battery life is nice and long, no problem. The only issue, not a big one, is that the touch wheel takes a little bit of getting used to, sometimes it seems a tad too sensitive. Make sure your hands are clean when using it, it works best with clean dry hands. I'll check back in a few months to report if everything is still good. Overall I think it's an excellent product and a pretty good deal for $199.00.
16 worth the money, really easy to use
One thing that everyone hears is that when you first get the ipod you have to charge at least four hours. Wrong. If you buy it at amazon, then yes, its true. But i bought one at circut city and when i opened the box and turned it on, it was fully charged. The sound is good depending on what type of earphones you are using. The earphones that came with the ipod have great sound, but after 5 days of having them, my left earphone no longer works. The menu is easy to navagate and easy to read. The touch wheel on the mini is not as easy to use as it is on the 10, 15, 20, and 40 gb ipods. The complaint almost everone has is that their ipod locks up (freezes) too often. It only does that is you push a button twice really fast by accident or if you make a weird movement on the touch wheel. I can swear that they said that the ipod has 8 hours of battery life, it seems like mine gets about 6. The color of the mini seems to fade away if you use it as much as i do. The ipod dock is cool but its not worth the money, and i suggest you get some type of case for your mini.
17 Really Cool but has some riffs
For all you people out there wondering about Ipod, You should get one. There really great for people always on the go like me. I was hopeing for a 20 gig Ipod but parents said it was pointless. But there is a huge problem with the battery life. It says that it is 8 hours but my was slashed in half. Tested it only 4 hours until it died. Sucks. But hey I might just get the normal Ipod for my birthday. The thing is really portable so thats awesome.
18 "awesome awesome awesome" way to get more spam
I learned the hard way about the bogus "get-a-free-iPod" deals that are continually being posted here!
Just say no! After signing up, I received 500+ spams and a dozen telemarketing calls in less than 24 hours. What a nightmare.
I guess the saying "you can't get something for nothing" is an old chestnut for a reason.
iPod minis are great gadgets. It's too bad (...) are using them for bait.
19 Awesome........................
This is my first MP3 player and I'm in love. I-Tunes is very user friendly and I was able to copy the majority of my favorite cd's into i-tunes with no problems. I was amazed that it only took about 30 minutes to transfer about 300 songs to my ipod.
I ended up buying the dock and the Logic3 stereo speakers, but found that the charging dock was a waste of money. I use the Logic3 (which has incredible sound output for something so compact)at work, but it also does double duty as a charger.
The only problem I have is that i-tunes doesn't recognize my ipod as soon as I connect it to my computer. It usually takes me tinkering with the program software before it responds.
Overall, I'm very happy with the features and I show it off everytime someone stops by my desk.
20 Didn't work with Windows XP
Just bought mine here on Amazon - tried to install the iTunes software on my Dell XP system - got an error message "cannot find or create required iTunes folder in My Music. Called Apple support, after discussins with two tech support folks, answer was "windows problem". Have to return to Amazon.
21 not worth the hassle
Things that are good about it:
1. Good sound quality
2. Good organization with your music catalog
3. Right size to run/work out with.
Things that make it not worth the hassle:
1. Have to use Itunes to upload songs. Other music software won't work. Itunes also is expensive to buy songs.
2. Battery life is reported to be 8 hours, but I've found it to be more like 4 hours. Plus, the battery drains while the Ipod Mine is in standby when you're not using it.
3. Less than 2 months owning and using the Ipod Mini, my harddrive crashed.
- 1st call to Technical Support gave me local service centers to go to, but when I talked to them they said they'd only work on it if I had bought it from them.
- 2nd call to Technical Support said they would allow me to return it to them for free repair but they'd charge me $30 for shipping. Also tried to upsell me the service plan for $50 instead.
- 2nd Call Part two: Transferred to Customer Relations who said, no charge for shipping actually, and recommended I do all the service requests online. (Good to know). Apple Wouldn't refund the product because I bought it from Amazon.com. And Amazon.com won't accept it for a refund unless its within 30 days of purchase (nevermind the fact that it took 10 days to get here after i bought it). Either way, I'm stuck with it. Just hope they can fix it the first time.
22 How Cool Is That?!
I received my iPod Mini just days ago, and am already hooked on it. Since I'm a Mac user setting up the iPod and getting it running is as easy as 1-2-3. I've easily loaded my favorite songs from over 30 different CDs. I'm amazed at the sound quality it delivers. My only complaint is:
1. The unit does not come with earphones, which seems like buying a car without a steering wheel.
If you're a pseudo techie you've gotta' got an iPod. Make mine green!
23 My latest technology acquisition...good deal!
My latest technology acquisition is the 4GB iPod mini, which arrived a few weeks ago. I've transferred a whole bunch of music (good stuff, and a few guilty pleasures) onto it already, and it's already seen good use: it's helped me get to sleep many times when I was feeling not so well, or could just not relax. I ordered it just after the prices dropped, holding off thanks to a tip from one of my co-workers, who heard through the rumor mill that a move by Apple was afoot.
I've been traveling a lot, and I figure this was a much more compact way of transporting music for the next time I go on the road. I knew the iPod mini was small, but I wasn't really expecting it to be as small as it is. Hopefully, there are no issues, and it turns out to be a good investment!
Some practical stuff: my order arrived promtly. The device is easy to use, and interfaces easily with iTunes for Windows. I've not tested the battery limits yet, but the limits appear to be much greater than 8 hours, so I suspect the 18 hours advertised is possibly quite true. I'm glad I paid the extra money over the iPod Shuffle, as I can't see having such a device without a display.
24 You gotta get one
This is the coolest little thing!its worth the money my dad paid for it. i admit it im not very fond of the color pink but i got used to it when my dad bought it everyone who lives at my house has one except for my mom. not i jus gotta get a iPod Shuffle!
25 Screen failed after only three months
I am very disappointed with the product manufacturing quality as well as Apple's customer service for iPOD MINI. I purchased the MINI less than 3 months ago. Whithin three months, the central area of the LCD blacked out. When product was returned to Apple for service, Apple insisted customer cracked the LCD, and refused to service the product that carries 1 year warranty. The unit wasn't ever dropped on the floor, or compressed in unusual manner, but Apple described the issue as "abusive use". To me, it is a toal rip-off for a product short-lived within 3 months. An expensive product with sleek look, but poor manufacturing quality. Apple's "customer relationship" department worths visting, when you want all the BS, and excuses to shut you off. I hope there is good product out there to replace it soon.
26 "the next big" way to get more junk emails
Let's face it, you can't get something for nothing!
The San Francisco Chronicle recently exposed the real story behind the so-called "offers" that are continually being posted here.
Do a search on Google or on sfgate.com for "iPod not really free David Lazarus" and you will see what the con artists running these programs are really up to.
In a nutshell, it's just another way for spammers and other sleazy people to steal your personal information.
27 A kids Review
I have a silver mini iPod and I think it is the best. You can download a lot of song if you are a person like me. The Pepsi music also helps you save $ on iTunes. If you buy the iTrip (see apple website) beware because if you add more radio frequencys then it takes up space.
28 Was good -- for 1 month!
It was an okay player -- though I think I like the creative ones more if you have an non-apple computer. Then the thing breaks after 1 month. What a piece of crap.
29 Was good...For 3 months
Well, I got the ipod mini for Christmas, and for the first 3 months, everything went smoothly. However, I dropped it on a wood floor (the first time I've dropped it), and the screen broke completely! So now, it's useless. Blehhg.
30 Can't get something for nothing!
Don't get sucked in by the "get it free" scams in the fake reviews posted here. Spammers are just harvesting email addresses for their ridiculous products.
Think about it for a moment. How can somebody afford to give away expensive gadgets just for signing up for some trial offers? Answer: they can't!
The San Francisco Chronicle confirms says these offers are bogus. Search sfgate.com or Google for "David Lazarus Free iPod not really" and you'll see what the jokers running these programs are really doing.
31 I LOVE this thing!
I got my green mini through cingular rewards. I work for Cingular and get points for sales, etc. The mini was 9,196 points. Well worth it. Some people have said their's locked up on them. Mine has been great. It's one of the few things i've gotten in recent years that wasn't made shoddy and just a piece of junk. The finish looks really nice, the belt clip holds it very sturdy, it's so easy to use, and it sounds great. I've bought a couple different headsets for them and found the sony pair the best (I have no idea what model they are. They just sound great.) I've put 716 songs on it so far (about 60 cds) and sometimes wish I had more room. I have over 2000 cds. But then i'd just be loading it up and not listening to most of the stuff on it. With only 4 gigs of space, it gives me plenty of music but makes me erase some stuff every now and then to put something new on it. It's not annoying in the least simply cuz I love to play with the thing.
