Still the best, and cheaper. (Apple iPod mini 4 GB)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	Apple iPod mini 4 GB
Date:	10/05/08 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: As good as new generation, but cheaper.

Disadvantages: Getting harder to source now.

I am reviewing the 2nd generation iPod (see picture), even though the 3rd generation are out now. Why?, because I like this shape and siz better than the new one, and you can still buy these on ebay, Amazon etc, at a cheaper price than the new, smaller ones.

I bought mine from the Apple store (Meadowhall) just one week before the new ones were released. I had been promising myself a new ipod to ugrade my (2 year old) 2GB black, and I made good on my promise, £129, plus another £15 for a top quality clear protective case. You can get a refurbished model with guarantee today from apple store for £70, complete bragain in my opinion.

In the very cool little ipod pack one gets an ipod, a USB connector, earphones, carrying strap, adapters for ipod stands, an instruction booklet and some 'apple' stickers.

Dimensions:
90mm long (3 and a half inches)
40mm wide (1 and a half inches)
7mm deep (quarter of an inch)
The weight is very light, less than an ounce and a half, or about 40 grams.

As with previous generation nanos' easy as anything to use, a central 'wheel' controls all the functions, it took my wife a total of three minutes, without reading the manual (she never does) to work out how to use it, my youngest son (13) took less than a minute.

This 2nd generation Ipod has a number of changes/improvements on the 1st Gen;

Firstly, I love the colour. The colour I chose is such a funky green, I just had to get a clear, protective case to display it well.

The charging seems remarkably quick compared to my old ipod, less than 30 minutes for a full charge that lasts 24 hours (less if you use the functions like back light too much).

The earphones are ceratinly nicer and more ergonomic that the last generation.

Set up is simplicity itself, as I have a previous ipod registered, I simply put in the USB cable, name the ipod (it's 'Paul's number 2') and then away we go.

One is able to synch all the addresses in outlook Express to the ipod, and/or photo's, I don't bother as it takes up too much space. Likewise, when downloading tracks, I never opt to have the artwork displayed as it takes up memory.

The space that is available on the 4GB, like all other Ipods, is slightly below 4GB (3.68GB), but is still easily enough for 900 to 1,000 songs.

I seriously thought about an 8GB version, but for an extra tenner would be able to get the normal ipod (not nano) at 30GB, so decided that 4gb would be enough, when will I need more than a 1,000 songs on me?

Sound quality, is, as before, excellent, seems to go a little louder than the previous generation too. Very crisp and clear, no complaints at all on that front, great played through speakers too (read my review on travel speakers).

Compatibility & Connectivity:
As before the ipod nano fits (via a connector, supplied) to a PC or Mac, by the bottom (universal) connector, to a range of ipod products, speakers, in car systems etc.

Ipod can really only download tunes from Itunes which can be an issue when there are cheaper (and free) sites out there, but I have always been happy with the range of music on itunes, and the support when needed (but that is another review). One can easily transfer tunes from existing CDs to the ipod via itunes on the PC/Mac, so no real problem there, in fact we are fast becoming a CD free house.

Other functions (in order displayed):
In Settings, one can set the time, time zone, 24 hour clock etc, Backlight to 5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds, the light is definitely brighter than before.

I always turn the wheel 'clicker' off as it is annoying, other folks like it.

in photo's, obviously, one can view photo's
In Playlists, one can set up different playlists based on the tunes in your library, easily done.

There are also a number of graphic equaliser settings, such as jazz or classical, to me they do not make that much difference, my default setting is 'jazz'.

In extras one has a clock, some basic ipod games, which I don't use so wont go into, they are entitled, 'brick, parachute' and music quiz (you can download more if wanted from itunes), contacts, (self explanatory), notes, stopwatch and screen lock

My youngest son is getting my old ipod, which has lasted really well, and my wife has now also bought an ipod nano 4GB, red, named Captain Scarlet. So if this ipod is as durable as my last one I have no problems, and I have used it pretty much every day for the last two years, at home, on wlaks, in the car, and it has been dropped many, many times.

Only downside at all, and I had to try really hard to find one is that the edges are a little less rounded than the previous generation, not exactly sharp, but not as smooth, still the protective case has dealt with that. I would always recommend a protective case as it is a shame to spend a lot of money on a lovely bit of kit, only to get it scratched.

Overall I am very, very happy with my new ipod nano, well done Apple. My recommendation is if you can still get one of these, do, they are as good as the new gen, and in my opinion a better shape, in fact I am going to get a couple more and 'keep' them for the future.

Very updated review of one posted by me (same member name) on Ciao.

Summary: iPod green, 2nd generation.

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