iPod is superb MP3 player
Written: Sep 29 '02
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Pros: Large capacity, small size/weight, fast transfers, Firewire recharge, PDA
Cons: Car hookup, inconvenient cases, chrome shows fingerprints, duplicates files in library
The Bottom Line: Even though you think it's pricey, it will replace so many other devices that it is worth it.
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| Jaharmi's Full Review: Apple iPod 1st Generation 10 GB (MAC) MP3 Player |
I got my iPod right before Apple came out with a new model, so I have the older-style mechanical control dial. My review will be colored by that fact.
Still, I love this device. It is probably one of the best pieces of consumer electronics I have ever purchased. It certainly gives me reason to convert all of my CDs to MP3s.
While it may seem pricey (and is expensive at first) it can replace a lot of other costly devices. I used to have an older computer hooked up to my stereo -- not anymore (a few hundred dollars there). I don't use my 200-disc Sony CD changer ($400) nearly as much anymore.
And I find myself wanting to use the iPod everywhere -- I wish I had more sets of speakers around my home, to just plug into.
I do wish that they would make a cordless remote, because it doesn't totally replace my CD changer in that respect.
With Apple's iSync software under Mac OS X, you can also use the iPod more easily as a read-only PDA. The iPod can display calendar and contact information from your desktop computer. It also has a built-in clock, after the 1.2 firmware update.
Size and weight
The iPod is almost the perfect size. It fits nicely in my hand. The control wheel and buttons are positioned in the right spot so that my thumb can easily control the whole unit. It couldn't get much more convenient without being form-fit to my hand.
The device is very light. I have no complaints about the weight.
While I would like a device that is smaller and lighter -- don't we all? -- I can't imagine that it would be as useful as the iPod is. Anything smaller would probably be harder to hold comfortably in my hand.
Capacity and transfers
My iPod has a 10 GB hard disk inside, with 32 MB of RAM for a cache. This is sufficient to hold the tracks that I'm most interested in. I typically have MP3s with a 128-192 kbps data rate, and I have about 1,000 tracks on my iPod. The drive is only half full at this point. (The default for Apple's iTunes 3 is to rip MP3s at 160 kbps with no VBR.)
The Firewire interface makes for fast transfers. When I copy MP3s to the drive -- I don't use the synchronization feature, because my MP3 library is too large to fit in 10 GB -- there is virtually no waiting.
The iPod also charges over Firewire. When connected to a computer, it charges from power supplied on the Firewire bus. The AC adapter accepts the 6-pin Firewire cable from the iPod; there is no separate power port on the iPod itself. As I understand it, the AC adapter also has interchangeable end plates, to allow for a longer plug-in power cable to the wall outlet, or international power convertors. This is just like Apple's new iBook and PowerBook G4 adapter -- in fact, I think it uses the same converters. Overall, I feel that recharging the iPod over Firewire is one of the slickest parts of the package.
Audio playback
Audio quality is great; I have no complaints when using it with headphones or my Sony receiver.
I use a set of Sony sports headphones that I got at Best Buy; they work well, but I get the impression that they are not as good as the iPod's included earbuds. However, the earbuds were a little too large for my ears, and I find earbuds inconvenient.
With the new 1.2 firmware, I experience a noticeable slowdown whenever I select a playlist and play a track. I believe this is part of the new Sound Check feature -- the iPod scans the tracks and adjusts volume on a song-by-song basis. (If Song Check was enabled in iTunes, I assume the iPod just re-uses the volume settings for tracks iTunes scanned.)
The worst part of having mobile music is the inconvenience of hooking the iPod to my car stereo. I have tried an RCA cassette adapter and an iRock FM transmitter. Neither solution has been working for me. I would rather have a front-panel input to let me pipe my iPod into the car stereo -- since I don't have one, and most cars don't, I blame this more on the car audio industry than the iPod. It certainly affects my satisfactionw with the iPod, however.
Integration with the desktop
I like keeping my music organized. The combination of the iPod and iTunes 3 on Mac OS X is great. I can keep track of personalized information about my music (such as ratings) and build Smart Playlists (based on criteria in the MP3 ID3 tags) that include matching tracks on the fly. Smart Playlists are a great feature and have magnified the utility of my iPod, because they make music management much easier and far less manual.
I love that the iPod charges while hooked to my computer. It's one less thing to remember to do, and it doesn't require a cradle of any sort. Since my Firewire ports are on the back of my computer, I keep an extra Firewire cable plugged into my computer and route it to the front, so I can easily connect the iPod.
Use and durability
I have two quibbles about durability.
The first is that the chrome back of the iPod shows fingerprints. Apple has a penchant for designing great devices, but they have also made the parts you're most likely to touch fingerprint-prone. (The Power Mac G4 case has clear handles, which show fingerprints, too.) I solved this problem by buying a case right away; I never touch the chrome back now. I chose the case from XtremeMac.com, and I'm pretty happy with it. It definitely adds to the perceived size of the iPod.
The second issue is that my control dial seems to move on its own, changing the volume for the current track, when I'm jogging with the iPod. I have adapted to this by using the control lock on the top of the iPod; it prevents any of the front-panel controls from working while the toggle is enabled.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 440
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Epinions.com ID:
Jaharmi
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Member: Jeremy Reichman
Location: Rochester, NY, USA
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 3 members
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