Some advice for anyone just getting the mini: If you start to import a cd, sometimes you'll get a very irritating click at the beginning of track one. I've noticed if you just play the cd for about 2 seconds BEFORE you import a song, it won't put the click. I'm guessing it's because the disk is already spinning at full speed when you begin importing, rather than it having to spin it and then begin. It's worked perfectly for me so far.
Anyway, I love this thing and constantly recommend it to all my friends. I'm definately getting another one (pink) for my fiance.
32 Don't get fooled by "iPod offer"
Don't fall for the "get an iPod for free" scams in the fake "reviews" posted here. It's spammers harvesting email addresses for their ridiculous products.
Think about it for a moment. How can somebody afford to give away $250+ gadgets just for signing up for some trial offers? Answer: they can't!
The San Francisco Chronicle also says these offers are bogus. Search sfgate.com or Google for "David Lazarus Free iPod not really" and you will see what the people running these programs are really doing.
33 Don't be an "iPod offer" chump!
Don't fall for the "get an iPod for free" scams in the fake "reviews" posted here. It's spammers harvesting email addresses for their ridiculous products.
Think about it for a moment. How can somebody afford to give away $250+ gadgets just for signing up for some trial offers? Answer: they can't!
The San Francisco Chronicle also says these offers are bogus. Search sfgate.com or Google for "David Lazarus Free iPod not really" and you will see what the people running these programs are really doing.
34 I was wary of buying it
Gave me a couple of scares when the songs started skipping and it wouldn't turn on, but strangely enough when I took off the volume adjustments on the songs, they stopped skipping. And as for it not turning on, it was out of batteries, because I hadn't listened to it for a couple of days, but I've learnt my lesson and always plug it in to the charger if its not being used. I've also dropped the unit a few times without the skin, but apart from the little scratches, it's fine.
PROS:
-very light, I put it in my pocket and I thought I lost it at the end of the day, I guess this is sort of a con.
-feels very VERY nice in your hand (small, compact)that anonized stuff around the mini feels like a nice kind of cold crisp
-sound quality's alright it's mostly the quality of the mp3 file you've gotta worry about
-decent colours, but would like to see orange replace gold
-4 GBs is more than you think, just put only your favourite songs on it, if you want to put your whole music library into it, i suggest one of the other iPod with larger capacity
-USB capabilities
CONS:
-easy to break, COUNTLESS # of ways to screw up an iPod mini
-after a while you can hear staticky noises at loud volumes
-after the first time the scroll wheel loses its aura, then it gets dirty and sometimes selects the song that comes after the song that you actually want
-the earbuds are crap, the wires can stick out and it can shock you (I've been shocked before), it's more than a con, its dangerous!
-you have to baby it if you'd like to see it last more than a year
OVERALL: These things aren't "hip" anymore now that everyone's got one. They even stopped showing the iPod commercials on TV. Now they have the 5GB mini with the coloured font on the scroll wheelydealy. The regular 4GB is down to $199. My 5 month old mini already feels ancient. I say buy one if you want, the pros and cons cancel each other.
35 More or less met my expectations.
As with most high-end products, you'll hear both good and bad things about it, in equal quantity. I held off buying the iPod mini until the price went right down, and with that time now here, I went online and bought one right away. I chose the green one, in case you're interested. Overall, I am very pleased with it, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
With that in mind, here is my breakdown of my iPod experiences thus far. Keep in mind that I have had it for about one month at the time of writing this.
PROS:
- Excellent build quality and durability. It is almost like Murphy's Law with me, that the most expensive gadgets I buy will always be the first to get dropped. I have dinged my iPod around, and it has sustained absolutely no damage. The nice finish doesn't attract smudges and fingerprints like the regular iPods do, and the tactile quality of the click wheel (much better than on previous models) is excellent.
- The sound quality is excellent, and I have compared it against many other jukebox MP3 players, as well as many flash-based ones.
- The iPod and iTunes supports AAC, which offers good compression of your songs without the sound quality suffering.
- 4 GB may not be on par with the 40 GB model, but I found it to be all that I need, and I am a big music collector. I have no need to take ALL of my music with me.
- The iTunes software is much better than Windows Media Player or the proprietary, copyright-protected nightmare that is Sony's burning software. Importing and transferring has been relatively hassle-free. Loading songs onto your iPod is simply a matter of drag and drop.
- The "Cool Factor." This is an iPod after all.
CONS:
- The battery life. This is a common complaint, and the only real caveat I have against the iPod Mini. The player boasts "up to" 8 hours, but that is under ideal conditions. Ideal meaning that you do not use the backlight, the EQ, or skip through songs too much. On average, I get around 6 hours total...but I am a song-skipper, and I like to have the volume cranked right up.
- Make sure your thumbs are clean while using it. The white click wheel can get dirty rather easily.
- The songs will transfer super-fast over USB 2.0 or Firewire, but don't even think about doing it on a USB 1.1. Most computers don't have the aforementioned ports as a standard, so you will probably have to shell out more money for an expansion card for your PC.
- Those trademark white headphones might make you a tempting target for muggers. Use generic ones instead.
Despite the few drawbacks, I am happy with my purchase. Some other reviewers have commented on everything from bugs, skipping, to downright freezing or dying, which I have no experienced despite heavy use so far.
36 Changes for the Good
I just got my silver iPod Mini yesterday at Circuit City. I wanted one so bad, after seeing my brother's regular iPod work so good. One HUGE problem I had with the regular iPod, though, was the touch wheel and buttons. It just doesn't feel natural, hardly even touching something, and then it be activated. The click wheel is much better. I was about to get a 1GB iPod Shuffle, but my mom and I decided that its much smarter to get something with a screen and that can hold over 4x as much songs. It was a very good investment. I already have 12 songs on my iPod, and I already love iTunes. iTunes is very easy to install if you have a good, up-to-date computer-Mac or PC. an iPod is a huge step to the perfect iPod.....it might even be the perfect iPod - perfect price, perfect size, perfect storage size. Don't miss out on the fad and get an iPod Mini, or any iPod for that matter (they all sound pretty good to me.) P.S. You don't have to have a Shuffle to play songs randomly - you can do the same thing with other iPods.
37 Definently worth the cost
I bought a green ipod mini a few months ago when it was selling at $250. I wasn't sure at first whether I wanted a mini or an ipod with more capacity, I have about 25 cds and like a ton of music. Currently I have 249 songs on my ipod and I'm no where near to filling it. I figure,that by the time my music collection got bigger there would be a better music player out.
I have seen the bigger sized ipods and they are much harder to use, the buttons on them are more like indents where you sort of have to rub your finger around to get the ipod to react. With my mini ipod the click wheel is very easy to get used to and the buttons on it react instantly to your touch.
Its incredibly easy to find music on itunes, you can type in the names of the artist, album , soundtrack, song Etc. They also have lists of the top 100 songs for many categorys of music. The one problem I found with itunes was that THERE ARE NO BEATLES SONGS!, a slight problem which I'm sure you can solve by talking to your parents or your parents friends. Just put the cd in your computer and it loads teh songs.
The sound gets VERY loud and the quality of it is good. Great price, buy it now
38 Flat Sounding: Not much Bass
I have had an Archos Recorder V2 for about a year now & it has been great. Recently I bought into the Apple ipod hype & got an Ipod Mini
When I say that Archos is better sounding than Apple Ipod, I know it our of experience. Unless you haveused other mp3 jukeboxes, you might think that ipod has great sound. However, there are other better sounding products out there.
Ipod for all its hype sounds flat; no bass or depth. Archos sounds fuller when playing the same songs. Ipod surelay has a great look & definitely a great interface. No doubt. Howver, at the end of the day I need a great sounding jukebox.
Although Apple's Ipod looks great & is snaller in size than Archos, I care deeply about the quality of the music. And even with the best headphones & numerous tweakings, Ipod is flat. And, yes, I have tried all the EQ settings & with Seinheiser earbuds.
Serves me right for buying into the hype.
39 How did I live without it?
I had my doubts about the Mini iPod. I decided that carrying around heavy, bulky CD cases were out of the question. After I'd invested in a Sony MD player I became painfully aware of the discs I had to carry around... not to mention having to remember which songs were on what disc. I had to find an easier way to carry my music around.
So I bought my iPod today... and I don't know how I ever lived without it. Everything is so organized and easy to use. I have 1500 songs at my fingertips 24 hours a day.
The only downside: It doesn't come with a charger... but it charges when hooked up to the computer by the USB cable.
Other than that it's great! It's small and sturdy... and very lightweight. They come in adorable colors and have very customizable features.
40 the price RISES yet again
about 4 weeks ago the price to get this same thing (ipod mini)was $180. Now it's $205. are you nuts apple makes their ipods for a little less than $30 and their selling them for $205. It's a total rip off. i would not get an ipod mini unless the price is below $150. Sure it's great with all it's songs and extra features but, it's not worth the money. I'd wait for the price to drop before you buy an ipod mini.
41 great product!!!
ipod mini is the best...super light, super small, great for running and biking.
