iPOD 40Gb 4th Generation September 2004 Review
Written: Aug 30 '04
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Pros: Sexy, Trendy, Fun, Fun, Fun. Battery life is good. Ease of menu and CLICK WHEEL.
Cons: Lousy software, dismal protection against errors, expensive, no manuals and too habitual.
The Bottom Line: I love it! I hate it!
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| benicia's Full Review: Apple iPod 40 GB White MP3 Player |
I've waited nearly a month now before writing my opinion or review of Apple's newest iPOD; the 4th generation 40GB iPOD. After having loaded and reloaded my library some 5-7 times now, I think I can fairly evaluate the performance level I have achieved from its use to date.
I love it! I hate it! Having just vented my opinion of it, I feel much better!
So many positives. CLICK WHEEL design is a breeze to use and navigate. The menu is excellent and very user-friendly. The better battery life (12 hours per charge) and the larger capacity all seem very satisfying. Its weight and size are very good when one considers that you can load some 10,000 songs.
Yet I have a few cons as well (sorry Apple fans). I really dislike Apple's lack of protection when performing any upgrades (firmware upgrades or additional songs/album downloads/uploads). This dismal system will erase everything you have accomplished and do so without asking you 'ARE YOU SURE' as so many other software and hardware suppliers almost always do. Even when one accomplishes a firmware update and the menu asks the user if he/she wishes just the update or a complete reset and erase, the iPOD will totally erase everything you have ever loaded onto it. That's hours of work having to reload it again!
Where's the manual? Okay, where is a fair online manual then? I had to purchase what is called 'THE MISSING MANUAL' iPOD and iTunes (sold in most bookstores). It warns of what I am saying in its erratic erase behavior but offers 'no fix' of the frustration. There is a massive difference between Apple and Microsoft and it feels to me like Apple is years behind Microsoft.
The iPOD is MADE IN CHINA. For $399 plus all the accessories required for a MP3 player, I would have hoped for more in overall internal quality. My first iPOD had to be returned because of hard disk failure and the Apple rep at the Apple Store told me that thousands were delivered defective. Thus, for the extra $59.00 Apple wants from you, you can add the Apple PROTECTION PLAN and it would be well worth your investment adding an extra year of service and support. This is sold only at Apple stores and not authorized resellers.
Is it 'iTunes' (iTunes is Apple's downloading site for your personal music loaded and online purchases as well) that really is the problem? It's a very sub-standard website and I question its inferior ability and weakness.
One thing I will say is how 'TRENDY' the iPOD is. Check out the packaging (better quality than the iPOD itself). The billboards... The ads in magazines and newspapers. That sleek all white body with the stainless steel and fingerprinting backside... Just having one will cause others to walk up and ask you about it. Your bound to meet more people because of the iPOD than you would walking your dog on the beach (second best method for meetings).
There are a ton of accessories. Trendy? You bet! Like, how about your BMW already having a connection point inside of its glovebox for your iPOD? It does if you have a 2002, 2003 or 2004 BMW. If not, ask your dealership about one or purchase all the cute little toys that are offered from car stereo connections to home theatre connections and wristbands, cases and headphones. All said, you're getting well beyond $500 to $700 overall in investment.
I still like it and my apology for the negatives. I'm keeping it because it really is so much fun and has returned music back into my life almost on a daily basis. That said, music is indeed one of lifes greatest treasures.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399.00
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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Epinions.com ID:
benicia
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 66
Trusted by: 3 members
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