Apple iPod Mini (4GB, Blue, 1st Generation)
As shown: $249.00
See manufacturer site for availability
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Eliot Van Buskirk
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
- Updated on:
The good: Best-of-breed design and interface; comes in five colors; excellent playlist features; clean, configurable sound; smooth syncing; organizes contacts; includes games; functions as an external drive.
The bad: No FM radio or recording capabilities; battery not user-replaceable.
The bottom line: Apple comes through again with a nearly perfect MP3 player.
Editors' note: We have changed the ratings in this review to reflect recent changes in our ratings scale. Find out more here.Although it scarcely seems possible, we think the Apple iPod Mini's design surpasses even that of its photogenic older sibling. Its stylish, anodized-aluminum shell is so tough that we felt as if we could stand on the device without consequence. Apple constructs the body by hollowing out Mini-shaped aluminum tubes so that there are no seams in the construction, then applies the color during the anodization process so that it can't scratch off.
The tastiest design treat to our palate is the revamped scrollwheel. The play, menu/back, fast-forward, and rewind functions that the white iPod assigns to four touch-sensitive buttons are now located on the scrollwheel (or, rather, the Click Wheel). We prefer this approach because it offers physical feedback when a function has been activated. In addition to the new functionality, the touch-sensitive clickwheel still works perfectly for scrolling through lengthy song lists with speed and precision. As with the white iPod, the unlabelled button in the middle of the wheel functions as Select. The only other control on the player is the sliding Hold key on top, which locks all functions.
An exposed slot on the bottom of the iPod Mini attaches to either a FireWire or USB 1.1/2.0 cable (both included) or the optional cradle ($39), which connects to the AC adapter or a FireWire/USB port or directly to a stereo through the line-out jack. The Mini snaps into an included white belt clip for on-the-go listening. Apple also offers an optional armband ($29) for exercise, which uses the same, cool snap-in design, but like all hard drive-based MP3 players, the iPod Mini isn't the ideal choice for strenuous physical activity. The optional in-line remote ($39) is the same one included with some versions of the white iPod.
Other than the Belkin voice recorder and flash adapter, most third-party accessories designed for the latest round of white iPods also work with the Mini.
A playlist function lets you rate a song on a scale of 1 to 5 while it's playing; higher-rated songs play more frequently in Shuffle mode (you can also rate songs within the iTunes application). Library/device syncing is still as smart as ever. When you plug in the Mini or drop it in the optional cradle, iTunes starts up and automatically syncs your music collection or selected playlists. With iTunes, you can also create MP3 and AAC files from your CDs. The iPod Mini handles AAC files as it would MP3 files, but AAC sounds better at the same bit rate. The player also supports WAV/AIFF and spoken-word Audible files, which can now be purchased from the iTunes Music Store. The software can also resample songs to a certain bit rate, apply volume leveling (a.k.a. normalization), and digitally enhance songs while transferring them.
Other notable extras include an alarm clock that can beep or play the song of your choice through a home stereo; three games (Brick, Parachute, and Solitaire); Music Quiz, which tests you on how quickly you can recognize songs from your collection; a contacts list and a calendar that syncs with Outlook; an area where you can read text memos; and the ability to play tunes from the iPod's hard drive while it's connected to your computer.
You can use the iPod Mini to share music between multiple computers, but it's not easy, as the player syncs to only one version of iTunes. But there's an alternative. We were able to copy MP3 files from the Mini to a second computer's hard drive in Windows by turning on "View hidden files and folders" and browsing the Mini's internal directories in My Computer until we found the music. Mac OS X users can do the same thing if they install TinkerTool.
The iPod Mini has no compatibility problems transporting data files between computers (Macs or PCs) when you activate the Enable Disk Use function. In this approach, the Mini mounts as a data drive, but it hides music files unless you use the above-described workaround.
The electronics responsible for sound reproduction in the Apple iPod Mini are identical to those found on the iPod, so you get the same impressive sound quality and loud maximum output (30mW per channel). The included earbuds sound good, but our Shure E3c test headphones made the sonics shine even more.| MB per second |
| Battery life in hours |
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stars 3 of 4 users found this review helpful
"Simply the best" By 6stringstrummer
Pros aesthetically pleasing, best design of all micro-hard drive mp3 players, awesome navigation, nice battery life, perfect size, clear screen, GREAT PRICE
Cons ear buds could be better, battery life a problem with someone that uses this a lot (and I do mean a lot)
Summary Overall, the 1st generation Apple iPod Mini 4 GB is simply the best. Not only does it look great to the eye, it also performs like a charm. The click wheel is purely the best navigation tool out on the market. There are no hidden buttons; thus there is a ... Expand full review
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Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Device type: Digital player
- Sound output mode: Stereo
- Weight: 3.7 oz
