Amazing Design --but Apple, Trust Us
Written: Feb 16 '03
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Pros: Elegant design, great capacity, great sound, great battery life.
Cons: MusicMatch Software(for Windows)weak for this function, not enough documentation.
The Bottom Line: An elegant machine. If Apple's computers are of this same quality I may just turn into a "switch" guy.
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| theauthorguy's Full Review: Apple iPod 2nd Generation 10 GB (PC) MP3 Player |
Apple has had the reputation for so long of making products that are user friendly, that they don't give you the tools to actually use the thing.
First, I love the IPOD. It's great. It sounds good. I've bought all the cool accessories for it. I take it everywhere. But! The first one I got locked up. Just died. Nothing. Nada. And there was nothing in the documentation or on the web site to tell you what to do. So we sent it back. (Apple, trust us. Telling us how to work your machines won't alienate your customers.)
Turned out that there's a way to reset the IPOD when this happens. A simple proceedure of just holding two buttons down, but Apple doesn't tell you this. My girlfriend bought me a third party book that explained all the quirks of the IPOD. Now, it rocks. (Apple, we are not all sprout-eating loonies, we CAN work the machines if you tell us how.)
For windows users, you'll be a lot happier if you use XPLAY to manage your IPOD rather than the MusicMatch software that comes with it. While Musicmatch is one of the best ripper/recorder/coverter applications I've ever used, it's cumbersome to use for selecting and organizing files on the IPOD. I'd recommend XPlay, which just works through Windows Explorer (My Computer). I downloaded the free trial and ended up buying the software for $25. It works great and it's a lot easier to use. You can keep the Musicmatch to rip songs from your CDS (or even from your tapes with a patch cord.)
The earbuds sound better than any I've ever used, but they don't fit in my ears, so I had to go with a pair of Koss in ear phones that I already had. If the buds fit, however, you should be pleased with the sound.
I wish Apple would put a fast forward in the controls, but overall, the IPOD interface is smooth, elegant, and great to use. With the right case, it's light enough to jog or workout with. Check out Applelinks web site for accessories. Some cases allow you to mount the IPOD in your car, which adds a great dimension to travel. (The case it comes with is okay, but the controls are not accessable from it.)
The IPOD is expensive as MP3 Players go, but I'd had some bad luck with less expensive solid state players, so I thought it was worth it to have my girlfriend buy it for me :) I mean, oh heck, yes, it was a present. I would have bought if she hadn't. Shut up, she got diamond earrings.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399
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Epinions.com ID:
theauthorguy
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
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