Incorporating the fabulous Apple Click Wheel that was first introduced on iPod mini. Offering up to 12 hours of battery life. Weighing in at just 5.6 ounces. And getting slightly... more
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(+) lightweight, easy to use, wifi connection, Nike + iPod function, variety of features (-) pricey, short battery life with apps and video, limited space for music lovers
A review by Keika on Apple iPod 20 GB March 18th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Sound Quality
Excellent
Ease of Use
Simple
Look & Design
Excellent
Range of Features
Diverse
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Super - stylish digital music player with the power to back it up .
Disadvantages:
Apple will bring out a better version .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
My own iPod is the 20GB, 3rd generation model, usually bought for around £299.99. If you’re a student, like me, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can take advantage of massive discounts through the education section of the Apple site: www.apple.com/education
I unwrapped my iPod on that first day, plucked it from the polystyrene and simply stared at it for a while. It was gorgeous. Not only was it surprisingly small and streamlined [fitting perfectly in the palm of my hand] but it was slick and gleaming, the pearly white casing and mirror-like back-panel had been polished to a brilliant shine. I almost regretted not taking advantage of the inscription that Apple offer to put on the casing: I could have had something painfully geeky done, like maybe, “One iPod To Rule Them All”? After all, it was destined for great things - my mp3 collection.
For something so, dare I say it...pretty, it was hard to believe that it could be so powerful. Well, this miniature miracle machine offers plenty more than mere aesthetics. It can boast a phenomenal hard disc space; my version is the 20 gigabyte version and, as such, can potentially hold 5,000 songs. Imagine having double that space - I challenge you to fill the 40GB model in a single lifetime! The range of support for music files is impressive, including compatibility with MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible and AIFF formats. Surprisingly, wma is not supported, yet there are ways to convert these files to mp3. The iPod is not Macintosh-exclusive and will, therefore, work with both Apple Mac and Windows.
The first steps you take should be to organise your music. Generally, iTunes does this for you automatically, sorting your songs alphabetically, etc., yet you should ensure that you have labelled the ‘Album’ and ‘Genre’ sections for each song, to guarantee ease when searching for your songs. Also, you may like to organise some of your songs into playlists, for listening on-the-go. When I was ready to connect to the Mac, I plugged the dock into the firewire port and slipped the iPod into the stand. Automatically, iTunes fires-up and syncs with your ’Pod. The transfer rate is incredible, taking less than a second to import a single song. Blink and you’ll miss it.
After the initial sync is completed, I’ll allow you a happy-dance: now you’re free to play! You can gaze in wonderment at the blue backlight, or the touch-sensitive scroll wheel. Yes, both the selection wheel, for choosing your song, and the operation buttons are sensitive to the electric current from your finger: merely skim over them and watch the songs fly. The menu is incredibly user-friendly; it is easy to navigate because your songs are sorted into sub-categories [which you will have already defined in iTunes]. There is also a pleasant clicking sound when you scroll over a song, which is helpful when you’re working through a long list of songs, yet can be disabled if it gets annoying.
Most importantly, the sound quality is stunning. This was my only concern when first deciding on which mp3 player to buy, that the sound would be crystal clear, and I wasn’t disappointed. For added power, I recomment investing in some heavy-duty headphones, yet for those unlike me who don’t punish their eardrums, the Apple earbuds are more than adequate!
What you’ll get: ---------------------
When I finally received my iPod through the post, I was thrilled. I’d waited for so long and heard so many stories about its capabilities that I couldn’t wait to try it out for myself. Opening the packaging was an event in itself: Apple may court its fair share of controversy but no points should be lost for presentation! You are confronted with a curious black cube which opens in layers to reveal all the kit in stages. The user manual bears a single word as introduction - ‘Enjoy.’ Well, doesn’t that just say it all!
•The 20GB iPod package comes with its very own ‘dock,’ the stand which connects to the computer via your firewire port.
• White earphones, or ‘earbuds’ as Apple likes to call them, with an extra pair of sponge covers. Also, a remote which, as well as enabling you to easily change tracks on the move, serves to extend the cord for the earbuds, if you need extra length. This remote is only included with 20 and 40GB models, however.
• A charger for connection to any plug-socket.
• A small white plug for protecting the connections of your iPod.
• A black carry-case which your iPod fits into snugly - be wary of [or cut off!] the label on the inside, however, as it may scratch your screen. The case has a small clip on the back for your belt or pocket. There is also a black cloth pouch for use if you don’t wish to use the carry-case.
