Apple iPod classic 80 GB Silver (6th Generation) OLD MODEL
by Apple Computer
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Our Price: $349.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $100.00 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple iPod classic 80 GB Silver (6th Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: iCrock - the iPod NOT
Summary: 1 Stars
The only possible saving grace about the new iPod Classic is that it does have the potential for a firmware upgrade to fix at least some of the more glaring problems. I think the other reviews have spoken to the issues well but I did want to chime in on the audiobook issue since that is to me one of the most bizarre aspects of this non-product.
I have used every version of iPod from the first generation on (not nanos or whatever just iPods) and this one has definitely broken audiobook organization. On every previous model I simply went to "artists" and selected the name of the author and then had a nice list of the books (using the "album" attribute for book title) and then I could select the part of the book that I wanted to dive into which I could title using the song title attribute. I never ever found the straight audiobook listing particularly useful.
Now I've got to use the amusing "search" mechanism or spend a bunch of time screwing around with playlists to try and put some order in the chaos that some misguided engineers have introduced.
Playlists are extra work that wasn't needed with the prior User Interface and only a partial measure at best since one is still looking at a list of book parts rather than a list of books - obviously playlists were designed for a different purpose than trying to rescue a misbegotten UI design.
The search is actually broken. For example I search for Asimov and the search results report every single one of the audiobook files that I have (500+) not just the ones with "Asimov" as a value of some attribute.
I can not for the life of me understand how the current audiobook category behavior ever got signed off on by QC and usability reviews. The iPod Classic as it stands now is almost exclusively a music box rather than what I used to have which was a library of audiobooks. I do have music on my iPod but I rarely ever listen to it; rather, I spend hours each evening and in the early hours listening to various books some in [...] format some that I've converted myself from CD or cassettes and so on.
This is without a doubt the most completely non-user-engineered downgrade to an otherwise sterling product line that I've ever seen!
If you need a stylish 80GB or 160GB external hard drive this may be the product for you.
Customer Review: No Pain, No Service -- No Ipod
Summary: 1 Stars
Guess what bug Apple didn't catch before releasing the Ipod Classic? The bug that makes the Ipod turn back on a half second after you turn it off. You can't fix this with a reset or restore or letting the battery drain all the way or any of the other common techniques for dealing with Ipod freeze-ups and other common problems. The Ipod jsut keeps running until the battery is dead. You can keep it on a charger but you can't turn it off. So, the many folks that have experienced this problem are waiting for Apple to admit the problem and come up with a fix. Just google "ipod classic won't turn off". It's just incredible, ain't it?
Of two, one broke within the first month- it kept turning itself on. Last year I bought a couple and one wouldn't turn on after about a month. So a 500 batting average seems pretty consistent, although nothing to brag about. According to posted stats, through 1985, Ipods had a 20% failure rate within the first year.
Anyhow, after dutifully going on line to make an appointment for service -- because trying to to do it in the store jsut ends in frustration -- all full today, come back and try again tomorrow --I finally saw a helper after about 40 minutes. Apple calls them "geniuses"; some are knowledgable and some are thick as bricks. It took about 30 seconds to determine that the ipod was broken -- Hey, you turn it off it turns back on within a second. They told me they had none in stock but would have them in a couple days; they'd call me and I could, if I wanted, check the status on-line.
Well, I walked up front and asked a saleperson if they had any 80GB classics in stock. "Loads.! You want to buy one?" The new ones are used when you bring back an ipod for replacment, even if the ipod is brand new. And I can't check status on-line because all it says for my case ID is "status not available"and that's avfter 3 days. And if I call the store, they tell me the any day now, just wait for a call or check on line. A Year ago I waited for them to call and after more than a week -- no messages left, no missed calls, I finally called them and they said oh sure your replacement has been here for days, why didn't you come pick it up.
Walking past the one-on-one Apple "Training table" I saw a sign that said, "No pain, no gain." I thought, "No pain, no service."
Customer Review: Flash memory works better than the Classic's hard drive
Summary: 1 Stars
I got my 80GB iPod Classic a little less than a year ago. Around early April, my computer became unable to recognize the iPod (my computer is an Apple). I took it to the Apple store and they ran it through several tests before finally determining that it had a failed hard drive. They gave me a replacement.
