Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, silver)
Manufacturer: Apple Part number: MA426LL/A
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The second-generation Apple iPod Nano is like the successful offspring of an iPod Mini and a first-generation iPod Nano. It's small, stylish, user-friendly, and competitively priced--a great player all around and suitable for a variety of users.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | See Site | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/07/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, silver) price range: $299.99
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Edited by: James Kim
- Reviewed on: 09/13/2006
The good: The second-generation Apple iPod Nano takes on a new scratch-resistant aluminum body, which is available in a variety of bright and shiny colors; it's still superslender but more durable, thanks to a seamless construction. It supports photos (with thumbnail grid) and album art and has great sound quality.
The bad: The iPod Nano still doesn't play video, not that you'd want to watch it on the small screen, and there's no built-in FM tuner or recording capability; not all color options are available for all memory sizes.
The bottom line: The second-generation Apple iPod Nano is like the successful offspring of an iPod Mini and a first-generation iPod Nano. It's small, stylish, user-friendly, and competitively priced--a great player all around and suitable for a variety of users.
The second-generation (2G) Nano shuns simple white and steps out in a metallic color parade, with shiny silver available in the 2GB and 4GB flavors; bright pink, green, and blue offered in 4GB; and somber black taking the 8GB version. The body casing itself is rather like a minified Mini shell: it's seamless anodized aluminum, which means the 2G Nano is not only less scratch-prone than its predecessor, but also more durable in general. As with the old Nano, the 2G features the much praised iPod Clickwheel, which serves as the player's only controls (other than the hold switch on the top). Above the Clickwheel is the rather small (1.5-inch) color display, which is 40 percent brighter than that of its predecessor, and the bottom edge of the player houses the headphone jack and proprietary dock connector. A larger screen would have been a welcome improvement, but the benefit is the uniformity of screen size and overall dimensions (the 2G is just a hair thinner and taller than the previous Nano: 3.56 by 1.6 by 0.26 inches): all the made-for-Nano accessories should work fine with the new model.
As with other iPods, the 2G Nano is a snap to navigate, though the Clickwheel may take a little getting used to for first-time users, especially those used to other MP3 player controls. The Main Menu includes selections for Music, Photos, Extras, Settings, and Shuffle Songs--this last is particularly handy. Music is conveniently sorted by Playlists, Artists, Albums, and so on. And if you can't remember who a particular song or album falls under, you can use the new Search function (found in the Music submenu).
The 2G Nano is light on extras, though its small, excellently designed packaging includes all that you might need for basic use: a dock adapter, a USB cable for syncing/charging, a pair of white earbuds, and a quick-start guide. You'll have to download iTunes from the Web, since Apple doesn't include a disc in the box--a forgivable omission, considering that it cuts down on use of materials for packaging.
If you want to listen to FM radio on the Nano, you'll need to pick up Apple's $49 Radio Remote (or similar accessory). Similarly, recording features require a separate accessory, such as Belkin's TuneTalk. It'd be a nice surprise if Apple would include such features in an iPod, but at least it's nice that you have the option to add them. Features the Nano does have built in are photo viewing (with a neat 3x3 thumbnail preview grid) and album art support. Video playback is conspicuously absent, as many Nano competitors have it (the Creative Zen V Plus, iRiver Clix, and SanDisk Sansa e200 series, to name a few). But we're not sure we'd want to watch video on the tiny screen anyway. The 2G Nano is capable of gapless playback (finally!), but that must be designated in iTunes 7.
The latest version of iTunes is a nice improvement over version 6, and you can read more about it in the
We're pleased to note that Apple had a stab at the original Nano's rather paltry 12-hour battery life, doubling that rating to a respectable 24 hours. Turns out Apple was right on the money: CNET Labs coaxed 24.5 hours out of the player. As far as sound quality is concerned, we couldn't notice a difference between the old Nano and the 2G: it still sounds excellent across nearly all genres of music. Bass response could be tighter, and we didn't think the included earbuds sounded that great, but they're certainly passable (the design seems a bit more ergonomic than earlier ones). We had some mixed results with gapless playback--albums transferred from a Windows machine still had hiccups, while those from a Mac were seamless--but this is likely an iTunes issue, rather than a Nano one. Navigation was superspeedy, thanks to a fast processor, and photos loaded quickly.
