apple
iPod Classic (80GB) Review
Finally, I make the time to review the iPod Classic I
received about two weeks ago.
As always, Apple does a fine job in it's packaging, which is as elegant as the products themselves. Besides the pretty box, it contains the iPod itself, earphone buds, USB to iPod connector and a dock insert. The 80GB version is slightly smaller than the 160GB version, but not by much. As another comparison, the Classic is about as wide as the new Nano is long and the Classic's length is 2 new Nano's wide. Simply put, the Classic (80GB) is about twice as big as the new 3rd Generation Nano.
As far as usability, the iPod is top marks there. As this is my first iPod, I cannot comment on the real differences between older models. Let's face it, you didn't buy an iPod because it was cheaper than another brand. You bought it because, well, it's an iPod. The click wheel and interface makes it easy to use with one hand.
You can read other reviews and they will compare the latest version of the iPod to other versions, talk about sound quality and give you size measurements to the millimeter. But I am going to skip over that. Let me talk about some of the things that I wish I had known before I bought my iPod, although would not have changed my mind about the purchase.
Color: I wish the Classic came in the colors of the Nano, but they only come in White and Black. I choose the black one. When trying to decide on a protective case, I bought an iSkin. I may have been better of getting a white iPod so that I can choose different skin colors. A black iPod doesn't show off colored skins very well, so something to think about.
Scratches. Except for the iPhone and iTouch, the screen on the iPod is still plastic and can still be scratched. I would recommend a case right away, even buy it at the same time to remove from the box and put into a case. Also, the back of the iPods are still a shinny stainless steel, which is a nightmare for smudges and finger prints. Worse, even after carefully using the iPod without a case, only sitting it on my desk and NOT placing it in my pocket with keys, the back still got scratches on it within a couple of days. They are not bad scratches, but they are there.
Don't forget too, with an 80GB drive it takes awhile to sync over USB. I think my initial sync of about 4-5000 songs and a few movies took about 1 hour. But 80GB goes you tons of space to store your media. I've got just over 5700 songs, 26 full length movies, 11 Podcasts some with video, over 400 contacts from my Address Book, 4 games and still have over 11GB of free space left. I can still fit about 12 more movies or another 2000 songs. You'll never get bored on public transit again.
Watching movies on the Classic with its bigger than the Nano screen is comfortable. I noticed that it was too small to watch movies while moving, like on an stationary exercise bike. But sitting in your car waiting for someone or on the bus or subway its great.
Don't forget too, you have to use iTunes to sync your iPod. Not a problem for me as my music library was already in iTunes. The iPod will only accept song formats that you can get into iTunes. So if you have songs other than AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, WAV and AIFF formats, you'll have to convert it to one of these supported formats.
Overall I love the iPod Classic, if it's too big in size for you consider the Nano, it's still 8GB. You can fits lots of songs and even a couple of movies. The hard drive of the Classic concerns me about failure and can't wait for larger Flash Memory style iPods like the Nano and iTouch. I think the iTouch is over priced for the size (8GB and 16GB) but prices will drop and sizes increase just like the original iPods did when they first came on the seen.
Good: It's an Apple iPod, more room than most will need, screen big enough to watch movies.
Bad: Expensive compared to other MP3 players, scratches easily - requires protective case, not flash memory storage..
Link: http://www.apple.com/ca/ipodclassic/
As always, Apple does a fine job in it's packaging, which is as elegant as the products themselves. Besides the pretty box, it contains the iPod itself, earphone buds, USB to iPod connector and a dock insert. The 80GB version is slightly smaller than the 160GB version, but not by much. As another comparison, the Classic is about as wide as the new Nano is long and the Classic's length is 2 new Nano's wide. Simply put, the Classic (80GB) is about twice as big as the new 3rd Generation Nano.
As far as usability, the iPod is top marks there. As this is my first iPod, I cannot comment on the real differences between older models. Let's face it, you didn't buy an iPod because it was cheaper than another brand. You bought it because, well, it's an iPod. The click wheel and interface makes it easy to use with one hand.
You can read other reviews and they will compare the latest version of the iPod to other versions, talk about sound quality and give you size measurements to the millimeter. But I am going to skip over that. Let me talk about some of the things that I wish I had known before I bought my iPod, although would not have changed my mind about the purchase.
Color: I wish the Classic came in the colors of the Nano, but they only come in White and Black. I choose the black one. When trying to decide on a protective case, I bought an iSkin. I may have been better of getting a white iPod so that I can choose different skin colors. A black iPod doesn't show off colored skins very well, so something to think about.
Scratches. Except for the iPhone and iTouch, the screen on the iPod is still plastic and can still be scratched. I would recommend a case right away, even buy it at the same time to remove from the box and put into a case. Also, the back of the iPods are still a shinny stainless steel, which is a nightmare for smudges and finger prints. Worse, even after carefully using the iPod without a case, only sitting it on my desk and NOT placing it in my pocket with keys, the back still got scratches on it within a couple of days. They are not bad scratches, but they are there.
Don't forget too, with an 80GB drive it takes awhile to sync over USB. I think my initial sync of about 4-5000 songs and a few movies took about 1 hour. But 80GB goes you tons of space to store your media. I've got just over 5700 songs, 26 full length movies, 11 Podcasts some with video, over 400 contacts from my Address Book, 4 games and still have over 11GB of free space left. I can still fit about 12 more movies or another 2000 songs. You'll never get bored on public transit again.
