Apple iPod 4 GB mini M9436LL/A (Blue) OLD MODEL
by Apple Computer
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Our Price: $33.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple iPod 4 GB mini M9436LL/A (Blue) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Great!
Summary: 4 Stars
I got my blue mini for Christmas a few weeks ago and I've loved it ever since. I've really blossomed into a big music fan over the last year, so I'm glad to have my entire 550-song collection in one place. It's great to have your entire library at your fingertips - I can go from a new Velvet Revolver song to a 20-year-old Metallica classic with the push of a button. And the mini is so small and compact that you can take it with you anywhere. The user interface makes it easy to navigate through your collection without lifting your thumb, and I had little trouble inmporting my collection from iTunes to my iPod with the help of the instruction booklet.
The backlight is a nice feature - though it drains the battery, it's great for nighttime use. I like the games they include on the 'pod as well - Music Quiz is an ingenious idea, and Brick and Parachute are fun, simplistic time-killers (I don't know how to play Solitaire).
That said, I do have a few nitpicks. One is how fast the battery drains. If you want to use this thing often, be prepared to charge it often - I must've charged this thing at least 10 times in the first two weeks of owning it. I wish they had provided some kind of carrying case with the iPod - I know it's durable and everything, but I'd prefer to shield it from scratches and rough handling in my backpack. The headphones were a major disappointment. Why? They broke just two days ago. I hadn't even had 'em for three weeks! And I didn't throw them or mishandle them or anything - they just broke. Now I can only hear out of one side. That was a pain in the butt. I would have hoped Apple would have provided some better headphones to go along with this excellent device.
But those few problems aside, this thing is awesome. I would definitely recommend it to someone with a music library of up to 1,000 songs who wants an easy, convenient way to carry around all of your tunes. A very worthwhile purchase.
Customer Review: For those who don't need the storage
Summary: 5 Stars
The iPod mini works exactly as its larger capacity cousins, the 20GB and 40GB models, do. With it sensitive click wheel, navigation through the music is effortless and intuitive. Downloading from iTunes is automatic upon plugging it in, although the user can manually select tunes, especially useful if your music library exceeds the memory capacity of the iPod. The iPod tutorial CD explains many of the features not discussed in the instruction book.
The iPod mini does have its differences, most obviously its size and memory. It is about half as thick as the 20 GB model, with a much smaller face. Although not as tiny as many conventional MP3 players, it slips easily into a pocket. The case is brushed colored metal, which hides fingerprints and scratches much better than the shiny backed iPod. It comes packed with the same ear bugs, Fire Wire and USB 2.0 cables, and home charger as the larger models do.
Users will need either Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later OR Windows XP OR Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4. Your computer needs either a high-powered USB 2.0 port or a six-prong Fire Wire port. (PC users can purchase a card to upgrade to the correct USB version.) Computers need to run at 500 MHZ or faster. ITunes is the only music software that works with the iPod, although music can be transferred to the program using CD's, either professionally or home burned.
The biggest drawback to the iPod mini is its small memory capacity, only 4 GB versus the 20 GB of the next higher priced model. If you are considering buying a mini, you should decide whether the cool colors and tiny size are worth the limited memory.
The iPod technology is first-rate, with great sound, a multitude of features, and smooth integration with iTunes software. Whether you buy this mini version or one of the larger ones, you won't regret it.
Customer Review: reset+reset+reset = iDud mini
Summary: 1 Stars
My Ipod mini was given to me for my birthday in May, 2004. Almost one month and two returns to AppleCare, I still do not have a properly functioning mini. I have heard the warnings about the problems that are typical to the mini yet I thought it wouldn't happen to me. When I first got it, it seemed to work fine, however it froze after the first ten minutes of use. My friends who also have iPods told me that this was normal. Then it happened every time I used it. AppleCare suggested that I reset the device when that happens. The problem was that I was resetting it constantly (and losing the music in the device). Other problems soon followed. My unit could not recognize being charged or the music in my Itunes library. I was getting strange icons on the screen that weren't in the User's Guide (and only one iPod expert out of the twelve I dealt with knew what the icon meant). I sent it back to Apple once and they said it was fine, apparently looking for a problem unrelated to my unit. I really had to struggle with AppleCare to have them look at it again. They had me reload and update versions of software that didn't help and constantly tried to sell me expensive consumer protection plans. I spent hours on the phone with them. I guess the good people at Apple have a hard time admitting that they too are capable of making a dud, or as I now call my device, an iDud. Now I am waiting for my Ipod to come back from service again. I realize that this is an exception and there are many of you out there who I love your iPods, but if you do get a faulty unit it will be a long and difficult struggle to remedy your situation. In the end, it wasn't worth it. I now just want my device to simply work and the giver of this generous gift to feel happy that he didn't waste his money. Hopefully by my next birthday it will be functioning.Customer Review: Nice...but I should have gotten the larger versions
Summary: 3 Stars
With each generation of the ipod getting better and better, this one was no exception.
Unlike the 20 and 40 GB versions this ipod will only satisfy some of your music needs. 4GB is still a large amount, but you will notice that you will be in the tough spot of having to decide which Dave Matthews album will have to be left out to get a little John Mayer representation on there. For me it is very hard to decide between my favorite albums so the larger size may have been a better deal for me.
The upside to this version of the ipod compared to the 20 and 40 GB's is the battery life. The larger versions eat up battery life considerably quicker than this small compact version. From some of the other reviews I have noticed something about compression of the mp3 file makes the difference in battery life, meaning you could get well above what the larger versions get. I will have to play around with that and see what happens.
Having one for myself, I am planning on getting one for my father, and I'm sure this will by far be the best birthday present he has yet to receive. Sadly I had not the funds to purchase another device, so after my brother receieved one for a very small amount of effort via the website [...]
If you are really interested in this device but don't have the money or are not willing the spend such and exorbant amount, [...] and soon enough both yourself and my father will be basking in the joy of a free ipod!
Cheers!
Customer Review: Not bad! If you like to spend more than it's worth...
Summary: 4 Stars
Not bad but don't get suckered into the hype. These iPod are extremely commercialized. What they fail to mention is when the batteries for these "wonderful" iPods have completely lost their charge you have to send it back to MAC to have the battery replaced. The batteries are meant to last about as long as a rechargeable cordless phone. 1-3 years max. Than it's off to MAC for a battery replacement fee and shipping charges. So do try to estimate how much you are willing to spend.
Software issues: try not to speed through your MP3 collection like you would when pressing the button too fast on a CD player. The iPod will lock and you're stuck performing an "unfreeze command" that I'm sure is listed with other reviews. (Press & Hold both MENU and PLAY till the iPod resets).
By the way, I don't recommend the remote unless you're interested in purchasing that same remote every 3-6 months, since that's how long it takes to break down.
My advise: All technologies improves. I'd say to wait it out and soon a better, less bugged version comes out. Or just enjoy spending your money on this one and enjoy it while it lasts! And of course, wear it like an accessory to show you have wealth.
Personal question: Why'd I buy it??
Answer: It was a gift, that I greatly appreciate and will continue to love!! I'll just have to invest in it from time to time.