Apple iPod 4 GB mini M9160LL/A (Silver) OLD MODEL
by Apple Computer
Our Price: $304.99
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Apple ComputerBrand: Apple
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Model: M9160LL/A
Color: Silver
Publisher: Apple Computer
Studio: Apple Computer
Music Label: Apple Computer
Product features:
- 4 GB model holds up to 1,000 songs; supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible (6), and AIFF formats
- Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
- 1.67 inch (diagonal) backlit screen displays full song names and more
- More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
- Comes with earbud headphones, belt clip, AC adapter, FireWire cable, and USB 2.0 cable
- Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 Noise Isolating Earphones
- iHome iHM77 Rechargeable Mini Speakers for iPod (Black)
- Logitech Portable Speaker S125i with Built-in iPod Dock
- Ultimate Ears 700 Noise Isolating Earphones
- Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus Omnidirectional Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple iPod 4 GB mini M9160LL/A (Silver) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Too much BOOM will undoubtedly make you BUST!
Summary: 2 Stars
There was a lot of hype coming into the iPod mini. I owned a Rio Nitrus and saw that it had 4 GB and a $250 price tag. I decided to return my Nitrus and take on the mini. I got a silver one. However, the iPod mini was a huge bust and I returned it on Labor Day.
First off, I was impressed by its design. It is very svelte and intuitive. The click wheel is ok but takes some getting used to. Also, there is no dedicated volume button so there is a learning curve to volume control which becomes a major pain. The click wheel is decent but its too easy to over shoot your selections. Also, going through the menus can get tedious sometimes as going back and forth is confusing, plus over shooting the menus happens all the time. iTunes is a good program although I never used the music store. Apart from a few good design and software attributes of the mini, I couldn't find much more to rave about. Now for the cons:
Sound Quality: It is well known that the iPod trails its competitors in the sound quality department, and the mini makes no exception. Sure, if you have never listened to another mp3 player before, it sounds great! That is why you will read these reviews and hear good things about the sound quality. But since I have listened to the two major Sound Quality big boys- Rio and Creative mp3 players, the sound quality was extremely distinguishable, with the iPod sounding flat, not as loud, and base-less, as opposed to the loud, powerful, bass-rich Rio and Creative players. The stock earbuds are bad too. Apple refuses to release their Signal-to-Noise ratio(which is basically how powerful the sound output is), for a good reason at a marketing perspective. Rio and Creative both boast Signal-to-Noise ratios of >(greater than) 95db, which is pretty good. Some 3rd party tests have revealed that the iPod's Signal-to-Noise ratio is <(no more than) 86db. Almost a 10 db difference, which explains the distinguishable sound. The built in EQ hurts the sound quality more than help, since it disorts the sound more than adjust it. The EQ isn't custom, so you are out of luck if none of the presets work for you. None of the presets did a good job of improving the bass. If you want a player that has powerful output with good bass range, avoid the mini.
Battery Life: The rechargeable battery life is inexcusable, considering the amount of money the player costed. The life is advertised at 8 hours, but that is when its EQ is off, volume in the middle, shuffle on and backlight off. When you actually use the click wheel a lot, have the backlight on, fiddle with the player, and have the volume up in the higher range(which you will need to do), you will be getting about 5 hours, 6 is really pushing it. I regularly had to recharge my battery. After 6 months, the battery life started to degrade. The iPod battery is known for its ability to die out, so I knew this was going to happen.
Other minor things have also hurt my experience with the mini. When a song title or album or artist is too long, the iPod mini just centers the text and clips it on the end, which is really unprofessional looking. This is lazy on Apple's part, since its not that hard to do. All other players I have owned can do this. Let's go, Apple. Also, the calender/to-do/address book functions are next-to-useless since they are kind of hard to use, especially with the over sensitive click wheel. The games are ok but nothing that will keep you addicted.
Apple sells its iPod/iPod Mini like hotcakes, so there is no immediate or strong need for them to improve the player. If it weren't selling good, yes, you would see them trying to improve the sound quality, battery life, and execution. However, they really don't care, since they are making loads of money off the product so its not on the top of their priority list. Apple heavily markets/advertises their players and it is really the only player I see advertised. They, along with other media and biased consumer reviews, make it seem like the best player out there but it really isn't when you have had experiences with other players.
On Labor Day I returned my iPod Mini for the Rio Carbon 5GB. It has an extra gigabyte, superior sound quality(only Creative beats it, but hey, Creative makes sound cards), 5 band custom EQ, 14 hours of extra battery life, a slimmer design, a voice recorder, and easier menu navigation(in my opinion) with a more responsive and easier to use jog wheel. It's appearance isn't too bad either. I am extremely happy with my Carbon and I think it is a superior product to the iPod Mini in every aspect. The Carbon is even compatible with iTunes, a huge selling point for the iPod mini! Also compatible with WMP 10 and drag/drop capability, the software edge goes to the Carbon.
The Creative Zen Micro, another 5GB player, has been praised as a good player and although I have not had experience with it, it does look good. It sports an FM tuner, Voice Recorder, and the best sound quality on the market along with 10 colors to choose from. Check it its good review on CNet.
In conclusion, I think the iPod mini was decent at its time until its competition capitalized on the several disadvantages the iPod mini has, making the iPod mini an inferior product in every way. But with no immediate need or desire to improve the performance of the player, and rather just trying to make the cutest mp3 player possible, Apple is not heading in the right direction. This explains the title of this review: Too much BOOM will undoubtedly make you BUST, since its popularity(boom) is so high that it will go bust(not willing to improve it) since it has no need.
I rated this two stars for the following reasons:
+ Good design
+ Durable and strong
+ Click Wheel is good
+ Software Package is good(iTunes)
+ Decent games
+ Easy navigation once you learn the ropes of it
+ 4 GB can be a lot for some
+ 5 colors
- Expensive, bad value
- 4GB may not be enough, and there are also 5 GB players out now
- No dedicated volume control
- Click wheel can be over sensitive
- Menu navigation frustrating as you learn to use it
- No custom EQ, only presets that disort
- Bad included earphones
- Sub-par sound quality with a low range of bass, generally flat
- Can be louder
- Bottom of the barrel battery life, which is inexcusable
- Battery gets weaker over time, can go dead after 400-500 charges
- No useful extra features FM tuner or Voice Recorder
- Tough to use "extras" like Calender or Address Book, better used on a PDA or even yet, Pen and Paper
- Apple heading in wrong direction when it comes to improving the player, they just want the best design rather than best performance. A form over function kind of approach.
- Too many people have one
- Better players of this catergory out there, such as the Rio Carbon or Creative Zen Micro
One sentence summary: If you don't care about sub-par performance on sound from an mp3 player or low battery life, and just want a cute little mp3 player, the iPod mini may be right for you- if you don't like its superior alternatives such as the Rio Carbon or Creative Zen Micro.
Description of Apple iPod 4 GB mini M9160LL/A (Silver) OLD MODEL
The engineers at APPLE squeezed all the finest features of the celebrated iPod into an anodized aluminum case weighing just 3.6 ounces, and smaller than any cell phone. This scratchproof, stainproof wonder provides over 25 minutes of skip protection, and lasts up to 8 hours per battery charge -- so, for once, you pay no penality for miniaturization! Includes sleek, wide range earbud headphones FireWire & USB interface (FireWire cable included) Optional accessories - iPod Mini Dock, In-Ear Headpones, Armband, Wired Remote and more Dimensions - 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5 inches Finish - Silver Save money on this device when you join AudibleListener® Limit one per customerDigital Cameras & Photo Categories
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