42 Such a great product!
I am in love with my iPod Mini. It really is a great investment, and is definitely worth every penny. But boy did it put a dent in my bank account. Eh, small price to pay for something so wonderful. I recommend it to everybody.
43 Pretty good if you have a good computer...
First of all I'd like to say how very impressed I am with amazon.com! I ordered the super saver shipping and got my i-pod via UPS the next day instead of in 10 days like it said! Unfortunately, we don't have windows XP or ME on our crappy computer so I can't even use it until we get a new one. But I'm sure it'll work nicely.
I just have one reccomendation for amazon-I didn't want to enter my entire credit card number over the internet, so I just entered the last 5 digits as prompted, but never got a phone number to tell them the rest of it! It was very inaccessible and very hard to find, and it drove me crazy searching for it for hours. I'm sure it can be made easier-to-find.
Overall, very happy with my first order from amazon.com, and will definitely be ordering again!
44 Great device
I borrowed this item from a friend and used it for a cross country trip. I also got an FM modulator to plug it into my car cigarette lighter so I could hear it through my car stereo. It sounded pretty good and was great when I couldn't pick up any good radio stations.
45 Nice
Nice. Everythings great, but there's too many accessories to buy. I spent more money on accessories than the iPod mini, itself. And, now there's a 4 GB and a 6 GB starting at $199 with a longer battery life.
46 Very average
My iPod, which I bought @ the SF Union Square in Summer 04, started to behave aberrantly starting in Fall 04; the problem worsened over time, which prompted me to ask for a replacement iPod @ the Apple store in Fashion Island, Newport Beach. After two long visitations, they confirmed that the iPod was defective and gave me a replacement. Interesting thing is that that, after 90 days, you have to pay for shipping charge, which... amounts to be $29.95. Consumer is responsible for paying for Apple to send the bad iPod all the way back to... CHINA!!! The international shipping fee is on us!
Battery life remains loyally below 8 hours with every setting turned off. With EQ and some shuffling with 192/320kbps AAC files, I get 4 hours. What kind of trip can I take with a relatively bulky and heavy mp3 player that only plays for 4 hours? Basically, this iPod will die on you after a half-a-day on campus, and by the end of the day, you realize that you've been carrying around your iPod as a mere eye-candy that doesn't even stand out in the crowd with so many random Joe's carrying around some sort of iPod somewhere.
And, the anodized alumnium case isn't dent resistent--even less so than normal Samsung phones; it dents quite easily... 1 drop = huge dent + possible HDD damage --> eventual doom.
I would normally not write a review for anything, but I think people should realize that iPod isn't so great, esp. if you're going to be using it between classes or during business hours or whatnot.
Whenever I carry this around, I sometimes wonder why I bought this POS instead of just buying a normal Creative or Samsung that lasts for days...
BTW the belt clip isn't slip proof: it sometimes comes off of your workout shorts when your on a treadmill or running or anything that involves lots of moving... Don't run with ur iPod. Only walk. Even on a treadmill.
Wake me up when September ends, and by then, Apple might have a better iPod. but until then, don't buy iPod.
47 Easy to set up, works great, but one complaint.
I just got my blue ipod mini today from the apple website. It took me about 30 minutes to install all the software and register my ipod at the iTunes website. I don't plan on buying any music at the iTunes store, I just wanted to transfer my favorite songs from my vast CD collection to my ipod. The color is very rich and vibrant, it looks great and works with ease. My only gripe is that they don't give you a USB power adaptor for an electrical socket. Since they don't include one with your ipod mini, you have to charge it buy keeping it connected to your computer. Also, the computer has to be kept ON while the ipod charges. I hate having to leave my computer on for 4 hours while my ipod is charging. I recommend that you also buy a power adaptor so that you can charge your ipod from an electrical socket. I know I'll need one for when I go home, and am not able to take my computer with me.
48 Excellent Mini Ipod
I think the mini ipods are great however, I would recomment buying them from apple.com until Amazon gets the new version in stock. Its the same price if you use a student discound otherwise the price is $20 more. However then newer model has 18 hours of battery life vs. 8 and the scroll button is illuminated
49 Windows XP vs Ipod and Squeaky Speakers
I bought the mini Ipod in the Dubai Duty Free and am resident of India. The product has been a nightmare to use - Copying songs from my windows XP pc has resulted in requests getting timed out all the time. Especially for big files. And it gives a firm ware error all the time. Also service for Ipods is bad with the service centre staff being slow to respond and completely apathetic. Also I found that the problem with Windows XP is endemic and they suggested I move to a Mac. Also the service centre told me that the money back guarantee does not work in India. Itunes does not work in India either.
To make matters worse the speakers started squeaking after a couple of weeks of use. Please suggest how I can get my money back. Forget the time wasted trying to repair it!
50 Easy to Use / Sounds Great,but Some Features are Frustrating
My sister bought my father an iPod. I have been setting up my father's iPod for him, and it is easy to see why the iPod is so popular. "Ripping" CDs to your computer hard drive and transferring them to your iPod is tremendously easy, and the iPod's menu is intuitive. One of the best compliments I can pay? I found my father with his eyes closed, kicking back in his easy chair, the iPod earbuds hooked up to his ears--he had the biggest smile on his face. I have found the device to be frustrating in some ways, though. First, while it is easy to transfer music TO the device, new users should be forewarned that it takes much more work to transfer music back FROM the device to your computer--and regenerate your playlists (in case, for instance, your computer hard drive crashes, or in my case, when I tried to copy my Dad's music files from his C: to his D: drive and accidentally corrupted the files; I had to completely rerip scores of CDs). You also can share the music between your iPod and only ONE computer.(Apple limits how you transfer your files to make it more difficult for people to pirate music, but it also limits legitimate use of music you legally own). Secondly, the iTunes music store is not available in Asia, where my father lives. (Again, because Apple is afraid that people in this region might pirate music), which unfortunately limits my father's ability to legitimately buy and download music. Those are severe limitations, so I can only give the device three stars. I will not buy one fo myself, but overall, it has been a great gift for my Dad.
51 Great player, but an old model
Remember that prices on this Ipod have gone down significantly because it is the old 2004 model. Spend a little more, and instead buy the newly released model, which supposedly an 18-hour battery life as opposed to the first-generation's 8-hour battery life. I have the new 2nd generation Ipod Mini, which I bought this weekend, and it is terrific. I haven't been able to clock the battery life, but I charged it for the first time on Saturday, and today (Tuesday evening) it is at about half of its original charge.
52 This is not a review
And thus I fully expect it either not to appear at all, or to be swiftly deleted. But, in the hope that someone at Amazon.com will actually read this, I only wish to make a suggestion to the Amazon.com management: Would it be possible to institute a policy under which any review that contains any variant on "And here's how to get one free! Just go to [site] and sign up to do a few surveys!" would result in the account being barred from posting reviews, possibly for two to six months? Just a thought.
53 Love it!
Everything's better in pink!
Seriously, I had it for two days before I brought it back. There were no problems, I just didn't want to be greedy, since I already own a 15GB 3G and a 20GB 4G. But for the two days I had it, I fell in love with it.
Battery life: Never had to recharge it in those two days. I didn't use the equalizer - since the equalizer setting you use in iTunes transfer to the iPod, I didn't have to.
Look and feel:
This thing is really cute! And if you get one in silver, I guess it's cool. The functionality of such a small device is unbelievable. The brushed metal look is even better in color, and the click wheel interface makes it really simple to use one-handed (but you still shouldn't use it while driving - don't learn that the hard way).
Functionality:
I transfer a lot of files back and forth, which is why this is less useful to me than the 15 and 20GB models I now have. As a design student, I need to move large Photoshop documents from home to school and back on a semi-weekly basis, and it's so easy to just drag and drop them once you enable disk mode.
I also bought my first audiobook at Audible.com last week. The iPod places 'bookmarks' where you leave off, so you can just pick up the story whenever, and not miss a beat. And the wheel makes it easy to back up in case you feel you've missed something.
Cost:
With the recent price drop, the 4GB model is now priced at what it should have been. It's good, also, that the 6GB model is only $50 more, since having nearly 4 times the storage at a $50 price difference didn't make sense. Perhaps Apple could look over their pricing again? It's still $299 for a 20GB, so if you're not really into the colors, you get a lot more storage for a little more money.
All in all, this is a really good player. And since I won an incentive contest at my job last week, I will soon be the proud owner of another brand new iPod mini! I guess it was meant to be.
(I think the only drawback is if it's really true that they don't include the wall charger with the 6GB models... That kinda bites.)
