Apple iPod classic (30 GB) MP3 Player

Note: This epinion is for the WINDOWS version of the 30GB ipod. It is VERY similar to my 15GB epinion (I have owned both). All areas that differ are marked in bold. I will be deleting my old 15GB epinion shortly.

I am an owner of the original Ipod 20GB. I have been through quite a few MP3 players in my day, and to date nothing matched the overall package that the 20GB ipod provided (I have another epinion on that model, check my other reviews).

When I first saw the website for the new ipod, I didn't really see where all the huge improvements were. And for sure, this ipod is far more evolutionary than it is revolutionary. It wasn't until I visited an apple store that I saw just how much smaller this unit was. While the 20GB original ipod wasn't exactly gargantuan, I wouldn't have called it Shirt Pocket Friendly(TM).

Included with the ipod is a wired remote, docking cradle, cable (proprietary to firewire, more on this later), earbuds (which I don't use, I have a great pair of sony's that I love), protective bag, protective case/belt clip and of course, software.

One step forward, One step back: Size

With regards to size, the original ipod was slightly larger than a deck of cards. The new ipod is slightly *smaller* and slightly thicker than a deck of cards. While this may not seem like a tangible benefit, it certainly becomes one when it's sitting in your front pants pocket. It's very much noticably smaller and lighter. A very nice step forward, however, there's a price to pay for the shrinkage.

My first actual "problem" with its size is navigating through its menus. For me, the 20GB Ipod's layout was very simplistc and incredibly easy to control. On these new Ipods, they moved the 4 navigation buttons to a top row of buttons on the player. I honestly don't like this. I had a MUCH easier time with the buttons JUST the way they were. While the new buttons are backlit, I would still prefer they be in the old Ipod location. Also as a result of the unit's smaller size, the jog wheel is smaller and more difficult to use. Also, the center button is harder to press as it's no longer mechanical. In fact ALL the "mechanical" buttons from the original ipod have been changed to the new touch-sensitive style similar to how the jog wheel behaves. It makes me want to ask: "Were there really a lot of problems with those buttons?"

The "hold" button is in the same place, but it's more rigid and harder to switch. This is a welcome change for me, since my hold button always switched back while it was swirling around in my pocket. This doesn't happen anymore.

The headphone jack/wired remote jack sits on top of the unit in the same place it did before, however the new ipods use a different remote connector. What's missing on the top of the unit is the good old 6-pin Firewire port. I can see that Apple had a dilemma here with the new ipod. You see, this version of the ipod isn't large enough to support a full 6 pin firewire input. See, there's 2 types of firewire ports: 4 pin and 6 pin.

4 pin ports are VERY tiny and could have been used on the new Ipod easily. However, a 4 pin firewire cable lacks 2 important pins to the ipod: Power (positive/negative). In order to charge your ipod, you need those last 2 pins to charge it, so putting a 4 pin cable was a no-go. So instead, they made a proprietary port at the bottom of the ipod that requires a proprietary ipod-to-firewire cable. I have mixed feelings about this. No longer can I just use any old firewire cable to charge my ipod using the supplied firewire-to-120v-outlet adapter. I have to buy another cable, and it costs $35. They also have a dual "Firewire/USB 2.0" cable, however you cannot charge the ipod via USB2.

The upside to this cable is the included cradle. The cradle also uses the supplied cable, and also supports a line-level output at the base. This line-level output uses a fixed voltage (meaning turning up the volume doesn't increase or decrease the voltage level to it). This makes the base perfect for integrating into a stereo system at home. You WILL need to head out to Ridiculous Shack and buy a 1/8th" Stereo to L/R RCA Stereo cable though, but those are easy to find.

A SLIGHT-to-BIG step back: Battery life

I've been doing a lot of listening on this new ipod. It keeps me sane at work while I work on tons of documentation for my technical projects. The original ipod was rated at around 10 hours of operation on a single charge. The new Ipod is rated at around 8. So far, both those numbers seem accurate for both models - the old 20GB and the new 15GB. However, with the 30GB model it's a different story. While the packaging says it's rated for roughly the same amount of time, in reality it's nearly half that. While this may have not been a HUGE deal on the original ipod, it's a bit of a burden on the new ipod, since again - you can't just use any old 6 pin firewire cable to charge it with the supplied charger. If you want to charge your ipod in two locations, you MUST purchase a second proprietary cable.

