jetbluefan1's Full Review: Apple iPod mini 1st Generation Silver (4 GB) MP3 P...
Dogs are to cats as MP3 players are to CD players. MP3 players are where the future is headed. After all, who doesn't want a compact, light-weight machine that has the ability to play thousands of songs depending on the model? Besides, you certainly look trendier having an MP3 player clipped to your pants rather than a big, bulky CD player...
Apple, the well-known producer of the Mac computer, is also the maker of the iPod family of products. There are several different iPods available, including a new one that can store 240 songs for $99 which just went on the shelves today, I believe. I was lucky enough to receive an iPod Mini Silver with my name printed on it for Christmas, as it was what I have been wanting for awhile but never would go out and buy for myself. I also didn't want an MP3 player from some other company -- I wanted the iPod because of all the praise it had gotten.
The iPod Mini, according to several sites, is $199 today. When first introduced, the player sold at $249. However, that's the digit that has to be scooped out today for the Mini's older brother - the Apple iPod (regular). I don't know the price of having a name printed on it, however, it's a nice way to personalize your iPod.
This MP3 player comes with a charging cord, a USB cord to transfer songs from a computer to the pod, earphones, earphone covers, and a clip to slide on the back. I have found this clip very handy for use when running/working out. It always grabs onto my pants with quite a grip and is very strong.
The Apple iPod Mini is a sturdy piece of equipment. I haven't dropped mine (yet), but it seems to be very well put together and well made. The same goes for the charging and USB cords. However, the touch-pad is very sensitive and the screen scratches easily. Also, the earphones are very flimsy and get on my nerves! They slip out of my ears too easily and the fact that the covers easily come off makes me go insane sometimes. It's also very hard to get these covers back on the piece.
The sound quality isn't anything to brag about, but it isn' half bad either. It's similar to a regular headphones' sound quality. There is no "whining" sound in the background as I have noticed with some headphones, but there is nothing that allows me to hear the artist breathe, per se. Also, as far as canceling out outside noises, it really depends how the earpieces are positioned. Sometimes I have to apply pressure on the pieces so that all other noises are blocked out. However, there are times where I want to hear what is going on around me, and therefore I lightly place the earpieces in my ear.
The product weighs an unbelievable 3.6 ounces and is 3.6" by 2" according to my measurements. This makes it easy to use when working out. As stated previously, I can clip it on, or I can simply slip it in my pocket. Women will find it easy just to drop in their purses. I put mine in my briefcase while I'm at work, then I use it to listen to music on my commute back home.
Unlike the regular iPod, the iPod mini has a circular pad that allows you to control the functions of it. On the bottom, there's a Play/Pause button; on the left and right there are the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons, respectively; and on the top there's the Menu button. To adjust the volume or to scroll through the playlists, you simply move your finger around the circle clockwise to bring the volume up/scroll down, or counter clockwise to bring the volume down/scroll up. To select a song or playlist, or to turn on the iPod, simply press the button in the middle of the circular pad. There is also a Hold button that is not connected to the pad.
The screen is very sharp and is a great source of information. Posted on the screen is the amount of battery life left, the volume of the song, the title of the song, the artist, the time left in the song, and the track number out of the total numbers of songs available in the playlist. It's certainly much more detailed than a CD player's screen.
The iPod mini comes with iTunes. iTunes is one of the few ways to get songs on the iPod. You can buy songs for $.99 a pop, or CD's can be uploaded onto iTunes, and from there the songs can be transferred onto the iPod. One cannot take songs from music download programs such as LimeWire and then put them directly on the MP3 player. Instead, those songs would have to be put on a CD first, and then put on an iTunes playlist. Playlists are also transfered from iTunes onto the Pod. Currently, I have two playlists: "Anthony's Playlist" and "Work-Out Plan." Approximately 1,000 songs can be downloaded onto the iPod Mini regardless of color.
The battery life is excellent with the iPod. It comes with a rechargeable battery -- bye bye Duracel. To recharge the battery, simply take the charging cord and plug it into both the outlet and the iPod. It usually takes a bit over an hour to completely charge the machine. However, just yesterday I had it on for ten minutes after the battery completely died and I was able to get a good 45 minutes out of it. When fully charged, the Pod can run for a good four hours. However, when on standby, it hardly uses any juice.
As noted in other reviews, I find it difficult to completely turn the iPod Mini off. I usually just press the Play/Pause button until the screen goes blank, assuming that the player is off. However, about an hour later when I go back to turn it on by pressing the same button, the song that was Ieft off at starts to play within a second! On the contrary, if it's "off" for 24 hours, I have to press the middle button to now turn it "on." I'm very confused about this but it's no big deal.
Besides just listening to song, the iPod comes with some special features. If a lot of songs are on the machine, you can select a feature which allows you to browse by: artist, album, song, genre, or composer. The settings bar also allows you to change the language on the screen, the date and time, and it also allows you to set shuffle or repeat songs. An alarm clock and the ability to have the iPod Mini play up to a certain time are also available. There is also a Games section which includes a music quiz. This quiz is quite fun actually. A clip of a song on one of the playlists is played, and then you must select which song it is. There is also Solitaire and two other games.
When it comes down to what a consumer wants, the Apple iPod Mini impresses. While being expensive, one gets his or her money's worth. The Apple iPod Mini Silver is durable and is technologically advanced. I love how it's easy to learn and use the circular touch-pad which is also the control center of the machine. However, beware that there is nothing special about the sound quality and that the earpieces are annoying. Therefore, I'd recommend using your own pair of headphones with the Apple iPod Mini Silver.
Apple iPod Mini Silver - The New Definition of "Chic"
So go ahead. Click one of the yellow "Buy It" buttons at the bottom of the screen and purchase the Apple iPod Mini Silver!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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