Apple iPod Nano 2nd Generation Silver (4 GB) MP3 Player
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- Number of Songs: 1000
- Usage: Music
- Interface: USB 2.0
- Screen Size: 1.5 inch
- Main Storage Type: Built-in Memory
- Storage Capacity: 4 GB
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Exellent quality, much better than first-gen nano
Pros
Very easy - first true "plug and play" device, Excellent quality, Long battery life
Cons
More expensive than other players
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Buy it. The Ipod Nano is easy to use, durable, and well worth the money over other MP3 players.
NOTE: I actually bought the 2GB silver version of this Ipod. But since other second-gen Ipod Nano reviews are written here, and the only difference between the models is size, I will write one review that covers all sizes and post it here with the others.
"I'm in a hurry" Section:
The second-generation Ipod Nano is something I recommend to anyone. Since I bought it a month ago, it has become my most-used piece of electronic equipment. The second-generation improves upon the first, adding more battery life, a brighter screen, and a much better enclosure. The click-wheel interface is very easy to use and the most intuitive interface I've seen for any portable device. Overall, I think the second-gen Ipod Nano is a must-have product for anyone who likes music.
I bought the second-gen Nano to replace my first-gen Nano, which broke when I dropped it in water (here's a great place to note: be careful with Ipods. Unlike many other portable electronics, they are very sensitive to water due to the exposed USB port at the bottom where water can get it).
Description:
The second-gen Ipod Nano is a smaller, lighter, and overall "cooler" version of Apple's popular Ipod MP3 player. Unlike its larger counterpart, the Nano does not play video. It comes in three sizes - 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. These will hold ~500, 1,000, and 2,000 songs, respectively, assuming four minutes per song.
The latest Ipod Nano is actually the second generation of the product. The newer product has a brighter screen, more battery life, easier installation, and a better enclosure than the first generation Nano.
The Nano comes packed in a small box which contains a set of earbuds, a "quick-start guide", an adapter for using the product with Ipod dock accessories, and the Ipod itself, which is contained in a plastic display case. In fact, the packaging is so neat and unique that you know you're getting a high-quality product from the start. Notice that I didn't mention a software CD. What? No CD? Ahh, but the folks at Apple have come up with a better solution. More on that later...
The Ipod itself is very small, about as long as your ring finger, as wide as half of your thumb, and as thin as two sticks of gum (if you wanted some handy comparisons). It is also very lightweight - so light, in fact, that if you drop it, you can catch it by the earbud cord and it won't disconnect (not saying you should try it to find out, however). On the front is a 1.5" LCD screen and Apple's famous clickwheel. For those of you who don't know, it is a touch-sensitive wheel with four buttons - menu, forward, play/pause, and back. More on the clickwheel in the "ease of use" section. In the center of the clickwheel is an unlabeled enter button. On the top of the Ipod is the hold button - used to disable the buttons so you don't hit them accidentally. On the bottom you will find the proprietary USB port and headphone jack.
The included software works with Itunes, an online music store where you can buy Ipod AAC music files (note: it can also play regular MP3s and uncompressed WAV files as well as lossless AIFF files) for $.99 each or import and encode your CD collection. The software can also burn music to a CD (although protected AAC files can only be burned seven times). Of course, Itunes can also play music through your computer's speaker system. If you don't have Itunes, you will be directed to download it (the download is free) when you install your Ipod Nano.
Aesthetics:
The new Ipod Nano has a much different enclosure than the old one. The new aluminum enclosure is not glossy like the old one and is instead a more solid color. I prefer the new look to the old one - and even if you don't like it at first, try using both the old Nano and the new one for thirty days and then see which one looks better. That's the primary advantage of the new case - it doesn't scratch and fingerprint within seconds of you touching it. In fact, you can hold it naturally, without having to keep your finger on the edges for fear of getting fingerprints on it. I still recommend buying a case for it, but the new Nano can do without one.
The screen is very bright - 40% brighter than the screen on the old Nano - and is easy to see even in bright sunlight. In very bright places, you can turn off the backlight and the screen will work as a reflective screen while still retaining proper colors. Users should note, however, that the Ipod Nano is incapable of displaying video. As for the size, it is small, but I don't find anything hard to read on it.
On the back is the Ipod logo, serial number, copyright, and a two-line custom engraving of your choice (only if you order from Apple's online store).