Watching movies on the Classic with its bigger than the Nano screen is comfortable. I noticed that it was too small to watch movies while moving, like on an stationary exercise bike. But sitting in your car waiting for someone or on the bus or subway its great.
Don't forget too, you have to use iTunes to sync your iPod. Not a problem for me as my music library was already in iTunes. The iPod will only accept song formats that you can get into iTunes. So if you have songs other than AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, WAV and AIFF formats, you'll have to convert it to one of these supported formats.
Overall I love the iPod Classic, if it's too big in size for you consider the Nano, it's still 8GB. You can fits lots of songs and even a couple of movies. The hard drive of the Classic concerns me about failure and can't wait for larger Flash Memory style iPods like the Nano and iTouch. I think the iTouch is over priced for the size (8GB and 16GB) but prices will drop and sizes increase just like the original iPods did when they first came on the seen.
Good: It's an Apple iPod, more room than most will need, screen big enough to watch movies.
Bad: Expensive compared to other MP3 players, scratches easily - requires protective case, not flash memory storage..
Link: http://www.apple.com/ca/ipodclassic/
|
Purchased iSkin for iPod Classic
08/12/07 08:00 Filed in: Updates
Original Posting - Dec 6, 2007 (14:37)
I researched on the internet for a protective case for my iPod. I narrowed it down to two that I wanted. Last Saturday, I headed off to the Apple store at Sherway Gardens to see what they actually had in the store. I was lucky to find one that was on my list. The iSkin Claro Special Edition. I've been using the case since I got it. My thoughts on it are mixed. As for protecting my iPod, the iSkin Claro does a great job, 10 out of 10, but usability is another issue. I am awaiting responses from iSkin about my issue and I will provide more details later.
I researched on the internet for a protective case for my iPod. I narrowed it down to two that I wanted. Last Saturday, I headed off to the Apple store at Sherway Gardens to see what they actually had in the store. I was lucky to find one that was on my list. The iSkin Claro Special Edition. I've been using the case since I got it. My thoughts on it are mixed. As for protecting my iPod, the iSkin Claro does a great job, 10 out of 10, but usability is another issue. I am awaiting responses from iSkin about my issue and I will provide more details later.
2nd iPod Arrival
08/12/07 07:59 Filed in: Updates
iPod Arrival
08/12/07 07:59 Filed in: Updates
Original Posting - Nov 29, 2007 (15:16)
Well it finally arrived. Less than 71 hours after I placed the order on the Apple.ca website, one of the two iPods arrived. My 80Gb Classic. I will provide a review and some pictures after I've had some time to play with it. So, I'm off to play with my first iPod.
Well it finally arrived. Less than 71 hours after I placed the order on the Apple.ca website, one of the two iPods arrived. My 80Gb Classic. I will provide a review and some pictures after I've had some time to play with it. So, I'm off to play with my first iPod.
Waiting for iPods to Arrive
Original Posting - Nov 28, 2007 (16:45)
I ordered two iPods from the Apple.ca website the other day (Nov 24). An iPod Classic - 80GB and an iPod Nano 8GB. We decided to take advantage of Apple's one day sale they have been having the past few years on Black Friday. The Classic was $21 (CAD) off and the Nano was $11 cheaper. While we could have gotten a better buy from a local big box store, we wanted to take advantage of the free engraving that you can get from Apple's online store, and they had free shipping that day.
I've been tracking them with the link provided to the UPS website. Very interesting watching the route it follows. Shanghai, China to Anchorage, AK, US to Louisville, KY, US to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Concord, Ontario to my place. I am hoping the Classic arrives today but it's getting pretty late in the day, so I guess we'll see. The Nano is still reported as being in Osaka, Japan.
I've been putting off getting an iPod for years now. My wife and I decided to get iPods for each other for Christmas this year. I'm getting the Classic and my wife the Nano.
I would prefer the flash memory of the Nano, but want the extra space the hard drive in the Classic provides. I find it hard to choose just a few songs to fit on the smaller iPod, so I went with the bigger one. This way I can choose all the songs from my Favorite artist and not worry about choosing. I can also convert my favorite DVD movies to my iPod and watch them when I need to kill time.
I ordered two iPods from the Apple.ca website the other day (Nov 24). An iPod Classic - 80GB and an iPod Nano 8GB. We decided to take advantage of Apple's one day sale they have been having the past few years on Black Friday. The Classic was $21 (CAD) off and the Nano was $11 cheaper. While we could have gotten a better buy from a local big box store, we wanted to take advantage of the free engraving that you can get from Apple's online store, and they had free shipping that day.
I've been tracking them with the link provided to the UPS website. Very interesting watching the route it follows. Shanghai, China to Anchorage, AK, US to Louisville, KY, US to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Concord, Ontario to my place. I am hoping the Classic arrives today but it's getting pretty late in the day, so I guess we'll see. The Nano is still reported as being in Osaka, Japan.
I've been putting off getting an iPod for years now. My wife and I decided to get iPods for each other for Christmas this year. I'm getting the Classic and my wife the Nano.
I would prefer the flash memory of the Nano, but want the extra space the hard drive in the Classic provides. I find it hard to choose just a few songs to fit on the smaller iPod, so I went with the bigger one. This way I can choose all the songs from my Favorite artist and not worry about choosing. I can also convert my favorite DVD movies to my iPod and watch them when I need to kill time.