54 Great mp3 player
I've listened to several different mp3 players, including the Dell Jukebox. The Jukebox sound cannot compete with the iPod minis. The colors are fun, and you can customize your equalizer settings to get the sound you want. It holds a lot more songs that it seems and has games to play while waiting in Restaurants. (seriously)
55 Good Things Come in Small Packages
I had long wished for my own Mp3 player, and my wish was granted last summer. As soon as I saw the iPod mini, I knew that that was the one I wanted. I got my iPod and spent many hours listening to my tunes and buying songs off the iTunes Music Store. However, my happy and perfect time with my iPod mini did not last long when I was pummelled by one of my friends while I had my iPod in my pocket in a tarmac parking lot. My precious iPod was flung to the ground and got stepped on by accident and now has about ten scratches on it (thankfully on the back). I had read in a review of the iPod mini that it was scratch-proof "even if it was placed face-down on a rough surface;" I have now cleanly disproven this statement.
Besides that, the iPod is the ultimate pocket companion for the road. I took my iPod with me on vacation and helped me get through the long hours on the plane. The "Music" section sorts songs by artist, album, genre, composer, and audiobook. My favorite part of the iPod mini is the On-the-Go playlist feature, that allows you to create your own playlist, well, on the go, so you can play your favorite songs continuously without looking for them, and then clearing it again the next minute. The Click Wheel is totally functional and a lot better than the touch wheel and buttons on the old models of the iPods.
Overall, the iPod mini is fun, innovative, and the ultimate Mp3 player!
56 love it
I got my ipod mini approx. a year ago. in the first three months of having it, it died,but i contacted the ipod website, and sent the nonfunctioning ipod back to them. within a week they sent me a brand new ipod. i have had no problems with my new one, and i must say the customer service was fantastic. anyone whos ipod is not working, DO NOT RETURN TO THE STORE! SEND IT BACK!
57 Question???
I know this is supposed to b a review, but i had a question. I might get this except 4 1 little thing. On the technical description they say a minijack is the headphone jack, so is the headphone of normal size for my W. ear Sony headphones or wat.
58 Apple Deserve a GOLD for their Mini-Silver iPod! A Great Buy
I don't know a great deal about everything, however I've been a huge fan of every iPod model since my very first purchase. I kept notes from that first purchase and every upgrade purchase I've made since then. After finally getting my Apple 4GB iPod Mini Silver M9160LL/A, I decided I would take the time to pass on my thoughts in the form of a review on Amazon.com.
I didn't ever think I would become a member of this sort of "technology cult", however Apple has just blown my mind away with their ability to consistently improve quality and impress me with style and functionality. Apple really pushed the envelope with their design and choice of color schemes.
Perfect? Not perfect, but pretty close considering I've only had a few problems with it-all of which can be taken care of with a sort of "Re-Boot"-all you need to remember is to hold down the SELECT and MENU buttons for just under 10 seconds. It seems to take care of any small issues I've had. I'll bet that most people don't put their machines through the sort of consumer testing that I do. But if you ever DO run into any problems, you can "Re-Boot" or go to the Apple website and locate your particular situation and they've convered all basis with great responses. If for any reason at all you can't locate your problem ,or if a "fix" doesn't work, simply email Apple and you'll likely have an educated response within just a few hours or less.
You will be extremely impressed with the quality of sound you'll hear on your iPod Mini. You will also notice an increase in volume as well. A salesman told me that I could expect a difference in sound but Apple wasn't really advertising each facet of this great device. He also informed me that this model will not likely have problems jumping around or skipping-improvements were definitely made and I can't imagine what any future models will have to offer!
Remember to enjoy your iPod and to not worry about anything going wrong. It's likely that you'll never run into a problem. Be certain to follow the instructions and charge for 4 hours. The rest is all about enjoying great music and being able to depend on awesome sound quality and volume improvements.
I hope this review helped and I'll be sure to keep in touch with any future developments along the iPod line. It's hard to believe all of this coming from a PURE-PC Person. That was before I discovered Apple and especially the iPods!! The truth is that I've been converted! Thanks APPLE!
Enjoy!
Pete Cannice
from Scottsdale, Arizona
Email: Horsepete@aol.com
59 Just got my 6 GB mini ... Awesome !
Wow! Got the e-mail from Apple (Since I own the a 10 GB 1st Gen. and a 40 GB 4th) on Tuesday about the release of the new players, ordered it, and had it today, Thursday! 2 days!
Anyway, I ordered the green and I have to say it's a much richer green than the previous 4 gb. Looks awesome and, as usual with the other ipods I have, the setup and installation was a breeze. Sound quality excellent! Ease of use excellent! Just excellent period!
I own, and have tried players from other manufactuers like iRiver, RCA, and most recently, Creative. All of them have their own set of problems and nothing comes close to the ipod. The iRiver I own has inferior sound quality, the RCA Lyra locks up frequently, and I don't even want to get started on the Zen Micro. It froze up so many times I returned it to Amazon within 2 days. I thought it would be an ipod competitor since it came with an FM radio and a removeable battery. But, oh man, what a piece of junk! I'm just hoping Apple will one day put an FM tuner in their ipods. I think if they do, everyone else can just close shop. I could care less about a removeable battery because there are always new players coming out so frequently, I usually purchase the latest one.
The only small beef I have, which almost made me give it 4 stars, is that they took away something that used to shipped with the previous ipods. A "wall outlet" charging cord. The only accessories that ship with this new mini are: a USB cord that goes from the player to a USB port, headphones, a carrying case/clip, and the documentation/CD. That's it. No charging dock or wall plug. The only way you can charge this player, with what ships, is to connect it to a USB port on your computer. On the Apple website, the wall "power adapter" is $29.00. Personally, I think they should just scrap the crappy headphones that most mp3 players ship with, and include the power adapter.
This new 6 gb is just another fine example why Apple has over 90% of the portable player market.
I just can't wait to see what they come up with next!
60 Recommended, but With a Few Caveats.
When Apple launched its aggressive marketing campaign for the iPod, I reacted with a degree of resistance. Why bother getting an iPod? I own hundreds of CDs, and the disc player I already have is fine as it is. But once I got my hands on the mini, it instantly changed the way I listen to music. The iPod mini is a nice way to listen to/store your favorite tunes, and it deserves both praise and criticism.
THE PROS?
It's easy to install. All you have to do is recharge your iPod mini, connect it to your computer, transfer your music library on your hard drive to iTunes (which you will need to install either from the website or the enclosed CD), and you're ready to play your iPod. It's that simple. If a dolt like me can operate this thing, so can you.
Store up to 1,000 tunes. But that figure assumes that the average song you load is 4 minutes long. Because I like to listen to a lot of extended dance remixes that are 6 minutes or longer, I really have only 700 tunes max on my iPod. Still, that's a lot of music to carry.
Easy to carry and you'll look cool. The iPod mini is my new buddy at the gym, where almost everybody has one. With the right accessories (sold separately), you can clip it to your pants, wear it with an arm wrist, or carry it in the palm of your hand while running.
THE CONS?
Flimsy headphones. The iPod mini has decent sound quality, but you wouldn't know it by using the headphones, which deliver a thin and hollow sound. Not only that, but one of the speakers has already blown out after only a week's worth of use. Apple should be ashamed of themselves for manufacturing such weak headphones.
8 hour battery life? I don't think so! Battery life is such a controversial issue with the iPod, because so many people have claimed that it's much less than 8 hours. If you don't use the click wheel and keep the volume at a low level, then I'm sure you may get 8 hours if you're lucky. But I like to turn up the bass on mine, use the equalizer, and set the volume relatively high - all of which gave me a battery life of only 3 hours. So, the more features you use on your iPod mini, the less likely you'll get anything close to 8 hours. (Note: the new iPod minis now have a battery life of up to 18 hours, which is more than double that of the one I currently have)
THE BOTTOM LINE:
All in all, I like and recommend the iPod mini to anyone with a fairly large CD collection and an up-to-date computer. But it comes with its flaws so consumers should be advised before jumping in. And depending on how often you listen to music, you way want to skip this and get the 20GB, the new 30GB iPod photo or even the 40GB for just a few dollars more. Overall, it gets my green light.
61 Great, but wait.
The iPod mini is the perfect portable music player for anybody without an enormous music library. My 1300 song library fits on the iPod mini's 4GB storage. It is truly small, slightly bigger than my (small) cell phone. This is great, but don't buy it yet. Announced Feb. 23, the iPod mini will be released with new colors, a full color screen and 5 or 6 GB's of storage. ALL FOR THE SAME PRICE!! I am a PC guy, but Apple has perfectly designed the iPod mini. So wait a few weeks, then buy a new iPod mini.
62 The latest news about iPod mini and more...
Apple announced a major upgrade to the iPod lineup today (23 Feb 2005) and here is how it affects the mini:
The biggest advantage is the reduction in price ($ per GB) and improvement in battery life. Another significant change is that USB 2.0 is being emphasized although FireWire continues to be supported. AC adapter is USB based instead of FireWIre and the FireWire based AC adapter still sells as a separate product for $29.