What you’ll need: -----------------------
Being a Mac user, I’m quite sketchy on the details for Windows, so I’ll go ahead with the requirements for Macintosh: before you set it up, you should ensure that your operating system is Mac OS X v10.1.5 or later [some features only work on v10.2.8, so this is recommended]; you should install iTunes v4.1, which you can find on the enclosed CD and you can find any additional information at www.apple.com/itunes ; you also need a program called iSync [version 1.1] for interfacing with iTunes and, optionally, iCal v1.0.1 or later - you’re likely to have this already if you’re an OS X user and it is used for your calendar and contact information.
What else you can do: ------------------------------
Apart from the obvious glee that comes from being able to carry a virtual music store in your pocket, there is a wealth of extra features on the iPod. Take, for example, the capacity for listening to audio books; storing notes and contact information; setting alarms; recording voice memos with the aid of an optional microphone; or storing your digital photographs, using an additional photocard reader. There is also a selection of games to play, my personal favourite being the Music Quiz, which tests your knowledge of your own collection of songs. The best feature, in my opinion, is the choice to store text notes: being a literature student, the ability to keep all my notes and set texts on my iPod for easy access is fantastic! For others, though, the iPod’s best feature may be how it can stand in as an extra hard-drive: enable its disc mode and the iPod can store all your files. Who needs to buy an external hard-drive?!
Peripherals: ----------------
Just like with the emergence of any computer system or console, there has been the inevitable influx of peripheral devices into the market. The majority of these have been manufactured by Apple and a firm called Belkin, yet there are a few brands who have flocked to make products and accessories for the iPod. It is possible to get adaptors to transform the iPod into a dictaphone, link it up to a nearby FM radio, or use it as a photograph storage unit. There are additional cables available for connection to speakers and extra battery packs for extended use. I am fully confident that the iPod could, in future, give you a shower and shave too.
Any Problems? --------------------
Well, if you discount the fact that none of your friends will speak to you for a week out of pure iPod-envy, then you won’t be left with much to complain about! Here are a few things to consider, though...
• The theft of iPods has soared recently with the sheer volume of advertising that has been plastered onto every billboard from here to eternity. I’m sure you’ve all noticed the silhouette adverts. This is a highly desirable piece of kit and can be spotted easily by those distinctive white earbuds, so take care not to brandish it about too much in public [yes, I know you want to show it off!] and I suggest wearing it in the black waist-clip case and wiring it under your clothes, for that extra bit of security. Not to worry too much, of course, just use as much caution as you would when using your mobile phone on the street.
• The ’Pod is a beautiful thing to behold and you’ll want to protect it like it was your firstborn child. That glassy looking aluminium backing gets fingerprinted very easily, but this is not so much of an issue as long as you wipe it over every so often; the problem is that the casing is almost begging to be scratched. Thankfully, in the case that it incurs any scratches, there are various products available to treat them, which can be ordered direct from Apple. I have been told toothpaste works just as well, but don’t quote me on that!
• Battery life. If you’re considering buying an iPod, then you’ll no doubt have heard embittered rumours about its questionable battery life. Personally, having had mine for around a month, I’m still in that honeymoon phase! I am no veteran just yet, but I have no complaints about the battery so far - on an average charge, it lasts around 8 hours, even at the insane volume I play my songs! The possibility that somewhere down the line the battery may have to be replaced completely was awful to contemplate at first, considering the possible expense. Still, nothing lasts forever and after using the iPod, I can assure you that it’s worth every second you can squeeze out of it.
• Connectivity: if you do not have a ‘firewire’ port on your computer, you will have to invest in a USB-2 cable in order to hook it up and transfer music.
Customer Support. -------------------------
In my experience, Apple’s customer support has been fantastic. After finding that one of my earbuds was faulty, I called the helpline and talked to some incredibly helpful assistants who were eager to please - they even registered my iPod for me as we spoke. A replacement pair of earphones was dispatched within three days and they didn’t even ask me to send the faulty ones back to them in exchange.
Anything else? --------------------
To summarise - BUY AN IPOD! Or, yes, well...something less forceful. This isn’t just the latest executive toy, or teenage fad, but a revolutionary music player which is a joy to use. Take a bite out of Apple, here’s one buying decision you won’t regret.
Advantages: It's small, it looks good, it sounds good Disadvantages: Restricted capabilites, Average battery, Occasional glitches, rather hefty price
...you, you should know that Apple have now gone ballistic on the accessories front, with gadgets left, right and centre. You have your wonderful car charger kits, car radio connectors, wireless FM connectors and your car holders, while you also have your various speaker kits, spare batteries, voice recorders and groovy new remotes. Ultimately if you want to have a look at iPod accessories on the Apple website, knowing that while they are beautifully ... ...at a very hefty price.
