Apple iPod (30GB, video, black)

Pros: Sleek, thin, popular

Cons: Battery life, lacks features, overpriced for what you are getting

Summary: Can I first ask are all the editors of ipod reviews paid to have their ratings high. I've read so many reviews that talk about problems with the ipod players but when it comes to their rating it is higher than a player that they gave a rave review to???

I was originally going to buy an ipod when they first came onto the market all those years ago, but was quickly told that these were not the best players on the market. I was refered to the iriver H120 which has been the best investment I have made.

I quickly found out that the ipod really wasn't the best choice with their crap battery life and many unhappy customers. And yet people still buy these players because they are popular. It is so sad all those mp3 players out there that have many more features for your dollar that are just overlooked because people want to be trendy.

Yes this player is small. But it is small at what cost? Lack of features and poor battery life. I will gladly add a couple of millimeters to the size of my mp3 if it is going to mean double the battery life, fm radio and microphone (built in not bought seperatly), and better colour screen.

And yet I am guilty of almost buying an ipod a second time. I went to a store intent on buying a video playing mp3 players. The store had no other video capable mp3 player except for the ipod (as usual). So I asked the shop assistant if the new ipod was any good. She said don't even think about buying it. I think when your told by someone whose job it is to sell you that item not to buy it then you should listen to them.

I'm not slandering ipods like many people are (There seems to be this ongoing war of ipods against any other mp3 player), ipods do have there perks. But if you look around there are much better players out there that can do what the ipod can do and much more. Players with better video and sound quality, more features and for a better price too.