> A new model, iPod mini 6 GB is introduced for $249
> iPod mini 4 GB now priced at $199 ($50 down from earlier price)
> Change in colors - now mini is available in new shades of Silver, Blue, Pink, and Green (the Gold color is discontinued)
> Major improvement in battery life - up to 18 hours (was 8 hours earlier)
> AC adapter ($29) and firewire cable ($19) no longer ship with mini (have to be bought seperately if you need)
> iPod mini 4 GB and 6 GB now ship with only three things: earphones, belt clip, and USB 2.0 cable
> The indicators on the click wheel now match the color of the iPod mini
Also, the higher models of iPod have been upgraded:
> iPod 40 GB is discontinued
> iPod photo 40 GB is discontinued
> iPod photo 30 GB (new product) replaces the 40 GB iPod photo and the regular iPod 40 GB
> iPod photo 60 GB now costs $150 less -- $449 instead of $599
> iPod photo 30 GB costs $349 ($150 less than iPod photo 40 GB and $50 less than regular iPod 40 GB)
> iPod dock ($39), AV cable ($19), carrying case ($29), and firewire cable ($19) do not ship with iPod photo (you may not really need them)
> Now we get three things with iPod photo: earphones, USB based AC adapter, USB 2.0 cable
> In additon to the above, a firewire cable continues to ship with iPod 20 GB & iPod U2 edition
> iPod photo Camera Connector is introduced - this can be used for connecting your digital camera directly to the iPod
With these changes, there is an interesting $50 gap between:
> iPod 20 GB and iPod photo 30 GB
> iPod mini 6 GB and iPod 20 GB (as earlier)
> iPod mini 4 GB and iPod mini 6 GB
> iPod shuffle 1 GB and iPod mini 4 GB
> iPod shuffle 512 MB and iPod shuffle 1 GB (as earlier)
I am sure iPods are going to win more and more friends.
63 The latest news about iPod mini and more...
Apple announced a major upgrade to the iPod lineup today (23 Feb 2005) and here is how it affects the mini:
The biggest advantage is the reduction in price ($ per GB) and improvement in battery life. Another significant change is that USB 2.0 is being emphasized although FireWire continues to be supported. AC adapter is USB based instead of FireWire and the FireWire based AC adapter still sells as a separate product for $29.
> A new model, iPod mini 6 GB is introduced for $249
> iPod mini 4 GB now priced at $199 ($50 down from earlier price)
> Change in colors - now mini is available in new shades of Silver, Blue, Pink, and Green (the Gold color is discontinued)
> Major improvement in battery life - up to 18 hours (was 8 hours earlier)
> AC adapter ($29) and firewire cable ($19) no longer ship with mini (have to be bought seperately if you need)
> iPod mini 4 GB and 6 GB now ship with only three things: earphones, belt clip, and USB 2.0 cable
> The indicators on the click wheel now match the color of the iPod mini
Also, the higher models of iPod have been upgraded:
> iPod 40 GB is discontinued
> iPod photo 40 GB is discontinued
> iPod photo 30 GB (new product) replaces the 40 GB iPod photo and the regular iPod 40 GB
> iPod photo 60 GB now costs $150 less -- $449 instead of $599
> iPod photo 30 GB costs $349 ($150 less than iPod photo 40 GB and $50 less than regular iPod 40 GB)
> iPod dock ($39), AV cable ($19), carrying case ($29), and firewire cable ($19) do not ship with iPod photo (you may not really need them)
> Now we get three things with iPod photo: earphones, USB based AC adapter, USB 2.0 cable
> In additon to the above, a firewire cable continues to ship with iPod 20 GB & iPod U2 edition
> iPod photo Camera Connector is introduced - this can be used for connecting your digital camera directly to the iPod
With these changes, there is an interesting $50 gap between:
> iPod 20 GB and iPod photo 30 GB
> iPod mini 6 GB and iPod 20 GB (as earlier)
> iPod mini 4 GB and iPod mini 6 GB
> iPod shuffle 1 GB and iPod mini 4 GB
> iPod shuffle 512 MB and iPod shuffle 1 GB (as earlier)
I am sure iPods are going to win more and more friends.
64 Try This!
This is a really great player, but don't get this, apple just came out with a new player that is the exact same thing with extended battery life and is 50 dollars cheaper. Or, if you're willing to pay the full 250, get the apple ipod mini 6GB, which stores 1500 songs. For more info, go to www.apple.com.
Thanx
65 The more competition there is, the less great it seems
A lot of what you pay for with the iPod of any sort is the name, and the design. Apple is excellent at making a streamlined design, and if that's what you're looking for, they've got you covered. So far as features to price ratio, however, they're not really that great.
I have had four or five iPods in the last few years, so I'm hardly one to say they're not worth the price. While I do love my iPods, I realize they're not really for everyone. I got the mini for working out -- the armband that you can get for it fit my arm a lot better then the behemeth sized one for the regular iPod.
They minis are only about 4 gigs in size. When I say "only", I mean in relation to other MP3 players. 4 gigs is actually enough room for just about anyone. After all, not many people listen to every track of every CD they own. However, if you do, the mini probably is not for you. For me, personally, it's fine, because the music I listen to is dependent on my general mood -- I'll listen to the same "set" of songs over and over for a week or three, then I'll cycle it out for something new, but I *never* listen to all my music at once.
The mini, in addition to just playing your music (but not your WMAs!), will also do some basic calendar, contact, and notes functionality, along with a couple of games. It sort of wants to be a PDA, but it doesn't really cut it. I'll stick to carrying around an extra device for that functionality, so for me those are more "throw away" features.
I don't like the new click wheel. I find myself, more often then not, changing my selection right before I click, so I end up with the wrong song, or menu item. It often takes me two or three tries. I'm not sure if it's because the wheel is overly sensitive, or maybe my nails make it harder to operate (and my nails are not terribly long, especially for a girl).
I've also had a problem with the iPod Mini locking up on me, usually after I've used it in my car. I will unplug it from the audio jack in my car (not the power adapter) and bring it inside, and it will no longer power on. I'll have to press some combination of play and menu, hold for 10 seconds, before it will come back to life. In fact, I returned a previous Mini because of this problem and the new one seems to suffer the same issue.
On the other hand, all the iPod's I have had have stood up very well to the tests I've put them through. I've kept my iPod Mini in an "iSkin" in the entire time I've had it, which may help, but either way, it has taken a beating in my purse, at the gym, and dropping off the treadmill. Definitely well built in that way.
For me, the positives outweigh the negatives, mostly due to the fact that it takes a beating and is small but not too tiny. However, it's probably not the best choice for everyone.
66 PINK IS IN FOR A NEW COMMUNTERS
I RECIEVED THE IPOD FROM MY JOB AS AN REWARD, WHEN I RECIEVED MY PRIZE I WAS AMAZED HOW SMALL! I LOVED IT, MY HONEY HATED IT AND TIME IT TOOK FOR ME TO FIGURE OUT THE DOWNLOAD BUT THEN I HAD TO BUY THE FIREWIRE USB PORT FOR THE LAPTOP (WHICH I FOUND TO BE SUCH A INCONVIENCE) TO DOWNLOAD SONGS I WAS FRUSTRATED I HAD TO BUY ADDITIONAL ACCESORIES, BUT THE I REALIZED IT WAS FREE TO ME, SO FORKING OVER 30 DOLLARS FOR THE FIREWIRE USB PORT WAS OK, ONCE I GOT THAT IN THE LAPTOP I WAS COOKING FOR SURE NOW IM A PRO AT MUSIC DOWNLOADING AND ITUNES NOW I NEED TO GET NEW EAR PHONES-CAUSE THE ONES THAT CAME WITH THE IPOD MINI SUCK,THE BOSE SYSTEM-TO PLAY MY FAVORITES SONGS ALL DAY AND NITE,THE WIRELESS CAR ADAPTER-FOR WEEKEND IN THE CAR, THEN IM SET FOR MY LIFE WITH PINKY THE IPOD
67 My Pink iPod
I am really enjoying this iPod. Whenever I get bored i pull out my pink ipod and listen to music. I start to dance and sing. It amuses me very well. Whoever invented it, I give them props. It gives me a lot of storage room for my songs and I am able to listen to them whenever I want, wherever I want, and however I want. My iPod RULES!
pEacE OuT-
68 Great product, poor service from Apple direct - Use Amazon!
Hi,
I experienced really poor service ordering from Apple direct. I first placed an order for a personalised ipod mini and the lead time on delivery was set at almost a month later from order placement. I needed the ipod sooner as it was a gift, and I contacted Apple and I suggested changing my order to a standard ipod mini rather than personalized in the hope this would improve delivery. They told me that the engraving process only took 5 minutes and it wouldnt improve delivery at all. A few days later I contacted them again in the hope they could improve the delivery and was told by a different sales contact that by changing to a standard ipod this would improve delivery greatly. I changed the order and the delivery did improve to ship in a couple of days. The day passed and the shipment hadnt been made, and the lead time had gone back out to the same time as the original personalised ipod mini. I contacted them again, and after holding for 30 mins was told that that was just what the lead times could do - just change at any given moment! I promptly cancelled my order, and ordered with Amazon. Sorry, Apple, fantastic product, rubbish service.
