CNET Editor's rating: 8.3 out of 10
Reviewed by
James Kim
Review date: 09/13/05
Release date: 09/07/05
The good: The iPod Nano has a gorgeous, superslim design with a bright, photo-friendly screen. It is easy to operate and works seamlessly with iTunes and the iTunes Music Store, which has the world's largest selection of music. It boasts a nimble processor and system performance with no skipping, thanks to flash memory.
The bad: The iPod Nano suffers from unspectacular battery life, and though the device is durable, it scratches easily; blemishes show up more drastically on the black version. The Nano is pricey in terms of gigabytes per dollar, and its 4GB maximum capacity is not a good fit for many power users. The player skips many sought-after extra features such as FM radio and A/V-out, and it doesn't work with Camera Connector. The USB power adapter ($29) is not included.
The bottom line: Thanks to its limited capacity, the gorgeous iPod Nano isn't for everybody, but it sets the standard for MP3 players to come.
Just when you thought Apple's standard iPod was overly saturating the public consciousness, Steve Jobs and company pull another beauty from the company's bushel. The Apple iPod Nano sets new standards for gadget design and stretches the boundaries of technology. It's the world's first 4GB flash player, yet it's also one of the thinnest. Plus, it boasts a bright color screen that takes advantage of the bigger iPod's photo capabilities, though be aware that the Nano's screen scratches easily. Throw in some ancillary improvements, and you have not only the latest MP3 player phenom but a glance into the future. The flash-based Nano (the name is curiously similar to the Creative Zen Nano Plus's) comes in classic white or black and three capacities: 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB at $149, $199 and $249, respectively. It also replaces the current popular iPod Mini line.
Intro:
The Apple iPod Nano is a 2 GB, flash player.Compared to other flash MP3 players on the market, it is expensive at around $145.
Noteworthy Features:
None noted, given available product data.
Weaker Features:
None noted, given available product data.
Suitability:
A flash MP3 player, suited for bringing quite a few songs with you.Funkify your listening experience with the white and blue backlit display on this player.Comes with equalizer presets to easily maximize your listening experience.According to the manufacturer this player will last approximately 14 hour(s) between charges; your run-time will vary based on use and power management configuration.Comes with a 1 year warranty, which is standard in the industry.
Value:
In general, this MP3 player's features are as expected for this price.
Suggestions:
Audiophiles may wish to buy aftermarket headphones for better sound reproduction.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Elegant, but very careful with scratches!
I've just upgraded from the ipod mini (1st gen) to the nano 4GB. I was hoping for a color ...
I've just upgraded from the ipod mini (1st gen) to the nano 4GB. I was hoping for a color screen and got that, in a smaller than expected package. Beautiful! Elegant! All the features we're used to plus the color screen. Unlike the mini, though, this unit scratches extremely easily. Be carefule how you clean it, or you could end up scratching it. I highly recommend putting a screen protector on it. I just ordered some skins to protect it, and now I'm waiting for the armband. I decided to go with skins instead of the tubes because I could use the arm band with the skins on, therefore maintain the nano well protected. If you use teh tunes, I think you would have to take the nano out of the tube in order to use the armband. As long as you are aware of the possibility of scratching it, then you can take the proper precaustions. Aside from that, my only complain is the lack of accessories. However, that will get "cured" with time. Overall, highly recommended.
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by dzandez (see profile) -
September 15, 2005
8 out of 10 - Excellent I have been converted to IPod
First of all, this thing is absolutely beautiful. Aesthetically, Apple is on it's own level. The size of this ...
First of all, this thing is absolutely beautiful. Aesthetically, Apple is on it's own level. The size of this is truely amazing. Great for putting in a shirt pocket, arm band, neck band. I almost want headphones with a shorter cable as storing the headphones is in terms of size significant compared to this unit.
The sound quality is great. It doesn't have EQ functions as nice as some others, but frankly its not needed. With the included earbud unit the sound is good enough, spend a few bucks and get a good set and it's incredible. The screen quality is great. Really clear and big enough to not have to squint. The navigation control is great as it is on all other IPods. The integration wiht Itunes is awesome. I had a WMA player and used it with MediaPlayer 10 and there is absolutely no comparison. Down side. The placement of the headphone jack, while good for the lanyard headset that Apple sells, is aweful for all else. If you put this on a stand to charge, you won't be able to plug in the headset. Of course, one of things that kept me away from IPods is the proprietary battery. My WMA player used a AA battery. It lasted 42 hours as well which is much more than the 14-20 that is expected here. With the AA's, I bought two NIMH rechargeables and never had a problem. I hope that the battery in this thing is better than what they had in the first mini's. Also an FM tuner would be nice at this price, but not necessary. You can put 2 days worth of music on here, it's like you have a radio station. Overall, I love this thing. I think the price is fair. Because of the relatively short battery life, I couldn't justify paying for the 4GB model. This thing doesn't have enough juice to play 2GB. I was waiting for Apple to come out with a good flash player before switching to IPod/Itunes. I am glad I waited, this is almost perfect.
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by mannybonline (see profile) -
September 10, 2005
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Could have been better
I gave up my older 15GB iPod after getting this one. Kind of wish I had kept it as a ...
I gave up my older 15GB iPod after getting this one. Kind of wish I had kept it as a backup. My nano is on its second trip to Apple for repair. The first was due to an intermittent issue while selecting songs via the click wheel. Mine would sometimes shut completely off and start over. Apple could not duplicate the problem, although they did manage to add more scratches to the front. I wish they had not removed the firewire capability on their new iPods. I've found it to always be more reliable than USB 2. It would have also been nice to have a backlight adjustment for nightime viewing. The screen puts out enough light that I can read a book.