Ease of Use:
Installation (if you can even call it that) is extremely simple. In fact, this is the first true "plug and play" device I've seen. When you receive you Ipod Nano, you will notice there is no CD. Instead, the software is preinstalled on the Ipod itself. You plug the device into your USB port and the software installs itself! (Note: if you don't have Itunes, it will be downloaded) Then, if you have Itunes already, all songs are automatically downloaded to your Ipod and the software is updated if necessary. In the future, when you add songs to your Itunes library, simply plug in the Ipod and it will automatically sync with the software. The Nano even comes with a fully-charged battery.
The Ipod Nano is very easy to use. With the clickwheel interface, you move your finger around a touch-sensitive wheel to scroll through the menus. It is a very efficient system that you really have to try out to understand and appreciate. Once you scroll to the item you want on the menu, you press the center button to select it. When playing a song, the "now playing" screen is displayed by default, showing the artist and song title along with the time elapsed and time remaining in the song. By default, when on this screen, the clickwheel controls volume. You can press the center button to change this to go to a specific place in the song, view album art, or rate the song on a one-to-five scale.
Performance:
It is hard to believe that something this small can perform this well. The battery lasts up to 24 hours of continuous use (increased from the 14 hours of the old Ipod Nano). The screen is bright enough to be seen anywhere. Sound quality is great - though you may want to buy better headphones than those included to get more bass response. The battery recharges to 80% in one hour.
The only performance quirk is that, while playing a song, navigating through the menus or playing the included games can be a little choppy. Other than that, however, the product works great.
Build Quality:
It looks built to last. The new case won't scratch as easily as the old one. As I said before, if you drop it, you can usually catch it by the headphone cord. Even if you didn't catch, however, it probably wouldn't break, as the Nano is very lightweight and doesn't use a hard drive. One thing it is sensitive to, however, is water. While many electronics will be okay if you dry them out after they get wet, the Ipod won't for two reasons. First, the battery cannot be removed. Second, water can easily get in through the USB port and cause corrosion. So, don't take your Ipod into the rain or bathroom.
Extra Features:
The Ipod Nano has a few extra features besides playing music:
Clock and World Clock: It can tell time in multiple time zones, each with a settable alarm (although the beep is not very loud - this feature works best when the Ipod is connected to speakers).
Games: A few games are included such as solitaire, brick, and a music quiz game.
Notes: The Ipod can read and display text files.
Podcasts: These are like free mini radio shows - when you subscribe to one, new episodes are downloaded and older ones are deleted whenever you connect your Ipod the computer.
Audiobooks: You can download audiobooks and listen to them on Ipod. Keep in mind, however, that they take up a lot of space.
EQ: The Ipod includes an EQ with bass boost, bass reducer, treble boost, treble reducer, and many more options.
Stopwatch: The Ipod can work as a stopwatch.
Calendar and Contacts: Self-explanatory.
Photos: You can store thousands of photos and albums on your Ipod.
On-the-go Playlist: You can create a playlist of music on the Ipod itself by holding down the center button while certain songs are selected.
External Disk: You can use the Ipod Nano as a USB drive which can hold any file and view text files.
These are all the extra features I can recall at the moment.
Accessories:
Many accessories are available for the Ipod Nano:
Speakers: You can buy docking speakers ranging from a pair of $50 portable speakers to a $350 Hi-Fi stereo speaker for your Ipod.
Headphones: You can upgrade the Ipod earbuds to headphones and earbuds ranging from a $20 pair that gives you better bass to a $500 pair that brings out the best sound quality in uncompressed or lossless (meaning compressed, but not to the extent that you lose sound quality) music.
Cases: You can buy cases to protect your Ipod, although this is less necessary with the second generation Nano.
FM Transmitter: An FM transmitter will broadcast your Ipod's music so that it can be picked up by your car radio and played through your car's stereo system.
Universal Dock: The universal dock provides a convenient way for you to connect the Ipod to your computer.
FM receiver and remote: This accessory allows you to receive FM radio on you Ipod and also includes a small remote to control the radio and Ipod while it is still in your pocket.
