Apple iPod mini 2nd Generation Silver (4 GB) MP3 Player
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- Number of Songs: 1000
- Usage: Music
- Interface: Firewire USB 2.0
- Screen Size: 1.67 inch
- Main Storage Type: Hard Drive
- Storage Capacity: 4 GB
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Music on the Go
Pros
Size, sound quality, ease of use, click wheel, sturdy, backlit LCD
Cons
Expensive, size, battery life
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
An excellent but pricey MP3 player
The iPod mini is Apple's latest MP3 player. It has a 4 GB hard drive with 3.7 GB of actual available space. I bought one the first week they came out. I was reeled in by the idea of being able to take my music collection wherever I go. At 249.95 it's not cheap, so "idea" is just a nice way of telling myself that I'm a consumer with little will power!
What's in the stylish box?
iPod Mini
FireWire Cable
USB 2.0 Cable
Earphones
Software CD
Belt Clip
AC Adapter
Wow look!
Looking at the specs its 3.6in tall, 2in wide and 1/2in thick. It's a definite head turner. I usually have people approach me just to ask about it. The back has a cool looking Apple insignia. Yet for as small as it is, it's surprisingly sturdy. It's lightweight at 3.6 ounces but it feels substantial when I hold it. It offers skip protection for anyone planning to exercise with it. Apple claims that the mini is scratch resistant. One thing it's not is sweat or dust resistant, as I constantly have to wipe of residue.
Set Up
The mini is very easy to setup. You can use the FireWire or USB cable to connect it to your computer. I don't have a FireWire port, so I use the USB cable. After that you just install the software cd.
Recharging the battery can be done in two ways. It charges thru the computer with the USB cable or externally with the FireWire cable and ac adapter. It takes about 4 hours for a full charge.
How does it work?
To add songs to the mini, all you have to do is put them in the iTunes library. There is more than one way to do this. I prefer to drag and drop the tunes I want to include. You can also buy songs online thru the iTunes music store for .99 cents each. I haven't tried this yet, but surfing thru their site I can tell they have a comprehensive selection. The mini will automatically synchronize and copy the library every time you plug it back to the USB cable. I have a USB 2 connection; so downloading to the mini is fast. It can hold up to a 1000 songs! For my purposes that is overkill, and so far I have only loaded around 200.
My collection is a mix of MP3 and AAC files. I use big Sony headphones that cover my whole ear and sound quality is excellent. I can't comment on the supplied earbuds, because I can't stand tiny thru the ear headphones. I also bought the Belkin FM transmitterr. It's a mixed bag. I like that it enables the iPod to be played in the car, but it sounds terrible. It gets a lot of static interference.
The touch sensitive click wheel controls the iPod menu system. Its very intuitive and it only took me a few seconds to get familiar. I just move my thumb in a circular motion to navigate the menu or control the volume. Once you have chosen a section of the menu, pressing the middle selection button will take you to its submenu. I like the backlit screen for night. I have it set to light on for 5 seconds every time I touch the click wheel.
There are also extra features like: contacts list, calendar, notes and games. I bought the mini to play music, so I don't plan on using any of the extra features.
Concerns
Other reviews state that battery life is short. It last for 8 hours, which is less than rival models. I'm not worried because I only listen to it maybe 30 minutes a day. I just wanted to throw this out there for all the music lovers.
I'm more concerned about losing it because it's so tiny. Coins have a habit of mysteriously jumping out of my pocket and I don't know many times I've lost my clip-on work badge. So I worry about the mini slipping out of my pocket or the belt clip.
In the end
For my purposes the mini is great but I can't give it a perfect score. At 249.95 it's a little on the pricey side. That's enough to test anyone's love of music. For that price there are many options to explore. I was aware that the 15GB iPod was only 50 dollars more. But it's not as portable or stylish as the mini. I don't need all that space. I don't have any experience with the bigger iPod but if it's similar to the mini then you can't go wrong with either.
What's in the stylish box?
iPod Mini
FireWire Cable
USB 2.0 Cable
Earphones
Software CD
Belt Clip
AC Adapter
Wow look!
Looking at the specs its 3.6in tall, 2in wide and 1/2in thick. It's a definite head turner. I usually have people approach me just to ask about it. The back has a cool looking Apple insignia. Yet for as small as it is, it's surprisingly sturdy. It's lightweight at 3.6 ounces but it feels substantial when I hold it. It offers skip protection for anyone planning to exercise with it. Apple claims that the mini is scratch resistant. One thing it's not is sweat or dust resistant, as I constantly have to wipe of residue.
Set Up
The mini is very easy to setup. You can use the FireWire or USB cable to connect it to your computer. I don't have a FireWire port, so I use the USB cable. After that you just install the software cd.
Recharging the battery can be done in two ways. It charges thru the computer with the USB cable or externally with the FireWire cable and ac adapter. It takes about 4 hours for a full charge.
How does it work?
To add songs to the mini, all you have to do is put them in the iTunes library. There is more than one way to do this. I prefer to drag and drop the tunes I want to include. You can also buy songs online thru the iTunes music store for .99 cents each. I haven't tried this yet, but surfing thru their site I can tell they have a comprehensive selection. The mini will automatically synchronize and copy the library every time you plug it back to the USB cable. I have a USB 2 connection; so downloading to the mini is fast. It can hold up to a 1000 songs! For my purposes that is overkill, and so far I have only loaded around 200.
My collection is a mix of MP3 and AAC files. I use big Sony headphones that cover my whole ear and sound quality is excellent. I can't comment on the supplied earbuds, because I can't stand tiny thru the ear headphones. I also bought the Belkin FM transmitterr. It's a mixed bag. I like that it enables the iPod to be played in the car, but it sounds terrible. It gets a lot of static interference.
The touch sensitive click wheel controls the iPod menu system. Its very intuitive and it only took me a few seconds to get familiar. I just move my thumb in a circular motion to navigate the menu or control the volume. Once you have chosen a section of the menu, pressing the middle selection button will take you to its submenu. I like the backlit screen for night. I have it set to light on for 5 seconds every time I touch the click wheel.
There are also extra features like: contacts list, calendar, notes and games. I bought the mini to play music, so I don't plan on using any of the extra features.
Concerns
Other reviews state that battery life is short. It last for 8 hours, which is less than rival models. I'm not worried because I only listen to it maybe 30 minutes a day. I just wanted to throw this out there for all the music lovers.
I'm more concerned about losing it because it's so tiny. Coins have a habit of mysteriously jumping out of my pocket and I don't know many times I've lost my clip-on work badge. So I worry about the mini slipping out of my pocket or the belt clip.
In the end
For my purposes the mini is great but I can't give it a perfect score. At 249.95 it's a little on the pricey side. That's enough to test anyone's love of music. For that price there are many options to explore. I was aware that the 15GB iPod was only 50 dollars more. But it's not as portable or stylish as the mini. I don't need all that space. I don't have any experience with the bigger iPod but if it's similar to the mini then you can't go wrong with either.
