top of the line, but maybe more than you need
Written: Jan 13 '04
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Pros: elegant design, integration with iTunes, audio quality, doubles as superfast firewire drive
Cons: $$$$, funky remote, a little heavy, car stereo functionality not a given
The Bottom Line: pricey high-end MP3 player and portable Firewire drive, still a luxury item
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| dwynne's Full Review: Apple iPod 40 GB White MP3 Player |
Despite working in the technology industry, I put off buying an MP3 player for an awfully long time. And when I decided to finally get an iPod, it was actually because I'd fallen in love with the audio quality on my new fantastic iMac with the 19" screen (reviewed separately) and begun using it as my primary stereo.
Once I'd digitized all my CDs with iTunes, it made sense to get rid of them altogether. So I sold or gave away all my music and bought a top of the line iPod.
I did a lot of comparison shopping, which made little difference. There are no bargains on iPods. I decided right away that based on current pricing, it only paid to buy the (discontinued but still available from Amazon) 30 gig model or the 40 gig.
I think the new minis are great looking, but a terrible buy, considering an extra $50 will get you 15 gigabytes.
Since I needed to justify this expensive from a business point of view, I bought the biggest model, not because I have 20,000 CDs but because I can use it as a portable firewire drive, and it's fantastic for this purpose. It's incredibly fast to copy 15 gigabytes of video and be able to transport them anywhere.
I find the buttons a little sensitive. I can't understand why play and pause, the two most important features have to share a button. I'm constantly pausing accidentally. I wish there were assignable shortcuts for repeat and shuffle (maybe there are--the documentation is very basic).
Overall, I'm really enjoying this but still see it ultimately as a luxury. I don't feel that way about my iMac--I don't know how I looked at such a terrible monitor before I got my flat panel.
Biggest criticism: I find the remote design really weird, as if Apple never tested it on anyone. Aren't most people right handed? I have to clip it across my body in order to get the buttons to be in the expected locations; it seems to be backward, although it's a great (and necessary) feature.
I also had incorrectly assumed I'd be able to use this with my car's CD player. Unfortunately adapters ($40 and you may need two different items) work with cassette players. I don't have an input jack. I may need to go back to burning CDs. I'm not spending another $100 on this toy.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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Epinions.com ID:
dwynne
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 7 members
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