iPod Mini assassin squad: mission accomplished

Jasmine France
Associate editor

Updated February 2, 2006

OK, so maybe it's not exactly an assassination if the target just lies down and dies, but you get the idea. Up until Apple retired the iPod Mini in September 2005 (when the iPod Nano was introduced), it was the most popular MP3 player in the world in terms of units sold. Even after Apple released the supposedly superior Nano, consumers continued to snatch up Minis. You can still find this antiquated iPod, but frankly, it's a bit past its prime, so if you really want a microdrive-based MP3 player, check out the ones below. Most include luxuries such as photo-friendly color screens, FM tuners, voice recording, and compatibility with subscription services.

More resources

The Apple iPod family album

Creative's family album

Six MP3 players with great FM tuners

Editors' top headphones

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Product name	Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, black)	Archos Gmini XS 100 (3GB, Volcanic Black)	Philips GoGear Jukebox HDD1630 (6GB)	Olympus M:robe MR-100	iRiver H10 (5GB, Trance Red)	Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox (6GB)

Review date	November 22, 2005	August 11, 2005	February 10, 2006	May 6, 2005	February 17, 2005	August 2, 2005

Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained)	8.3 Excellent	7.3 Very good	7.0 Very good	6.7 Good	7.3 Very good	6.0 Good

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Review summary	The Creative Zen Micro Photo is an excellent full-featured MP3 player and, for its size, a decent photo viewer; it just doesn't combine the two effectively.	If you're looking for a small MP3 player with a stylish and ergonomic design--and you don't need a ton of storage--consider Archos's Gmini XS 100.	The Philips GoGear Jukebox 6GB (HDD1630) will please penny-pinchers and patient power users alike, but if you demand a speedy processor in your MP3 player, look elsewhere.	The attention-grabbing M:robe MR-100 sounds good, but if you want features and flexibility, look elsewhere.	As iRiver's first 5GB entry, the H10 includes nearly every coveted feature, but navigating the player controls can frustrate some users.	Digital photo display and subscription-based music support are cool features, but the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox's performance leaves much to be desired.

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Basic Specs
	• Hi-Speed USB • Creative Media Explorer , Creative Media Toolbox , Creative MediaSource • 4.1 oz • 0.1 % • 8 GB • 15 hour(s) • 96 dB • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 2 in x 0.7 in x 3.3 in Full specifications	• Hi-Speed USB • 2.8 oz • 3 GB • 1 year warranty • 14 hour(s) • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 1.7 in x 0.5 in x 3.6 in Full specifications	• USB • Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 , Drivers & Utilities • 3.1 oz • 0.1 % • 6 GB • 17 hour(s) • 82 dB • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 2.1 in x 0.6 in x 3.4 in Full specifications	• 5 GB • 3.5 oz • Lithium ion • 12 hour(s) • 3.5 in x 0.6 in x 2 in • Hi-Speed USB Full specifications	• Hi-Speed USB • Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 • 3.4 oz • No built-in memory • 0.1 % • 5 GB • 16 hour(s) • 90 dB • Lithium ion • 3.7 in x 2.1 in x 0.6 in Full specifications	• Integrated • USB 2.0 • Drivers & Utilities , Microsoft Windows Media Player • 3.4 oz • 1 MB • 6 GB • 90 days warranty • 8 hour(s) • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 2.3 in x 0.7 in x 3.8 in Full specifications