Apple iPod Mini

[techfreak]

Ok, so who has purchased an Apple iPod Mini and what do you think about it? Is it worth the price and has Apple improved anything over the regular iPod, or is it simply smaller?

[Archon]

I think the iPod mini is the worst idea since greedo shooting first.

Don't even bother.

[jfila]

Originally posted by Archon
I think the iPod mini is the worst idea since greedo shooting first.

Haw haw! Good one.

I'm still on the fence about it - nice and small and 4gb is good enough for a few car trips and working out - but still no FM tuner, and $249 is too much.

[dang]

You can buy a creattive muvo (4GB) for $200 or less. Might as well get that instead. My company bought one for my team and It's pretty small and solid feeling.

[techfreak]

Originally posted by dang
You can buy a creattive muvo (4GB) for $200 or less. Might as well get that instead. My company bought one for my team and It's pretty small and solid feeling.

I would never buy Creative products, their company stinks and so do their quality.

[Archon]

http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/iGP-100.asp ?

You know, just because you've had a bad experience with Creative, doesnt mean all their stuff sucks ass, I've read quite a few good reviews about the Muvo2

...just wish DT would go review it! grr! and my iHP-120! grrr!!!

[ECA]

Its not that DT wont review it.
Its if someone HAS it.
Its IF the company will let them use one to evaluate.
Or IF DT has to BUY one.

DT isnt paid for an eval, and I LIKE THAT.
DT can be critical of alot of things, and its best to be that way.
Any product that dont have Pro's and CON's should be looked at VERY hard, because everything has them.

[discosoap]

Hello ,

i am jos, and i am living in europe (holland).
i want to buy an apple ipod mini, there's only
one problem ; no shipping to holland because
of the great demand in the states!!!! (as you
probably all know).

Question: can anyone help me by telling me how
to get an ipod mini shipped to holland
before the release in july ?? (i checked
out ebay but i am not going to pay $350 for it)

many thanx for your help and tips !!!

greetings from holland ;-)

jos

[neuroking]

Just FYI - I was literally at the last page of the order confirmation to just now for an iPod Mini. Then I saw the estimated ship date, which they try to hide in the smallest possible font at the bottom of the page:

6 weeks.

Screw that. There'll probably be another company introducing another player and shipping it before them. If not, then I'll order one when the ship time is < 1 week.

Yet more proof that Apple is a stupid company when it comes to anything other than interface.

ps- IF I get one, and review it, they will be docked a point for stupid business decisions.

[ECA]

Originally posted by neuroking
Just FYI - I was literally at the last page of the order confirmation to just now for an iPod Mini. Then I saw the estimated ship date, which they try to hide in the smallest possible font at the bottom of the page:

6 weeks.

Screw that. There'll probably be another company introducing another player and shipping it before them. If not, then I'll order one when the ship time is < 1 week.

Yet more proof that Apple is a stupid company when it comes to anything other than interface.

ps- IF I get one, and review it, they will be docked a point for stupid business decisions.


LMAO....REALLY...WHEN did they EVER have a GOOD business decision? going to Linux was the only one I saw.

[theguy]

It's a waste of money right now.......

[TheWretched]

It seems that I am the first one to actually respond to this thread who owns a mini. This is also my first post (welcome me people!).

When I finally got the mini (which took ~two monthes) I was overjoyed. It had a sleek, compact design, everything that apple told me it had. I got the armband, big mistake for anything but jogging (I work out, but the headphone's cord gets caught on just about anything it can). After about month I realised that a case would be a very good idea.

The body is very similiar to the larger brother, although I'm not sure about the click-wheel. It got stuck a couple of times but nothing serious. It can take a few seconds to boot up if you have not used it for a few days, the more music you have on it the longer it seems.

But lately the battery DIED. I really realised it this morning, while before I would listen to one CD and then, a day or less later 0 battery life. Well today I unplugged it, choose my song and the "out of batteries, please connect to a power source" message came up and it died on me. I plan to get a refund a buy a flash player (muro, maybe).

But don't let me bring you down. The only reason that I want to get a different player instead of a new mini is just because I don't like having too much music, to be limited in my choices (you might understand once you get one).

I will keep you updated as too how my return works.

[Ioman]

First of welcome to the Designtechnica forums!