Big step forward: Display Quality

The display of my 20 gig ipod left much to be desired. It was very washed out, and there was no "perfect" contrast level you could tune in. The backlight often hurt more than it helped in questionable lighting areas. They have fixed this little issue in the new Ipods for sure. The display is VERY clean and accurate in this model, readable in virtually all conditions. They definitely score a point here.

NOTE: The 30GB ipod display uses a white backlight scheme, as opposed to the 15GB ipod that uses a more bluish display. I prefer the 15GB Ipod's display color, as it's much more pleasing to the eye.

The Song Remains the Same: Build quality, Software and the EQ

One of my biggest gripes with the original ipod was the chrome and acrylic build. While it certainly looked pleasing, it was incredibly easy to scratch; Particularly the chrome areas. While there were ways around this with products like the "iSkin", I never bothered and now I wish I would have. The new iSkins are available for the new format iPods and I highly recommend one. They attract dust and dirt like there's no tomorrow, but it will keep your ipod scratch free. In the meantime, you can protect your ipod one of two ways: with the included belt holster or the included tyvek drawstring bag. I personally prefer the Tyvek bag, since I easily broke the belt clip on my original ipod and I didn't want to do the same to this one. Now, I just stick it in the tyvek bag and stick it in my pocket. Works great, and it adds no real bulk.

The new ipod includes the same Windows Musicmatch software that the original used. However, I never recommend using it. I always recommend Ephpod (www.ephpod.com). It's free, and works just fine with the ipod once you "christen" it by installing the included ipod software.

Another thing they brought back from the original ipod is the EQ system, which I personally don't like. I have found only 3 really usable settings, and I listen to a HUGE variety of music. Those three settings: Off, Bass boost, Treble boost. That's it. And those are still only "mediocre" since there's recordings where I wish I could have more of both, but customized to my needs. What I think Apple should do here is at the VERY LEAST add a straight bass/treble control, or give us the ability to make our own presets on our PC's or something. That being said, let's talk about....

A step forward: Sound quality

The original ipod sounded phenomenal for a portable music device. It has defined what a portable digital music player should be: Loud, free of distortion and offer good dynamic range. The ipod did this with flair. However, I have to say - after 2 days of VERY heavy listening, the new ipod has improved sound quality. I don't know if there is any new hardware in the new ipod to account for this, but the sound quality for me is NOTICABLY improved. What's great about this is that it didn't even NEED improving, but they somehow managed to do it. On the new ipod, I hear a lot of extra little nuances I didn't notice on the first ipod, and yes. I'm using the same MP3's (320k VBR0 LAME encoded) and earbuds (Sony MDR-EX71SL's, EXCELLENT earbuds for the ipod). What's most noticable is how clean the sound is with quiet passages in your music. Unbelievably clean sound, even when cranked up to the ear-bleeding maximum volume level.

A slight glitch:

One of the things I've noticed about the 30GB ipod is the access times. It seems that when you list all the albums/songs available on the 30GB ipod, there's a couple of second pause while the hard drive reads them in. Additionally, another annoying characteristic of the 30GB ipod over the 15GB ipod is the length of time it takes to change tracks. On the 15GB ipod, it's near instant, but on the 30 there can be up to a 2 or 3 second pause. It doesn't ALWAYS happen, but it happens frequently enough to be annoying.

Music to your ears?

So, if you have an ipod, should you get one of the new ones? That depends. If you're happy with the sound quality and size of the current ipod, and can't afford to lose an hour or two of battery life, then I would say No. Keep what you have, they're really both great units.

However, if you just GOTTA have a smaller form factor unit, and don't mind buying a second proprietary cable, then this is the player for you. If your decision is based on size, you REALLY have to see how small this unit is to appreciate it. Just make sure you play around with it enough to know whether you can get used to the new smaller and cramped button/jog wheel layout.

If you've been on the fence waiting for a this new ipod model, then you really should grab one of them. You will NOT be disapointed.

I'm giving this baby 5 stars. This baby keeps me sane on my commute and during work. I would not want to be without it.