Quality for your lolly?
When you put things into perspective, they don’t look so clever. The iPod is essentially a portable music player, and it costs a whopping £300. However, I would point to the fact that very few mp3 players on the market offer such a huge memory capacity, with a reliable and simple interface. You can weigh up the cons, the relatively short battery life, the odd restricted function, and even the ...
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Advantages: iTunes, Infinite Accessories, Amazing Battery Life Disadvantages: Might break the bank, Not the tiniest mp3 around , Lost initial appeal
A rotten apple? Highly improbable. Apple has reported sales of more than 2 million iPods in the last quarter – a 500% increase over the comparable period of 2003! So what is all the frenzy about? I myself am quite the Apple enthusiast and will forever blame my parents for not naming me iTom, iDick (maybe not) or iHarry. I battered through cold and death for fourteen hours to be one of the blessed couple to enter the grand opening of the London Apple ... ...socks you can buy from Apple to make sure that your iPod is safe and warm when you go to sleep or carry it around with you. There are so many different accessories you could actually affiliate with your iPod that I am just going make life easier for me and you by listing it.
• iTrip – To summarise, a device used to create your own radio station. This ingenious little devil is plugged into the earphone socket and transmits a radio wave which actually ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Looks Good, Great Sound Quality, Makes You Cool! Disadvantages: Scratches Easily, Technical Features Don't Compare Well to Others.
...different coloured signs, with the apple logo, and a picture of a person with the white buds on, like in the billboard adverts, and it was even better than I had imagined, and this was before I even opened it! And when I did open it, you are met by the first instruction Apple give you, "Enjoy". And how well I have followed this instruction.
I went straight ahead and opened the box, pushed the instruction manual out of the way, and got straight to ... ...listening in the car.
Apple Support
-----------------------------------
Apple support are very helpful and very efficient. I did have a problem with my ipod within about 2 weeks of buying. The hold slider stopped putting the ipod on hold, and obviously at 2 weeks old I wasn't happy. I had registered my ipod the week before, and because I prefer to talk to people than mess around on their website, I decided to ring tech support.
The queue for ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Slick design, large amount of storage space, good interface Disadvantages: No recording features on the move, battery life could be better, surface will never be clean after opening, expensive
...I have had the Apple iPod for a few weeks now; that is not a long time in the slightest, but it has served me exceptionally so far.
Let me start from receiving the package.
Opening the package
Apple have done an amazong job with the packaging. Unacking the iPod is an experience in itself. The box has two compartments, which flip open like a book. Every part is packing in shiny silver too!
At first glance the iPod appears tiny ... ...would have been appropraite for Apple to have included a USB cable also, as many computers do not ship with a firewire port, even today. The USB cable costs £15 from the Apple Store (UK). Furthermore, the iPod does not charge itself through the USB connection - I see no reason why Apple could not have made this work, however, you can instead connect it to the mains to charge at the same time.
Whilst the iPod is charging, you can install the iPod ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: 20Gb Hard Drive, Excellent sound potential Disadvantages: Terrible earbuds, infrequent freezing of pod
The Apple Ipod 20GB Model Code: M9282LL/A
A symbol of youth, wealth, fashion and of course, music - the Apple I-Pod, everyone, let's give it a round of applause!
The Clickwheel
So, with the arrival of the Generation 4 I-Pod late in 2004, the I-Pod is now sleeker, and the designers have omitted the seperate buttons and have now integrated them into one of the most fantastic control units available on any domestic-use music appliances - The CLICKWHEEL, ... ...This proves, once again, that Apple is streets ahead when it comes to the design of a mass-produced piece of kit. This conforms to Apple's recent history with the release of its I-Mac, G4 and G5 models of computer. However, although there has been much debate over the PC and Mac rivalry*, there is surely no real rival to the Apple I-pod. In fact, it seems that most mp3 player manufacturers have given up. Apple, having beaten them to the post, are ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...What would I do without my iPOD??? I don't know how I lived without it...At first I was worried that my 200 GBP purchase would be a phase, but after a few months I still love it. I was never really that into music and could never be bothered to change my CDs in my car but now that I have my iPOD going through my car stereo it is fantastic. I don't know how I am going to fill the 20GB as I ma only on 4 GB at the moment and already there are 1500 songs on it - 3 days worth of constant music(once it is on shuffle). It is easy to use with the clickwheel and with iTunes it is so easy to load your CDs onto it. There are all the features you need - and I haven't tried most of them yet but you can add contacts and appointments and addresses etc. The drawback (besides the price) is that it scratches easily (so I bought a skin which is fine) also...