Its a bummer that you are having issues with your iPod mini, it seems like everyone who has bought one has been very happy with it.

Out of curiousty, why would you choose a no-name player like the Muro over other players? This company is not known that well and there has been little information posted on the net about this company.

[theguy]

mac never switched to linux.......they built mac OSX off of UNIX...

[ECA]

Originally posted by theguy
mac never switched to linux.......they built mac OSX off of UNIX...

So, OsX and Linux are brothers.
I also heard that afew of the drivers for Linux work under OsX.
And that afew progs under Linux can be ported over.
Wow, Close brothers.

[neuroking]

Welsome theWretched! Hrm, that really doesn't sound like a cheery welcome with that screen name. :)

I'm with Ian. Get a decent flash player, like an iRiver. I just got an iFP-395t (512MB), and love it, well, mostly. Besides being USB1.1 and no playlist support, it's great, esp sound quality. After iRiver, I would recommend Creative.

I think it's safe to say that anything on the major electronics sites you see posted in forums about anything Muro is probably a company employee that is thread dumping.

[theguy]

Linux is not UNIX buddy, maybe some of it's similar, but the original comment was apple switched to linux, which they didnt is all im saying.....

[dang]

Actually..isn't OS X using the mach kernel, which is based of BSD?

[TheWretched]

I was looking at the irivers, but it's 400 for the gb (and I have to have the best!).

Seriously, I think that I will wait a bit and if the Muro dosn't get much more credible feedback I'll get an iriver (taking a look at the creatives now).

@ Ioman: if you caught me two weeks ago you would have got a rave review, it worked perfectly for a few monthes. And I just like the Muro's features (projecting your music onto an FM channel, controlling the speed of the music as I am a guitar player, the rechargable memory ect.).

[Ioman]

Originally posted by TheWretched
I was looking at the irivers, but it's 400 for the gb (and I have to have the best!).

Seriously, I think that I will wait a bit and if the Muro dosn't get much more credible feedback I'll get an iriver (taking a look at the creatives now).

@ Ioman: if you caught me two weeks ago you would have got a rave review, it worked perfectly for a few monthes. And I just like the Muro's features (projecting your music onto an FM channel, controlling the speed of the music as I am a guitar player, the rechargable memory ect.).

That Muro does sound like it has some fantastic features. It would be cool if the company sent us one to review. I would like to see how it compares to the other players I am reviewing.

[jfila]

I'm a big proponent of PocketPCs instead of mp3 players. Check out Dell's new Axim's released today.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

That and a 1GB MMC will not only give you a good amount of audio, but also video, email, wireless web and much more.

[ECA]

Originally posted by jfila
I'm a big proponent of PocketPCs instead of mp3 players. Check out Dell's new Axim's released today.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

That and a 1GB MMC will not only give you a good amount of audio, but also video, email, wireless web and much more.

I agree,
And the price difference isnt that much.

[TheWretched]

I was looking at the Axims and...

A 1GB mmc is gonna cost me $250, and thats WAY too much just for a fairly small harddrive (I don't think I can get much video on that, but it's acceptable). I looked into different options and found two 512MB for $200, better.

A few questions, keep in mind that I am totally new to the flash players:

Whats the difference between MMC and secure digital?

Is there a lower cost option for the cards?

How does the internet work? Do I need a wireless connection or can I accsess from anywhere?

Hows the video quality?

And whats the SDIO Now! card?

Thanks

[ECA]

Check prices at Provantage.com....

[TheWretched]

OK...
The prices are even HIGHER than the ones I just quoted...

Does compact flash work for the Axims?

[ECA]

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/vanity/axim?c=us&l=en&s=gen

Integrated CompactFlash® (CF) Type II and Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard slots to add storage or wireless communication cards (Axim X5)

[TheWretched]

I think I got it now...

The difference between MMC and Secure digital cards is minor, they both go into the same slot.

Compact flash works with the Axim X5, but not with the new X30's. I want the X30's because of the internet connection (which I have to buy a SDIO Now! card to use, and have a wireless connection). The memory on the X30's is going to cost me a bundle because the smaller MMC and secure digital cost more than compact flash.

So now some new questions:
How much does speed matter on a pocket PC? It will cost me $100 extra to upgrade to 624 MHz from 312 MHz.