69 Great product,bad battery
I recieved my silver mini for my birthday two weeks ago, and I have had no problems with it.Here are the pros and cons.
Pros:
good 4gb hard drive
games(solitare,music quiz,parachute,and brick)
a lot of add-ons
stylish and compact design
perfect click-wheel
calendar,contacts,notes,and clock
Cons:
battery is much lower than 8 hours
should support WMA,but since it is made by apple,it doesn't
sort-of slow transfer from wma to mp3 or aac
70 a rip-off
I'm sorry to say this is not worth 250! your only paying for a small design. think about it. you can buy 20Gb for 300. if you would by 20 gb total of ipod minis, it would cost 1000 dollars. go figure. buy the full sized or the U2 ipod.
71 Colorful, Efficent, and very small!!
I got my pink mini ipod a week ago and I love it. Just one thing to know before you buy the ipod- you need Windows 2000 or Windows XP to download itunes to it. If you dont you can always download XPlay to your Windows 1998 or ME. Even though the ipod is kind of on the expensive side, it is worth it. It can hold up to 1000 4 minute songs!! It has excellent sound quality and is tinier than your walkman or diskman. They are very stylish too- they come in blue, lime green, pink, silver, and gold. I can take my ipod anywhere!!
You can take your ipod almost anywhere, except in the water. You can take it jogging, to the office, in your house, etc. You can shuffle all your songs up and discover the songs you never knew about. The ipod also come with 4 fun games that you can play while your listening to music. They are Brick, Parachute, Solitare, and Music quiz. My personal favorite is the Music Quiz because it plays a song and you have to hurry and say what song it is before time runs out. The faster you know it, the more points you get.
The only thing you will get frusterated on is downloading the songs. This process may take a while and you will sit for hours downloading music into your ipod. The best way to do it is to do a little bit a day or else you will get totally burned out!!
The ipod comes with a firewire, 2.0 wire, a plug adaptor, itunes cd, the ipod itself (duh!), earbuds, and an instruction booklet. The hardest thing I had trouble finding out was how to turn the ipod off. You dont switch hold, you have to hold the >// button on the bottom for at least 6 seconds. Then it switches out and you can switch it to hold.
72 Mini vs. Standard
My 3G 40 GB froze and went into Apple Care. So I bought a Silver Mini. Maybe it is my current infatuation, maybe I'm just glad to be back in the Ipods. But this is a superior unit. Much more solid. Love how I can put it in the front pocket of my jeans. My old pod felt like a brick in comparison. As far as storage goes, one really should store their music collection on a computer or external hard drive and off-load onto the pod. A Thousand songs should be plenty. Of course, if you have songs and audiobooks on there, you might start to get space conscious. The ergonomics of this unit are so far superior....its similar to the difference between one of those 5 year old cell phones compared and a sleek and sweet Samsung. My point deduction is for those Apple earbuds. They irritate my ears and basically suck. They really should be wireless. In any event, they should be much more comfortable and have better sound. The shuffle is a toy. The standard is a brick. The Mini is mine.
73 A few flaws, but overall excellent
After some deliberation, I decided to buy an iPod mini. The price was a bit prohibitive ($380 Canadian with tax...ouch), but the iPod mini's ease of use, superb sound quality, and stylish look are worth crowing about. A lot of people have complained about the iPod mini's relative lack of storage space compared to its older brothers, but I consider myself a pretty hardcore music fan, with my fingers in all different genres, and I only have 556 songs on my Mac. That's a lot of music, people. And I still have 1.3 gigs left over! So don't be afraid that the mini has "only" 4 gigs of storage space. You'd be suprised how much you can fit on there.
Now for the bad stuff: The battery life is disappointing. Sure, most of us won't need to go for eight straight hours without a recharge, but if you listen to your mini a lot (as I do), you might be suprised at how quickly the battery drains. Apple's advertised 8 hours, in reality, is more like 5-6.
Also, don't be fooled by everyone around you wearing those white Apple earbuds - they're just trying to look trendy. The earbuds (included in the box, along with a belt clip) are okay, but have a weak lower end (bass) and are a bit tinny. Most earbuds are, though. Pick up a better pair of headphones - I use Panasonic Shockwaves, which get nice bass and aren't expensive at all. Still, if you really want to draw those stares, use the earbuds. Whatever floats your boat.
Another thing: Check out the iPod mini in real life if you can. It's actually much smaller than it looks in pictures (that's a good thing). And a note for PC users: You'll probably have a few glitches setting up the iPod. Such is the nature of the PC. Mac users, of course, could be brain damaged and still get the iPod up and running in a matter of minutes.
Overall, I'm hugely impressed with the iPod mini. It's ridiculously easy to use, it looks great, and having a thousand songs in your pocket at any given time will blow your mind. No more skipping, no more changing CDs...it's golden. Definitely check out the mini if you're in the market for a good MP3 player.
74 Poor battery: approx 5.5 hours
I don't usually write reviews but I was so badly treated (or rather: ignored) by Apple's service that I felt I should warn others. Beware of the battery rating. "8 hours" means one song played over and over. Under ordinary circumstances you will average about 5.5 hours. And, heaven forbid, you should skip to the next song, you can drive the battery down to 4 hours or less.
On the positive side: the wheel interface is very good.
75 Veteran Owner-Has worked perfectly-Tired of negative reviews
I am so tired of all the negative reviews, of people who don't know how to work it (its so easy to use! omg), of the people who give up and return it, and of people who have never even had one and say bad things about it.
I've had my ipod since April 2004 (10 months) Woot woot! So I am more experienced than all of you and have something very important to tell you. The iPod mini is great, and THE easiest music player to learn to use and navigate through. Besides that it scores major points for popularity, it is practical. A while ago, it actually malfunctioned (because I had it so long, and thats cool you know), and I had to send it in to Apple Repair Service for a new iPod mini. The service was great beyond belief! I got the iPod back in 2 days after I sent it, only paying shipping charge. So that turned out really well actually, where I was scared it was over. Oh BTW, battery life is fine, 8 hours is really a lot if you think about it. And 4 gigs is plenty. So as far as specs go, the iPod mini passes the test.
I also bought my mom one for Christmas, and set it up for her too. She loves it too. Even an old lady like her can use it.
So in essence I've set up 3 ipods (2 of mine cause I got a new one after I sent it in, and my mothers). All times- no problems. Those Christmas recipients who had problems setting it up have no excuses, you probably did something wrong. Its really easy to use and I recommend this 150%
You truly get what you pay for. iPod mini is worth every penny. If you're thinking of getting a portable music device, you should really get the iPod mini. Don't let the negative reviews scare you; I know they are potent, but false. The sense of you joy you get from it is priceless.
76 GREAT- with a few exceptions...
I got my iPod Mini on December 10th so I've had it for about 2 months. I have about 45 songs. I have a capacity of 1,000 songs and I only filled in 45!!! The good thing is that you can put your whole collection on it for FREE!!! Since you just insert the CD into iTunes, it doesn't cost you anything. Not even a penny. The iPod mini tends to get dirty if you touch the click-wheel too much, or if you touch the screen. Even if you have clean hands, you smudge hand oils on the screen. It's a good idea to get an iSkin because it protects it from dirt, dust and scratches! (I'm thinking of getting that soon).
You can also have several problems with iTunes and Apple's Support Service. If you write a problem they might answer it or not. When I had a problem with iTunes, I wrote to them and they told me what to do to fix my problem. But when I had a problem with the headphones last week, they CANCELED my request. It's kind of confusing if you think of all the problems you could have, but if you ignore that fact, it's a GREAT PRODUCT and I advise EVERYONE TO BUY ONE so everybody can have one (who wants one), so everyone can be HAPPY!!!
77 In the end it depends on YOU
I see the iPod Mini as the perfect MP3 player for ME, I am not sure about other people, but 4 GB is more then enough for my music library. I mean, how many songs do you want? And if you do fill up 4 GB chances are that half the songs are ones that you don't listen to or put on just for the sake of filling the iPod Mini. Besides, every time I look at a bigger iPod, I cannot get over the fact that it scratches way too easily, and a grey touchwheel does not go with a white casing. In the end, if you are the kind of person that packs there iPod with their favorite songs, not the history of every rock band, then this is the one for you. If you are a kind of person that does not mind scratches, and has a HUGE music library, and I mean HUGE, then go ahead and get that white and grey reflector. By the way, how can you people resist the cool alumininum and smooth casing with the discreet iPod logo on the back, with a white touch wheel and a blue cover?
78 BUYER BEWARE
dont buy this piece of garbage mine died after 2 uses i returned it to get the 20gb it is only 50 bucks more for 5 TIMES THE MEMORY!!!!! dont bother w/ the mini. it is also really ugly.