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Advantages: Huge Capacity, It Looks Bling! Disadvantages: battery life in old models is of concern
...the slightest bit, it skips and sounds awful. With the iPod it has 20 minutes of skip protection which basically means you can jiggle it, jangle it, shake it, run with it, dance with it, do whatever you want to do with it, without it ever skipping a beat! Pretty nifty!
** Capacity **
You will probably have heard lots about how much iPods can store with people claiming they can store "5000 songs" on their ipod. If like me, you’re a little dubious simply check one out. They’re not lying! There was soooo much music on hers. The capacity is huge!
Apple have brought out quite a few different capacity iPods - 10gb, 20gb, 40gb and that new really small one (not sure of capacity)
I was hooked and had to have one! After the girl eventually (after about a month) prised her iPod from my fingers with mutters of "can't believe I thought you were...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Huge Hard Drive Disadvantages: Cheap Accessiories
...Well I bought my Ipod about 9months ago, for £300. At the time all the reviews were raving about it.
Delivered in a small box with everything neatly positioned made it that extra special. It amazes me how somebody can package so many items into such a small compartment, yet make it seem like they’ve got all the space in the world. Sometimes when a product arrives, it's possible you will get a little insight into what exactly you'll be playing with just by the packaging and the arrangement of the bundle. Apple really nailed this one.
The software case with the word 'Enjoy' printed to the side made me feel privileged to be a proud owner of an iPod. It just seemed to me Apple really was going the extra yard to make sure you fully appreciate what you have just received. Let's go through what you get then!
iPod20GBApple...
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Features: Battery level indication, hold button, rechargeable capability, playback speed control, phone book, calendar, upgradeable firmware, built-in games, notes, Battery level indication, hold button, rechargeable capability, date display
Equaliser
Equaliser Factory Preset Qty: 20
Digital player (recorder)
Supported Digital Audio Standards: WAV, AAC, AIFF, Audible, MP3, Apple Lossless, WAV, AAC, AIFF, MP3, WAV, AAC, AIFF, Audible, MP3
ID3 Tags Support: Built-in
Playback Modes: Playlist, random play / shuffle, all tracks repeat, one track repeat, Programme play, random play / shuffle, all tracks repeat, one track repeat
Supported Bit Rate: 32 - 320Kbps
Response Bandwidth: 20 - 20000 Hz
Shockproof Memory: 1500 seconds
External Hard Drive Function: Built-in
Features: Variable bit-rate compatible
Headphones
Headphones Type: Headphones - binaural - ear-bud
Connectivity Technology: Wired
Sound Output Mode: Stereo
Response Bandwidth: 20 - 20000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Connections
Connector Type:
1 x headphones / remote control ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
1 x docking station, 1 x headphones / remote control ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
System requirements
OS Required: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Apple MacOS X 10.1.5 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
Peripheral / Interface Devices: USB port, IEEE 1394 Firewire port
Manufacturer's product description
Incorporating the fabulous Apple Click Wheel that was first introduced on iPod mini. Offering up to 12 hours of battery life. Weighing in at just 5.6 ounces. And getting slightly thinner with each new generation. iPod continues to define the perfect digital music player for Mac and Windows. A musical dream come true, the fourth-generation 20 GB iPod offers huge capacity, letting you easily slip up to 5,000 songs into your pocket. And enjoy it wherever you go. In the car. On the treadmill. At the office. Around the house. iPod now incorporates the same touch-sensitive Apple Click Wheel that debuted on iPod mini. Without lifting that trusty thumb of yours from the wheel, you can easily select playlists, scroll through thousands of songs, and start the music playing. Want that song to play from the beginning again? A single click will do the trick. You can put the Apple Click Wheel to use the next time you want to set your music to shuffle. Right there on the main menu - where it's very easy to find - you'll find a new option - Shuffle Songs. Everyone's favorite option for mixing things up, Shuffle Songs randomly plays the songs in your music library. You'll never guess what's coming up next, so you're always surprised by startling juxtapositions - like a melodic Coldplay song hot on the heels of a Caballe aria. And you can shuffle your way through a lot of songs now that iPod lets you play your music for up to 12 hours on a single battery charge. Imagine: you could fly from New York to Paris and still have hours of listening time left over as you stroll the Champs Elysees. While you're on the move, iPod keeps you aware of its charge level, and when it's time, iPod's quick to recharge. Plug it into your computer or a handy wall socket (via the included power adapter), and you can fast-charge iPod in as little as 2 hours.
![Apple iPod 20GB [MA079B/A]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/77953460.jpg)
23.04.2005
27.08.2004
