kosherdave's Full Review: Apple iPod shuffle 1st Generation (512 MB) MP3 Pla...
I started out by telling people how dumb an idea I thought (initially) the shuffle was. I was not into the idea of a lack of display, and so little memory but now...
I have been using a 4GB mini for about a year now, which eventually I decided was not enough memory, but did not want to go out and buy another iPod since they are not cheap. So I continued to use mine for every day listening, going to the gym, and my frequent running (I run almost every day 5-8 miles and in the teens on the weekend long runs). It is because of the running that I decided to buy a shuffle.
In part, because of the small size, a shuffle seemed to be more practical than the (albeit small already) mini, but it was more because of the flash memory, and no hard drive, that I switched to the shuffle for exercising.
The standard iPods (mini and up) will eventually break if you use them for running. The constant jarring up and down and you run bounces around the moving pieces (aka hard drive) and will eventually cause it to skip on occasion, and in the long run, skip all the time. This is not covered in Apple's warranty.
The Shuffle is ideal for runners because it lacks moving parts. You can run all around with it, and damage nothing (except for your knees).
I have also, surprisingly, found that the lack of memory is not a big issue for this mp3 player (for what I use if for). I opted for the lesser of the two (the 512 vs the 1 gb) and decided that a few hours of music was more than what I would need for my normal, or even long runs.
The buttons are SIMPLE and really easy to use on the go. It is mindless to adjust the sound, or advance songs, but beware, there is not screen on this thing to tell you the name of the song or artist.
And it does have a "hold" or "lock" function, if you hold the play button down for a few seconds, it will lock the controls so you do not accidentally stop it in mid run (as I did at a race the first time I used it). I found this by accident, as I was too lazy to read the manual.
SOME DETAILS:
It comes with the standard Apple ear buds. I bought some buds that wrap around your ears since I use it to run, and they stay in better.
It is small and can fit anywhere, but keep it in a closed pocket, pouch or armband, it is light and easy to lose.
It comes with a lanyard to wear around your neck, but if you run with that, it bounces everywhere. I recommend getting the (expensive) armband ($26 at the Apple store or online, right now Best Buy does not seem to carry it, or at least the one near me does not)
The dial allows for simple functionality: play, skip, pause, shuffle, repeat and hold. A slide control on the back switches it on/off or shuffle/play straight through. That's kinda cool. Additionally, there is a battery indicator light on the back, also quite handy.
By the way, the battery seems to charge SUPER fast and lasts a long long time!! I've not drained it yet, and I charge it rarely.
The Shuffle comes with the USB cap, lanyard, earbuds, iTunes software, and manual. You charge it right from the USB port on your computer, it's quite easy. This is how you update songs too, so plug it in, download and charge, all at once.
Overall, I'd say use this thing for the gym or for outdoor exercise. If you want one as a primary, every-day mp3 player, get a mini or bigger. This has no read-out screen and holds too little music. If you can’t afford any of the other versions, then the Shuffle is fine, but get the more expensive of the two, so you have some extra space.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99 Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
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