79 8-hour battery life?
Why does Apple insist on lying to its customers? Maybe an 8-hour battery life would be possible if one listened to the Ipod on very low volume, without touching the dial. But, isn't the joy of the Ipod that you're supposed to be able to skip over songs, mix up the order of your music... listen to What you want, When you want it? If you're like me, and using your Ipod as the Good Lord meant it to be used, you'll be lucky if your battery lasts 3 hours. Which means, almost every time I use my Ipod, the battery dies before I return home. So uncool. Especially since Apple promised otherwise.
80 amazing!
i just got this ipod for my birthday a week ago and already can't be without it. it's so easy to use. all you have to do is take it out of the box, charge it, download itunes and import cds to it. then just plug your ipod in your computer and it updates your music to your ipod so fast. and all you have to do is walk out and listen to it. it organizes your music in like 10 different ways! buy it right now!!
81 Awesome!
First of all I have Windows XP and install was a breeze....basically just put the CD in and it will prompt you what to do. itunes was simple and easy to use as well. Within 3 hours of purchasing the ipod I was able to download almost 200 songs. The longest part was downloading all my CD's on itunes. The sound quality is excellent and I love everything about it (although I wish the battery lasted longer- it's about 4 hours). I bought the pink and it is sooooo cute. For the guys out there- if you are thinking about getting this for your girlfriend/wife you will make her very happy! My boyfriend blew it and bought me a RIO which I quickly exchanged for the mini ipod. This thing is awesome!
82 iPOD IS AND iFRAUD!
I received an ipod for Christmas and still cannot get it to work with my Windows XP. I have spoken to the customer service support people over the phone 5 times and they cannot help me. When I went to my local Apple store at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, California the "Geniuses" at the Genius Bar were far from being a Genius. Especially when they said, "We had a lady come in here the other day and we just couldn't get the thing to work on her Windows laptop. Oh well." They refused to take give me my money back even though they admitted that my computer just might not be able to support the ipod.
You call that customer service? I have learned more on the Amazon reviews of ipods about how to get this thing to work than from the *#@%ing Geniuses at Apple. THIS IPOD IS AN IFRAUD!
83 Not bad after initial panic
The iPod took me more than 4 hours setup with my Windows XP. The formatting process took more than 2 hours and appeared to hang. The iPod screen and the manual warned me not to disconnect, and I wasn't sure whether I should terminate the process in the middle of formatting. I began to search google and Apple's support web site. It turned out this happened to other people as well. I was told to terminate the formatting screen because the software would get stuck and need a kick. The registration process then continues. But after I started iTune, iTune told me that the drive was not formatted and gave me a choice to restore to factory default, which I did. After some more work (it took so long that I couldn't remember what followed afterwards), I seemed to be able to connect to iTune. But the iTune software is not intuitive to Windows users. It took me a while to read the user manual online and figured out how to transfer the Playlists onto iPod. It would not take drag-and-drop from Windows Explorer like other MP3 players would. It also took some time to find out how to make the proper eject icon show up in order to disconnect the iPod properly. The whole iTune learning must have taken another hour.
The battery didn't seem to last too long. play for about 4 hours and I need to re-charge. Nevertheless, all is well after this. The iPod itself was tuitive and easy to navigate. I learned to use podcast to download my favorite radio show to iPod as well. It has been fun so far.
84 ipod mini review
I have had my ipod mini for 3 months & I have found it to be one of the best things I have ever bought.It is well designed easy to operate the instruction book is in plain English & the software easy to install even for a 50 year old former Ludite.My only small criticism is that no carrying case is included otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.So for all those people who spend endless hours travelling I would recommend you buy an ipod as it is much better to be able to listen to Bach or Charlie Parker than have to put up with the music provided by the airlines.I also find it good when reading or at the gym.In fact I am so impressed with my ipod that I am thinking of buying an Apple laptop computer just like Steve Jobs planned ( I hope I got his name right)!!!!!
85 DON'T BUY FROM BEST BUY--BUY FROM AMAZON
This is a nice little device, but I made the mistake of buying from it from Best Buy. It died a week later. Even though I was well within the 30 return period, they refused to exchange it or accept a return.
Having dealt with Amazon, know I would have had no trouble in the same circumstance.
So take my advice. Buy from Amazon.
86 DO NOT BUY THIS
I bought this ipod in February of 2004. It was great, but then about 2 or 3 months later, it stopped working. All I got was static. At first I thought it was the headphones, but after testing my $130 sony's on it, and they didn't work, I knew it was broken. I sent it back, and I'll give the store credit, I got a new one in a few days. But guess what, 9 months later, I'm having the same problem. Luckily, there are still 19 days in my warrenty, but I'm 100% positive that it will happen again. And when it does, the ipod won't be under warrenty. Then I'll have to buy a new one, because Apple charges $250 to fix broken ipods not under warrenty. I'll deffintly go for the 20 gig then. Bottom line, DO NOT BUY THIS. It works great at first, but it breaks easily. And by the way, it's not just an unlucky coincidence that both of them broke. I've talked to other people who had the same problem. DO NOT BUY THIS.
87 THEY SHOULDNT BE ALLOWED TO ROUND UP!
those apple bastards have rounded up the total storage capacity to 4 gigabytes, when really there are only 3.7 gigabytes. bastards. anyway... this ipod mini is a good little toy, but when you get down to it, there just isnt enough room on there... and besides, it really isnt that small. sure, if this had 20 gigs, i would take it over the current 20 gig ipods any day. its got the cool color and the small size, but what is that really worth. the current regular ipods are still small enough to hold in one hand and use just the thumb and are still quite light.
by the way, the battery life on the ipod mini is totally horrible. if i were to take a 4 hour long car drive, this thing would die, and without the addition of a carcharger, your pretty much screwed.
if the ipod mini costed about, say, 150 to 200 dollars, maybe itd be worth the money.. but at a whopping 250 dollars, it just isnt worth it, seeing as how you can get a 20 gig for just 50 bucks more.
my advice: go for the 20 (which i believe holds like 18.6 gigs or something). only get this 3.7 gig if you, well... uhh... dont get it, that should be enough
88 oh my god you must crazy
this is the graetest mp3 player in the world and it is very cheap for it too. the battery is a bit rubbish but it is all great otherwise if you are thinking about buying this ipod make sure you do.
jacob
thank you
89 My wife was super excited
I got the mini iPOD for my wife last christmas. My wife never got exited about a gift as much as she did for this one. She can not live without it now. In the car, in the house, and most important when she works out (Arm band is a must which I got too). I am an old iPOD user, and she used my iPOD many times where I thought she needed hers. Our music doesn't come up to more than 5 GB so far. so with this mini iPOD she was very happy and had all her music in it. My 15 GB iPOD was and still is an over kill. I don't think I will ever have this much music. Any how it works fine, I can hook both to my computer (win Xp) and with iTunes I can see both, and transfer music to them. You don't need to buy the base charger, but I just got it for looks ;)
I can't imagine anyone give this product anything less than a 5 star.
90 Apple iPod Mini
I really don't like this iPod. The normal version of the iPod is the best you can find. The iPod Mini as gotten very unpopular in 2005. Most people now are buying the 20GB or the 40GB iPods. If you want to buy this iPod the only reason is you want to jog and run with it. You shouldn't care about not holding much songs either because this is only 4GB which only holds 1,000 songs. The 20GB iPod which is only $50.00 more can hold five times more than that! I think the iPod mini colors are really stupid too. I don't know why people like to have colored MP3 Players. You're supposed to use MP3 Players to play music and maybe games but it doesn't matter what it looks like on the outside. All I care about is how much gigabytes it has and if it has a simple but very advanced design. The 4th Generation iPod now almost beats the mini's size. It's really small but the regular iPod is catching up to it. Soon no one is going to want this iPod and they will switch to the fifth generation iPod (which is supposed to have a 80 GB Storage Capacity!)
91 Great, but could be even better. 3.5 stars actually
I'll give it five stars for style, software, and versatility, but I've got some issues with the player.
First and foremost, batteries. I prefer disposable and longer lasting like the Rio Forge. When I'm walking and 3 miles from home, if the batteries go, I'm alone with just my thoughts for 3 miles, and my thoughts are usually about disposable batteries.
Second, the batteries last about 4 hours, not 8 or 10 as I've seen "advertised."
Third, the earphones are terrible compared to Sony MDR-EX51LP earbuds. Even the venerable Wall Street Journal rated the Sony as far superior to Apple's. Fourth, I love the wheel except for volume control. When walking, I wan't to be able to get to the volume without looking, and that's really difficult with the Mini in your pocket and the wheel flat against the I-Pod, so flat you can't tell front from back. Yes, you can lock it, but then when road noise gets bad, you still have to adjust the volume which means unlocking and feeling for the wheel. I think a small thumb wheel at the top would have been much better. Other than that - and the fact that it was a gift - I really like the thing.