Value:
You do pay a premium to get the Ipod instead of other MP3 players. But, considers the amazing Apple quality, compatibility with many accessories, very simple clickwheel interface, and easy Itunes synchronization, I think it is worth the price. Once you get an Ipod, you will never go back to a CD player again. I recommend it for anyone who likes music. If you really care about sound quality, you can still store about 40 CD-quality songs per gigabyte of storage space.
Do I recommend the Ipod Nano over the regular Ipod? Yes, unless you watch video, have over 2,000 songs, or want to use lossless compression. In other words, for most users, yes.
"I'm in a hurry" Section:
The second-generation Ipod Nano is something I recommend to anyone. Since I bought it a month ago, it has become my most-used piece of electronic equipment. The second-generation improves upon the first, adding more battery life, a brighter screen, and a much better enclosure. The click-wheel interface is very easy to use and the most intuitive interface I've seen for any portable device. Overall, I think the second-gen Ipod Nano is a must-have product for anyone who likes music.
I bought the second-gen Nano to replace my first-gen Nano, which broke when I dropped it in water (here's a great place to note: be careful with Ipods. Unlike many other portable electronics, they are very sensitive to water due to the exposed USB port at the bottom where water can get it).
Description:
The second-gen Ipod Nano is a smaller, lighter, and overall "cooler" version of Apple's popular Ipod MP3 player. Unlike its larger counterpart, the Nano does not play video. It comes in three sizes - 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. These will hold ~500, 1,000, and 2,000 songs, respectively, assuming four minutes per song.
The latest Ipod Nano is actually the second generation of the product. The newer product has a brighter screen, more battery life, easier installation, and a better enclosure than the first generation Nano.
The Nano comes packed in a small box which contains a set of earbuds, a "quick-start guide", an adapter for using the product with Ipod dock accessories, and the Ipod itself, which is contained in a plastic display case. In fact, the packaging is so neat and unique that you know you're getting a high-quality product from the start. Notice that I didn't mention a software CD. What? No CD? Ahh, but the folks at Apple have come up with a better solution. More on that later...
The Ipod itself is very small, about as long as your ring finger, as wide as half of your thumb, and as thin as two sticks of gum (if you wanted some handy comparisons). It is also very lightweight - so light, in fact, that if you drop it, you can catch it by the earbud cord and it won't disconnect (not saying you should try it to find out, however). On the front is a 1.5" LCD screen and Apple's famous clickwheel. For those of you who don't know, it is a touch-sensitive wheel with four buttons - menu, forward, play/pause, and back. More on the clickwheel in the "ease of use" section. In the center of the clickwheel is an unlabeled enter button. On the top of the Ipod is the hold button - used to disable the buttons so you don't hit them accidentally. On the bottom you will find the proprietary USB port and headphone jack.
The included software works with Itunes, an online music store where you can buy Ipod AAC music files (note: it can also play regular MP3s and uncompressed WAV files as well as lossless AIFF files) for $.99 each or import and encode your CD collection. The software can also burn music to a CD (although protected AAC files can only be burned seven times). Of course, Itunes can also play music through your computer's speaker system. If you don't have Itunes, you will be directed to download it (the download is free) when you install your Ipod Nano.
Aesthetics:
The new Ipod Nano has a much different enclosure than the old one. The new aluminum enclosure is not glossy like the old one and is instead a more solid color. I prefer the new look to the old one - and even if you don't like it at first, try using both the old Nano and the new one for thirty days and then see which one looks better. That's the primary advantage of the new case - it doesn't scratch and fingerprint within seconds of you touching it. In fact, you can hold it naturally, without having to keep your finger on the edges for fear of getting fingerprints on it. I still recommend buying a case for it, but the new Nano can do without one.
The screen is very bright - 40% brighter than the screen on the old Nano - and is easy to see even in bright sunlight. In very bright places, you can turn off the backlight and the screen will work as a reflective screen while still retaining proper colors. Users should note, however, that the Ipod Nano is incapable of displaying video. As for the size, it is small, but I don't find anything hard to read on it.
On the back is the Ipod logo, serial number, copyright, and a two-line custom engraving of your choice (only if you order from Apple's online store).
Ease of Use:
Installation (if you can even call it that) is extremely simple. In fact, this is the first true "plug and play" device I've seen. When you receive you Ipod Nano, you will notice there is no CD. Instead, the software is preinstalled on the Ipod itself. You plug the device into your USB port and the software installs itself! (Note: if you don't have Itunes, it will be downloaded) Then, if you have Itunes already, all songs are automatically downloaded to your Ipod and the software is updated if necessary. In the future, when you add songs to your Itunes library, simply plug in the Ipod and it will automatically sync with the software. The Nano even comes with a fully-charged battery.