A little over week ago (late June), I plugged the replacement iPod into my computer (it had worked fine since I got it except for having to reformat it once when it went haywire because I interrupted its syncing process). The iPod's hard drive started making clicking noises and iTunes claimed that the iPod was corrupted and must be restored to factory settings. I followed its instructions. After I got all my media put back on, I unplugged my iPod. It got stuck on the 'OK to disconnect' screen, so I rebooted it and got it stuck on the apple screen, making clicking noises, until the battery ran out.
Keep in mind that I was never hard on either iPod. I never dropped them and rarely bumped them. Mainly I listen to music while I do homework or read.
At this point I was totally fed up. An iPod is expensive. It should be able to last several years, not just a few months. So I took it back to the Apple store, hoping I could trade it in for at least an iPod Nano (actually, I had my sights set on an iTouch, which now cost less than what I paid for this one). However, I was given two options: another Classic or a 10% off coupon for another iPod. Either way my [...] have been wasted. So now I am stuck with another of these things, which will probably malfunction again in a few months. Now I must save up my pennies for another, more reliable, MP3 player.
I guess what I am really trying to say is this: until Apple comes out with an iPod with a more reliable hard drive, stick to the ones with flash memory. My 1st generation iPod Nano has served me well for four and a half years and has never had a single problem, although it only holds about a sixth of my music. Until I have enough extra money for another MP3 player, I will be using my Nano and letting my replacement Classic sit in its box until I feel calm enough to do something with it.
I need an iPod I can rely on, and such a flawed design certainly isn't going to cut it.
Customer Review: My first iPod
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an awesome device. Although i only got the 80gb version it more than amply has housed all my several hundred cds. We have now done away with the unsightly cd cabinets, chintzy plastic cases, and usually worthless "liner notes" (usually just the song names and times). All these cds have now gone into 3 ring binders saving space and sparing us environmental eyesores.
During playback you can choose genres, albums, artists to play back. The problems are that genres are too broad so if you choose one you get a lot of stuff you don't really want to hear. Also, compilation albums are not handled well. Your only option is to create your own genres and play lists but this is time consuming and you have to constantly update manually as you add new albums and songs.
iTunes is pretty good in that you can add singles of your choosing. But it is only in copyright protected form and only in the ipod format - not the MP3 format which is more versatile.
A lot of aftermarket stuff exists for your ipod - like cases, skins, speakers, stereos to plug into. Playing it back on your car stereo isn't optimal because most require you to play back through an FM station and these devices cost $60-$100 and apparently aren't that great. A new aftermarket car stereo might do you better but will cost more.
Alone, the device lacks an FM/AM tuner which I think is a fairly big draw back compared to other things out there.
Still, you get your entire collection in a tiny device which is still pretty cool. The wheel tune choose your tunes is a little slow, but far faster than manually flipping through plastic cd cases!
It is a beautiful thing this silver iPod. If it is your first mp3 player you won't be disappointed i promise.
Customer Review: iPod Classic ... BOOOOOOO!
Summary: 1 Stars
I am very unhappy with my new iPod Classic.
The iPod itself isn't the problem either. It is the decisions that Apple has made concerning this product.
I upgraded from a 5th generation Video iPod to gain some more storage space and enjoy some of the new features. I have had my 5th generation iPod for about a year now and have quite a collection of accessories and games.
I was disappointed however to discover that none of these items are now compatible with the iPod classic.
Cubis 2, Lost, Mini Golf, Ms. Pac Man, Sims Bowling, Sims Pool, Texas Hold 'Em and Zuma (some of which I purchased recently) will not work on my new iPod Classic. That's $40 in games, now no good to me.
My disgust with my new iPod grew when I plugged my iPod Classic into my DLO Home Dock Deluxe (The one I purchased to upgrade from my DLO Home Dock because I was not able to navigate videos on the TV screen with the original version, thanks to Apple) only to discover that my iPod Classic is not compatible! Nor is it compatible with any other system other than Apple overpriced $50 A/V Cable.
I also purchased a $300 pair of i-Vue video glasses for iPod, that of course also will not work with my new iPod Classic.
I urge Apple to correct this horrendous shortcoming in the next iPod firmware update.
This seems to be a trend with Apple ever since they decided to suddenly drop firewire from the iPod line up after convincing us that firewire was the connective cable of the future. Apple seems to only be interested in gaining market shares, current customers be damned!
I'll think twice before my next Apple product "upgrade"
Bill Roark
Apple User since my Apple IIe