Whats the video quality like? Will there be delays if I play movies, will it take a long time to load or skip?

Thanks

[ECA]

MMC and SD are slightly different..
ALSO, if you look hard SD cards are DEVICES ALSO... such as your network interface, and SD stands for secure digital for a reason,, you can Encode your device so no-one can use it with out and SD card. If you can find them.(from what I have heard)

Still like the X5, good price and options.

Speed is dependant on USE...
Games need speed.
Spread sheets need RAM.
word processing needs RAM
Some data transfer needs Speed.
Video display Needs RAM and speed. Depending on display size and what format.

[ECA]

Integrated CompactFlash® (CF) Type II and Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard slots to add storage or wireless communication cards (Axim X5)


I would contact them on this Statement... See how to make wireless.... You may pay as much as the X30, but you would have both worlds..

[Fewtion]

I am looking to buy a Apple Ipod.. but i need to no the Recording Capabilities of it. Like can it record a meeting can anyone help me!

[ECA]

http://netgear.com/products/prod_details.php?prodID=142
hers one....

[TheWretched]

CompactFlash is ALOT cheaper than MMC and secure digital, so the X5 seems top on my list for now.

But I am not sure about the internet options. The lead the X30 has on the X5 is the expandablity to Bluetooth. Is Bluetooth really worth the extra money that I am going to spend on the memory?

[ECA]

Blue tooth can be neet.
Mostly for the KB and mouse, but its expencive. And considering the size of the Axim, how close are you going to be to view it? Might as well have the physically connected kb.

[TheWretched]

So the X5 is in the lead (only $135 for 1GB Compact Flash card, WOOT!).

I was wondering if there is any games for the Axims, and if they are any good.

Is there any (pocket PC) alternative to the Axims?

And thanks ECA, you've been a big help.

[ECA]

ya, lots... of other pocket PC's.
And yes on the games. But not like those on a desktop.

Just do a search for those, and also check there website as they may give links.
HP is known for there Pocket PC's, check on the Blackberry(its also a cellphone)

[TheWretched]

Looked at the Blackberry and I don't think it's expandible.

And HP is just a more expensive X30, roughly the same specs, no CF ($50 more expensive).

Found a few game sites, looks pretty cool. X5 it is, I think.

EDIT:
Is the OS on the X5 a little outdated? The X30's has 2003 second edition, while the X5 has Microsoft Pocket PC premium. Any major changes/flaws?

[ECA]

Sad to say, I dont have one/either/any of these.
I cant say.

[TheWretched]

Im off to Dell's Axim forums, that way I can get definitive answers from unfriendly people that rarely post. Anyways I led this thread WAY OT, sorry about that.

Thanks

[ECA]

well it was fun...
Good luck..

[ECA]

Also there should be a CF card thats a camera, and lots of other devices out there.

[pugshots]

from ipod mini to axims to CF cards. since we are on the subject, does anyone know about seagate's ST1 1-inch 5gb cards? dont know what is the retail price for it, but somehow its avaible in the rio carbon and the new muvo fm in asia

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/portable_av/0,39033456,39074380p,00.htm

[ECA]

5gb..NICE...
But WILL it work in devices that DIDNT know about it...1 year ago.
Many devices that SAY 512 meg, may NOT take the 1 gb cards...
Even a 1gb card is expancive compared to 2x512meg.
At 1gb you are getting over 6-12 hours of music...

[ipodcity]

i think its worth the price because of the ease of use, software and # of accessories you can buy for it. idk if apple changed anything on it except the size,weight, and colors

[ECA]

Ipodcity,
Quit Spamming...

[neuroking]

Thought I'd chime in here on the pda vs stand alone mp3 player.

I thought using an pda as an mp3 player was a good idea until I tried it. My Clie lasts 3-4 days per charge with normal usage. I ran through the battery in 3 horus playing mp3s. Plus, I can't use it for the pda functions in that state, so I'm out music + everything else. PDAs are not meant for long access time to the cf slot.

I would be interested in seeing someone with a newer Axim testing this out. Any takers?

[ModestMouse13]

It is such a waste of money. 1,000 songs for 250 bucks when i could get a dell dj 20 GB for the same price