The Ipod Nano is very easy to use. With the clickwheel interface, you move your finger around a touch-sensitive wheel to scroll through the menus. It is a very efficient system that you really have to try out to understand and appreciate. Once you scroll to the item you want on the menu, you press the center button to select it. When playing a song, the "now playing" screen is displayed by default, showing the artist and song title along with the time elapsed and time remaining in the song. By default, when on this screen, the clickwheel controls volume. You can press the center button to change this to go to a specific place in the song, view album art, or rate the song on a one-to-five scale.
Performance:
It is hard to believe that something this small can perform this well. The battery lasts up to 24 hours of continuous use (increased from the 14 hours of the old Ipod Nano). The screen is bright enough to be seen anywhere. Sound quality is great - though you may want to buy better headphones than those included to get more bass response. The battery recharges to 80% in one hour.
The only performance quirk is that, while playing a song, navigating through the menus or playing the included games can be a little choppy. Other than that, however, the product works great.
Build Quality:
It looks built to last. The new case won't scratch as easily as the old one. As I said before, if you drop it, you can usually catch it by the headphone cord. Even if you didn't catch, however, it probably wouldn't break, as the Nano is very lightweight and doesn't use a hard drive. One thing it is sensitive to, however, is water. While many electronics will be okay if you dry them out after they get wet, the Ipod won't for two reasons. First, the battery cannot be removed. Second, water can easily get in through the USB port and cause corrosion. So, don't take your Ipod into the rain or bathroom.
Extra Features:
The Ipod Nano has a few extra features besides playing music:
Clock and World Clock: It can tell time in multiple time zones, each with a settable alarm (although the beep is not very loud - this feature works best when the Ipod is connected to speakers).
Games: A few games are included such as solitaire, brick, and a music quiz game.
Notes: The Ipod can read and display text files.
Podcasts: These are like free mini radio shows - when you subscribe to one, new episodes are downloaded and older ones are deleted whenever you connect your Ipod the computer.
Audiobooks: You can download audiobooks and listen to them on Ipod. Keep in mind, however, that they take up a lot of space.
EQ: The Ipod includes an EQ with bass boost, bass reducer, treble boost, treble reducer, and many more options.
Stopwatch: The Ipod can work as a stopwatch.
Calendar and Contacts: Self-explanatory.
Photos: You can store thousands of photos and albums on your Ipod.
On-the-go Playlist: You can create a playlist of music on the Ipod itself by holding down the center button while certain songs are selected.
External Disk: You can use the Ipod Nano as a USB drive which can hold any file and view text files.
These are all the extra features I can recall at the moment.
Accessories:
Many accessories are available for the Ipod Nano:
Speakers: You can buy docking speakers ranging from a pair of $50 portable speakers to a $350 Hi-Fi stereo speaker for your Ipod.
Headphones: You can upgrade the Ipod earbuds to headphones and earbuds ranging from a $20 pair that gives you better bass to a $500 pair that brings out the best sound quality in uncompressed or lossless (meaning compressed, but not to the extent that you lose sound quality) music.
Cases: You can buy cases to protect your Ipod, although this is less necessary with the second generation Nano.
FM Transmitter: An FM transmitter will broadcast your Ipod's music so that it can be picked up by your car radio and played through your car's stereo system.
Universal Dock: The universal dock provides a convenient way for you to connect the Ipod to your computer.
FM receiver and remote: This accessory allows you to receive FM radio on you Ipod and also includes a small remote to control the radio and Ipod while it is still in your pocket.
Value:
You do pay a premium to get the Ipod instead of other MP3 players. But, considers the amazing Apple quality, compatibility with many accessories, very simple clickwheel interface, and easy Itunes synchronization, I think it is worth the price. Once you get an Ipod, you will never go back to a CD player again. I recommend it for anyone who likes music. If you really care about sound quality, you can still store about 40 CD-quality songs per gigabyte of storage space.
Do I recommend the Ipod Nano over the regular Ipod? Yes, unless you watch video, have over 2,000 songs, or want to use lossless compression. In other words, for most users, yes.
