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Apple iPod (20GB, fourth generation)

2 of 738

Full user review

  • 15 out of 23 people found this review helpful

    0.5 stars

    "Awful with dreadful customer support"

    by john7852 on May 26, 2005

    Pros: Nice Color

    Cons: The product was bad; service worse.

    Summary: Wow. Where to begin. My daughter loved this and used it a great deal. It was a wonderful Christmas present which survived until May. She always had a difficult time maintaining the 'connection' with the pc, the device's memory was awful. But then it froze up. We followed all of Apple's instructions online and eventually had to send the device back to them in their packaging. Next thing we know, they claimed we opened the device (which we didn't) and it was cracked, which it wasn't when we sent it in the packaging. Apple simply doesn't want to back up a poor product. I've often thought people who purchase Apple products buy the sizzle instead of the steak----but I bought an ipod for my teenaged daughter. Heck, the steak was lousy and the sizzle was poor. Oh, to fix this cost more than a new Dell Digital Jukebox. I've always had great luck with Dell products so that's where my money is now.

    When you see an Apple on the product label, choose a different product!!!

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  • 10 replies to this review
  • reply by: MoatazMesbah on October 26, 2008

    I've got this from a friend who no longer needs this iPod and he new I needed an MP3 player so he gave it to me. After 4 months, I powered it on one day as usual and it started doing a BRRRRRZZZZZZCCCCKK sound from the back then I put it next to my ear to examine the noise then the screen went dead. I tried to power it on again but it wont come on again.

    I HATE APPLE. Always EXPENSIVE, Always OVERRATED

  • reply by: firefoxrules on June 14, 2006

    My iPod is not even 1 year old and it's ALREADY having a hardware defect. The socket that takes the headphone jack is bad, it causes half of the signal to drop. I have to hold it to be able to hear the full sound, otherwise it's like really bad quality radio.
    I contacted the Apple service, the guy wasn't all that helpful. I had to pay about $30 for shipping thinking it's worth it if they are going to fix the problem. Guess what?! they sent my iPod without fixing ANYTHING. They enclosed a letter saying "Of the issues reported concerning your iPod product, one or more were found to be either within Apple's specification for acceptable performance, usability and/or functionality".
    Very very very low standard they have, and I would not buy another iPod.
    Just because the product is popular does NOT mean it's the best product in the market. They also charge you for the phone calls you make after the initial call you make regarding your iPod. Very _poor_ customer service.

  • reply by: DDub19 on May 24, 2006

    I had a similar experience with my son's iPod. In our case Apple/HP won't do anything because my warranty expired 9 days previous. The problems began before that, but I was following the "5 R's" on the iPod web site trying to solve the problem.

  • reply by: asymmetric4dx5 on February 19, 2006

    I have been an IT manager for 5 years now and have dealt with Name Brand PCs, Custom Built PCs (ones I have built and ones I didn't build), and Apple systems, along with a host of printers, digital cameras, and other accessories and miscellaneous products. Dell, HP, Compaq and Toshiba have always been hell to work with an always seem to have problems. I have reviewed the Iriver, Dell Digital Jukebox, Gateway Jukebox, Ipod, and Creative Zen. In order or personal review: Ipod 9/10 , Zen 8/10, Dell DJ 6/10 , Iriver 5/10 and Gateway Jukebox 2/10. The Ipod stood up to much more abuse, vibration and shaking along with prevailing in ease of use and ergonomics. I have yet to encounter any ipods "having trouble staying connected" to PCs or Macs. It is a possibility that the problem lies between the keyboard and the chair, as most computer related problems.

    [Edited by: admin]

  • reply by: ipod4thgeneration on January 10, 2006

    i bought a 4th generation ipod just over a year ago. After a few months it started freezing regularly and then displayed the dreaded 'folder exclamation mark' logo. When i got round to replacing it apple were very quick. Now again, after a few months the replacement ipod is freezing. I have heard alot of other people with this problem, i recommend not buying an ipod and looking for an alternate product. The ipod has proved alot more hassle than worth.

  • reply by: ipod4thgeneration on January 10, 2006

    i bought a 4th generation ipod just over a year ago. After a few months it started freezing regularly and then displayed the dreaded 'folder exclamation mark' logo. When i got round to replacing it apple were very quick. Now again, after a few months the replacement ipod is freezing. I have heard alot of other people with this problem, i recommend not buying an ipod and looking for an alternate product. The ipod has proved alot more hassle than worth.

  • reply by: hgoldman77 on October 18, 2005

    Steve Jobs should be ashamed of himself. Why can't he stand behind his products and offer decent customer support? The iPod is an example of a lousy product that looks good, like several of his computer products. His tech support is non-existent. When will consumers wake up to his scams?

  • reply by: RabbitFetus on September 8, 2005

    I feel bad for you that you know trust Dell. One of the worest computer companies out there. The only thing worse than this companies hardware is it's customer service. The parts in their systems is thrown together from whatever is cheapest at the moment, which is why their products are so cheap.

    Anyone who knows anything about the computer world knows this.


    I am a devout Apple user that uses both Windows based products as well as Apples. I will admit that Apple's customer service is expensive BUT it is easily the best out their. Do not tout your bad experience as one that should set an example. Yours seems to be one that is not seen too often. You had bad luck

    This review is crap.

  • reply by: Gerry77 on August 21, 2005

    Obviously a PC fan...not getting through to this guy. To lambast Apple computer and the iPod is ludicrous. Let his comments speak for themselves, no credibility.

  • reply by: N8Owl57 on May 30, 2005

    Sorry, but this story seems very hard to believe. Are you honestly suggesting that everything bad that can happen did happen to YOUR iPod? Hard to believe.

    (1) iPods are built to take quite a beaten (e.g. housing, controls, shock-proof HD, ... some folks even dropped them and they still worked fine, though this is NOT reccomendable for ANY mp3-player. So what did your daughter do to the machine?

    (2) Let's say you had to call Apple Service for help and return the gadget: Apple's Service is among one of the best customer rated in the USA which several surveys showed in recent years. They beat Dell, Sony and several other brand names. Check the facts in any tech-news!

    I never heard of such a lousy customer treat like you describe it yet. They do support their products all they way. Within warranty period and way beyond. I could give you dozens of examples alone of my personal knowledge. So why would you be treated so badly, I wonder?

    (3) All I can say: Where's an Apple Logo on the package you can trustfully buy a well-designed and technically usually cutting-edge product that will give you many years of satisfaction for your money. I've been an Apple customer for almost 15 years now. And I work with their products day by day. Never had any such experiences as john7852.

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