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by andydg (see profile) -
November 12, 2005
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
5 out of 10 - Average Innovative, but poor quality player
The good: This is the nicest flash-based player I've seen, but not the best I've used. It looks ...
The good: This is the nicest flash-based player I've seen, but not the best I've used. It looks and feels incredible in your hand (extremely lightweight, small, and the build quality is pretty good) The color screen is beautiful, and the quality of photos is exceptional despite the small size. The click wheel is still my favorite method of control among all of the mp3 players I've owned. The best part about this player is that it's flash based, and therefore has no moving parts. This means no skipping of songs and no broken hard drives.
The bad: As mentioned by almost everyone, this thing scratches very easily so a case is absolutely necessary if you wish to be able to read the screen. Even after being extremely careful with it, my Nano still has a number of scratches on the body. Trying to wipe off fingerprints with my shirt caused scratches on the screen =(.
This player is rated at 14hrs battery life, which alone is very very low for a flash based player with a lithium ion battery. However, if you even turn the backlight on a few times per hour you drain the battery quickly. I average 3-5 hours on a full charge, which is, in my opinion, unacceptable.
I know 'actual formatted capacity may vary,' but my 2gb Nano has just under 1.8gb space on it. That's 10 percent difference, which equates to almost 50 songs.
Lastly, and most importantly, is that this unit (like most iPods) has mediocre sound quality with terrible bass. If you are satisfied with the headphones the unit comes with, then the sound quality of it will suffice. If, however, you have a high end pair of headphones or earphones you will most likely be disappointed with the sound quality of this unit. If sound quality is important to you, as it is to me, Cowon makes products with terrific sound quality.
Final word: The iPod Nano is an achievement in size and capacity, but falls short in the important categories of battery life and sound quality.
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by kaldaim (see profile) -
October 27, 2005
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good iPod nano is great, but too expensive!
I love the iPod, and I really want one, but it's just too expensive! Besides, it has no FM ...
I love the iPod, and I really want one, but it's just too expensive! Besides, it has no FM Tuner, No voice recording, no WMA... You can get an mp3 player that's just as good with all of those features and more for the less money. I guess people just get sucked into the ipod craze!
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by Puppy_lover1011 (see profile) -
October 16, 2005
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect best ipod ever no hard drive so no skipping songs!!!!
this is the best mp3 player in the world. the sound is the best that ive ever herd. the color ...
this is the best mp3 player in the world. the sound is the best that ive ever herd. the color screen has vivid colors, has a screen lock so then if you dont want other people using it its great, has for contacts, and even has a calander. the bad is that if you are going to purchase it you need to buy the warranty because the battery cost $50 and usually you need to change it every year and if you are going to buy the warranty buy it either at bestbuy the 2 yr or compusa!!!
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by mihaman1 (see profile) -
September 14, 2005
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Poor bass, I felt wasted my $250
I had iriver mp3 for awhile then after this pretty ipod showed up I bought it right away, compare with ...
I had iriver mp3 for awhile then after this pretty ipod showed up I bought it right away, compare with my iriver and my friend's mini ipod this nano's sound quality is really ok, especially the bass output is almost none even with my $50 Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia Headphones. No matter how I adjust it, it just doest make me happy at all. Spent $250 for something just alright is kind of sucks.
Updated At the moment I connect my nano with the usb to my pc, the screen lighted up as usually then just freeze like that never change, I couldn?t do anything because it was like a dead fish, no response but lighted screen. So I wait about 2 hours till the battery dead then I finally could restart it and charge the battery.... it?s time to return this thing.
Updated At the moment I connect my nano with the usb to my pc, the screen lighted up as usually then just freeze like that never change, I couldn?t do anything because it was like a dead fish, no response but lighted screen. So I wait about 2 hours till the battery dead then I finally could restart it and charge the battery.... it?s time to return this thing.
Updated At the moment I connect my nano with the usb to my pc, the screen lighted up as usually then just freeze like that never change, I couldn?t do anything because it was like a dead fish, no response but lighted screen. So I wait about 2 hours till the battery dead then I finally could restart it and charge the battery.... it?s time to return this thing.
2 out of 10 - Terrible Screen easily scratched / cracked
Watch yourself on this one. I bought the nano a week ago and the screen is already scratched multiple times. ...
Watch yourself on this one. I bought the nano a week ago and the screen is already scratched multiple times. There is a class action lawsuit because of this issue, it was on the news last night. The screen becomes so scratched up it becomes unreadable and in some cases it is cracking from the inside. It can scratch just wiping it with a paper towel! Just do a web search and you will see the problems it has been having. You have been warned.
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by skidkid22 (see profile) -
October 31, 2005
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre ipod=hype..................... ...........
yes i fell into the hype and went and bought a ipod nano! i gotta say if u get this ...
yes i fell into the hype and went and bought a ipod nano! i gotta say if u get this get ready to hang urself!I took it back in less then 2 dayZ!
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by Greg465 (see profile) -
October 21, 2005
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 out of 10 - Abysmal Horrible!!!
This iPod is not better than the Mini. It is too flimsy, and the click wheel is too sensitive. Also, ...
This iPod is not better than the Mini. It is too flimsy, and the click wheel is too sensitive. Also, even Apple says they have problems with the LCD!
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by Yasha I (see profile) -
September 28, 2005
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