Lean, mean music machine..! (Apple iPod 10 GB)

Member Name: beedubblyer

Product:	Apple iPod 10 GB
Date:	12/09/03 (1482 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: ALL THE MUSIC...!!!, IN A DEEPLY SEXY PACKAGE...!!!, WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT...???

Disadvantages: Okay, so the 15Gb is better storage-wise, pence-per-byte, but that's all.

If you've got as far as this review, you can't have failed to notice the phenomenal hype surrounding Apple Computers' latest must-have gizmo, the iPod.

Okay, there was a previous version of the iPod, which had slightly bulkier casing and a less user-friendly layout of its buttons. If you're familiar with that model, the new generation of 'Pods has sleeker, more refined styling, a more advanced operating system, and the beginnings of an excellent PDA/organizing system.

Much of the attraction of this new model is down to the improved design. Simply put, this is the sexiest portable music hard drive you're ever likely to hold - bar, in all probability, Apple's 4th or 6th generation iPod/PDA/phone-come-scooter, or whatever they've got up their sleeves.

Though there's a PC-compatible model on the way, this machine looks best (and dammit that counts! we're talking gizmos here!) tied up to a Mac-centric suite. (Not sure that it'll drive up sales of iBooks or iMacs on its own, but you never know.) Connecting to your Mac via a specialized Firewire cable (slimmer at the iPod end), the 'Pod tranfers audio files at phenomenal speeds. AIFFs go by in seconds, MP3 and AAC formats in less than the blink of an eye.

Now the 10Gb model is the lowest capacity of the 3 currently available, but even for a serious music lover such as myself, the ability to carry around 2,500 rock songs, dance anthems, classical movements and jazz noodlings, and all in the palm of your hand, is frankly awesome! We're talking days' and days' worth of music. It's unsurprisingly easy, therefore, to go weeks without remembering all the new tracks you've uploaded to your iPod.

It offers far more powerful listening tools than your CD deck's simple shuffle function. Countless playlists can be programmed on your computer and transferred to the 'Pod, catering for every listening experience - a Mo
rning playlist, a Running playlist, a Best Songs Ever Playlist...
The user can browse songs by Artist, Album, Genre - a particularly satisying method is to pitch up at some random point in the entire Songs list, and then play through in order or randomly, juxtaposing bands and composers and styles and subgenres in ways you would never have imagined. It's also a great way to rediscover the sheer depth of your Library.

One drawback which isn't entirely clear from the marketing is that transferring songs to your iPod is meant to be a one-way process. Obviously, this stops the unscrupulous user from stuffing an iPod to the gills, and forwarding it to other users for them to download. On the other hand, when you've just deleted the ENTIRE LIBRARY from your G4 laptop to make way fo some digital video editing space, it can be upsetting, to say the least...
However, help is at hand. Though the files are not readily accessible from iTunes, numerous utilities are now available on the web that can find the hidden mp3 files on your iPod's hard drive, and make them available for transfer BACK to your Mac. The fact that only a certain number of Macs can be registered to an iPod (3, i believe) means that we won't be seeing iPods lent out left right and centre, with the entire nation sharing one original copy of each album.

Being a sensitive piece of equipment, the iPod is sensitive to high temperatures - during the recent heatwave, my 'Pod crashed a couple of times when kept in the pocket of my jeans. Tip: the aluminium back of the 'Pod is there to conduct the heat out, so make sure the back isn't pressed against your body in the warmer months.

Battery life is acceptable, though not lengthy. If your computer is at home or work, leave the charger in the other location to power up the 'Pod - the Firewire connection from your computer will also charge the 'Pod when you're transferring music.

This
generation of iPods also comes equipped with basic PDA software. Obviously there is no input while using the iPod, but if you do keep your contacts & calendar info on your computer, it can be synched easily (especially using Mac's sublime OS X operating system). Very handy, I've found, for checking addresses, times of meetings, and especially birthdays. Plus there are some basic games, but if you're that bored, you should have loaded up more interesting music, or a talking book or something.

The 10Gb lacks the extras of the 15Gb or 30Gb models, but given that we're talking about a stand and a black leather carrying case, it's no biggie. However - and this is the kicker - if you're shelling out £250 for the 10Gb, why not go the extra £50 and get half as much storage again? (This wasn't a question for your reviewer, as his was a leaving present from his last job... hey! i was there a long time, okay!)

As it is, it is beyond my power to find any faults with this machine. As near to perfect as anything I've reviewed, except maybe Patrick Vieira.

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