I still use my Rio when it's raining, when I have to fly someplace, or when I'm otherwise not sure about battery life, but the Mini's playlists etc. make it a joy. (I still give my Rio with 1 gig 4 stars. It's lightweight and uses one AAA battery which lasts for 12 hours. It only holds 350 songs, but I keep thinking about my cassette days.)
I don't use the Ipod for notes etc. That's just too much trouble, but for something to carry around 1,283 songs - that's my "personal best" - wow, that's 100 albums!
92 3 Thumbs Up!
I heard some reviews saying that it was "style over quantity". Duh, do you think we can't see? I'm 13 trying to save for an ipod mini. I have to make charts to try and convince mom and dad that it's a good way to waste my money. It's obvious that the 20GB is a better deal. But it IS style over amount of songs. It's a marketing technique. Apple has figured out a way to get MOST of us to buy something for more than it's worth. But, honestly, I think though it is expensive; the ipod mini has a lot of good features that most others on the market don't. They have made it so we can have access to a slightly less expensive alternative to the 20GB without going to a different company.though an improvement that they could make is to have a voice recorder to compete a little with the Dell DJ. All in all, a great toy for those with the money!
Thanx
93 Something's fishy about the Dell
First of all, I am looking into buying an MP3 player, I automatically thought Ipod and I had my heart set on the mini. I am 13 and you see, 250 is a lot to save up at an occasional babysitting job. So, I looked for better deals. I saw the review about the Dell pocket DJ. It seemed like a good deal. But, comparing it to the ipod, you get 1500 more songs in 1GB more space, something's fishy. do they compress the songs or have lower sound quality? If you know, please tell me.
Thanx
94 Long Story, Bad Conclusion
If I could give it zero stars, I would. First off, I took a chance on it because I thought that it would be a great way to carry all my music in one place. In the end, I went through four ipods and I'm probably out at least fifty bucks once I finish selling it on ebay.
The first one had problems with the sound, so it was exchanged after less than three months. Then, it got replaced again for the same problem less than three months later. I thought my problems were gone, but the next one they gave me had a battery that would only run for half an hour, which eventually dwindled down to a mere fifteen minutes. They sent me a new one, and I decided that was it and to sell it.
The other thing that most people don't know is that their "protection plans" sounds like something the Mafia would offer. They are just a way to squeeze more money out of you and you'll need them because they don't build their products that well. I saw all kinds of people in the Genius Bar who had lots of problems with their stuff. After the last phone call I had with the customer service, they told me that after that call, the next one would be $50. The protection plan for the ipods runs at about $60. It's got to make you think, why have such expensive protection plans? Because Apple has made it so that they're stuff will break so you'll need them. I'm out of the Mac Cult.
Get an iriver, a sandisk, or a creative muvo. Just don't bother with this.
95 good investment
I got some Christmas money and had a little more lying around and had my heart set on the iPod mini, especially after one of my roommates got one for Christmas and a guy I know from church wouldn't stop bragging about his. Both of them said that the iPod was the "best MP3 player" out there. So I looked further into it and decided to get the blue mini. I got mine with the three-year warranty, and I have not had any huge problems with it. I downloaded the iTunes store to my Mom's computer (since I was home during Christmas break) and it automatically asked if I wanted to transfer all existing Windows Media Player files into the iTunes format, so that I could use them in iTunes. Media Player wouldn't let me download everything-iTunes informed me that Media Player had "copy protected" some of the files in Media Player, so my mom and I are still in the process of re-downloading her Japanese Anime music into iTunes. But for the most part, my mom is hooked on the iTunes store and the quality of iTunes player itself. And she doesn't have an iPod or iPod mini yet. It took me several days to get a good chunk of music into the iTunes player, because I could only work on it in two hour stretches, what with my getting ready for school and all. Once I finally figured out how to use my blue mini, I got hooked on it. I bought a few accessories, including a cassette tape like thing that allows me to play my iPod mini using my car's stereo. When I went back to school, I decided to download the iTunes player/store to my computer. It wiped my iPod clean while it was configuring it (again). My roommate also had the same problem. Not all the CD's I have access to are on my computer-some of them belong to my parents and brother, who are a good two hours away. So not everything I want is on my mini, but I still have around 200 or so songs. Other than that snag, I have one other problem-the battery. Every night I have to recharge the mini because in the course of six hours I have an empty battery. The battery dies faster than the one in my cell phone, and my cell phone is older than the mini. For the most part, I have liked the mini, though. The belt clip is nice, so is the sound quality, I liked the ear buds (they actually fit my ears), and the color is nice, although mine has gotten dinged a few times even though I take pretty good care of it. It works very nicely-and is a good replacement for my discman. The iPod mini is a pretty good MP3 player, and I like how I don't have to cart around CD's anymore, and it fits in my pocket. Oh, and I would also like to point out that you do not have to have a high-speed USB port for the iPod to work. I only have a regular, non-high speed one on my computer, and it works just fine, just a little slower.
96 Rockin' my face off
My wife gave this to me as a gift about 3 weeks ago and I love it. We had our Mini with us during a recent trip to Mexico, and it proved itself with wonderful sound quality, an admirable battery life, and great options. It was a great asset to have during a cumulative 10-12 hours of travel time.
The mini itself is easy to navigate and understand. She essentially told me how to work it, and the ease in which I have been able to use it has been wonderful. At first, I didn't think much of the 4GB amount of space, but it's been great for me as a person who never transports graphic or movie files.
I found the headphones they provided to be more than acceptable and the sound quality I've experienced has been great. At this point, I normally use my Mini while at a desk (while working) and (wonderfully) the mini never gets in the way of any of the work that I have to do. Even better, the mini isn't any sort of hindrance to my coworkers. If I were to ever work in the dark, I know that the beautiful blue hue of a lighted screen would work to light my way (used it on the plane).
My only discrepancies are minor - the Mini is seemingly easy to scratch. I looked at mine yesterday and noticed a few gashes in it whose origin I know not. Further, any sort of accessory for the device seems to be kind of pricey after you spend $250 on it.
The bottom line: This is a great toy to have, albeit expensive. Tons of options and features make for a wonderfully diverse product. Works as a well-received gift or a smart personal purchase. Don't be rough with it, travel a lot with it, and enjoy.
97 Ifs and Buts, mar this nice device.
Apple as always makes great looking devices, aesthetically. Be it Laptops to the MP3 players. The concept is great, it is compact, sounds great. The problem is what is inside it. I know we bitch a lot about Microsoft, but they have set the standard for software capabilities & usability, that you can't expect with others. No wonder Microsoft rules the markets.
Now just imagine, you load your iPod with 1000s of songs, from so many computers and Disks. You cant get them out of it if you lose your hard disk on the computer that has the library. iTunes that comes along with your iPod is quite primative, please use RealPlayer 10. iTunes seems to have a buncha installation and compatibility problems too. They have been in the market for decades, they are stable and the software is available for free download.Does the same thing with a lot more control and capabilities. RealPlayer is made for iPod. Cleaning up the disk on your iPod? Forget it. If you use the Windows Format utility, it is dead. You have to download a 30MB iPod restore software to wipe it clean. Thanks to RealPlayer 10, it will do it for you. Much more clean and easy.
That having said, sans all these, it is a cool, sleek, nice sounding device. Hope you enjoy!!
98 great for the gym
I didn't buy it at amazon, but i thought i'd leave a review any way. I mainly use this thing at the gym so battery life and storage space aren't issues to me. The only thing that stops me from giving this player 4 stars are the earphones. They suck and there always falling out. I use a pair of panasonic earphones that I bought for about five bucks and they work much better. The playback sounds good to me and it can go loud enough to cover up that annoying aerobics music my gym plays in the area I stretch in.
99 a very good product
I got an iPod mini (silver) for Christmas. It is a very good product. I highly recommend this product for anyone who loves music.
People are always saying..."why buy the iPod mini when you can buy the 20 GB for only $50 more?" Well....the reason that I bought the iPod mini is cause i wanted a smaller MP3 player than the regular size iPods. And...will you ever fill up the iPod mini? 1,000 songs is a lot of songs and even if you would...you cant even listen to them all without having to charge the iPod...so why would you want that many?
The only problem that i have had w/ this MP3 player....is that it froze once and i had no clue how to un-freeze it. And i had the backlight on and the battery almost went out. Then i finally found out how to un-freeze it.
Thats the only problem that i have had with it. Besides that....it hasnt giving me anymore problems yet.
~Nick
100 great device, if you don't need it often
The sound is wonderful. Setup is easy. Unfortunately, batterly life is really, really bad. If you charge it and start playing, you may get up to 2 hours of listening time. Unfortunately the battery runs down when you AREN'T listening, too. So, when I listened for an hour and then did not recharge overnight, by the next morning the battery was out. And it does not recharge quickly, it takes 3-4 hours. This has made me disinclined to use it or carry it around -- it basically only works if I have JUST recharged it.