The 2G Nano doesn't really bring anything new to the table in the fast-advancing world of MP3 players, but the improvements over the original are certainly welcome. This player is sure to be a top choice among a wide range of users, and it's a stellar option for first-timers. Just make sure you're aware that the same $249 for an 8GB Nano will get you a larger but video-capable 30GB iPod.
User reviews
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iPod finally hit the sweet spot...
by xylitol84 on November 26, 2006
Pros: excellent battery life, ease of usage, itunes is the main software used by everyone
Cons: no radio, could have inputed a video playback function as well
Summary: opinion from an honest person who has had ipod 2nd generation, ipod mini, ipod shuffle, ipod nano, ipod video and finally this ipod nano 2nd generation. (no, i'm not ...
Summary: opinion from an honest person who has had ipod 2nd generation, ipod mini, ipod shuffle, ipod nano, ipod video and finally this ipod nano 2nd generation. (no, i'm not showing off here please don't mistaken it) the ipod nano 2nd generation is a solid statement of what an ipod should be. it comes with a very stable interface and solid functions which you can always expect on an ipod and the battery life has finally been improved to meet the needs of an everyday persons. i bought this player since someone stole my ipod video and on an honest note here, i'm glad to say that i have a chance with this ipod for its size and functions.
if it's your first time trying out an ipod, this version is highly recommended for its looks, solid body built and excellent interface (which I am positive about 90% of mp3 users are already well acquainted with)
BUY THIS IF:
- you want an ipod/it is your first time with an ipod
- looking for a very light, well equiped mp3 player that will look good in any city, any place in the world
- need of an mp3 player that has solid battery life
- you are used to computer-hopping and bringing in songs from your friend, colleagues or just about any place
- use itunes as your main audio tool
- you are looking for a crazy number of accessories
Do NOT BUY if:
- need an mp3 with FM radio functions and video playback
- hate the layout of itunes and just about any mac software and hardware
- are thnking buying an mp3 player that does not have to follow trends on a regular basis
- want a mp3 player with a simple function of only drag and drop without the need of any extra software
hope this review helped
enjoy!
on an overall note, this is an excellent ipod which i highly recommend to anyone that is up on the fashion trends on both clothes and electronics and this ipod has finally hit the sweet spot.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I should have bought a bigger one
by abercedes on July 11, 2008
Pros: Small, Materials
Cons: Freezes up sometimes, doesn't always want to shut off.
Summary: I was never a fan of Apple, but I do like their design. I appreciate this is metal and not plastic. I enjoy that it is small too, however it ...
Summary: I was never a fan of Apple, but I do like their design. I appreciate this is metal and not plastic. I enjoy that it is small too, however it freezes up too often, and sometimes takes a couple tries to get it to shut off.
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Almost perfect ipod
by the.river on November 18, 2007
Pros: Perfect material, music almost sounds better, always sweet to touch
Cons: the 400 mb you cant have for music
Summary: I prefer the ipod better than any other mp3 player. It's the one that offer the best. Anyways, a good choice. And I must say i hate the fact ...
Summary: I prefer the ipod better than any other mp3 player. It's the one that offer the best. Anyways, a good choice. And I must say i hate the fact that they took off 400 mb on the 4 gb for the file storage and stuff. I'd like to store 1000 songs, not 631.
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It's Apple, It's an iPod, What Can I Say?
by bsmith89 on August 20, 2007
Pros: The usually suspects
Cons: Could have more features, iTunes
Summary: This is an iPod. It does what you would expect an iPod to do.
Summary: This is an iPod. It does what you would expect an iPod to do.
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Wonderful Technology
by Zelig504 on May 30, 2007
Pros: Small, Elegant, Sturdy, Reliable, Great Sound
Cons: Wish it had more memory
Summary: There aren't many technological advancements that work flawlessly right out of the box - it seems you have to perform work-arounds or install patches or just accept the fact ...
Summary: There aren't many technological advancements that work flawlessly right out of the box - it seems you have to perform work-arounds or install patches or just accept the fact that most technology just doesn't do all it should...but my Nano is definitely an exception.
Outside of the weak earbuds, I love this device and I use it constantly - plugged into the jack in my car's stereo or going to sleep with it every night. A wonderful item. -
Nearly Perfect
by Nathanial Wilson on May 25, 2007
Pros: Sleek looking, awesome interface, easy to use.
Cons: Mine has frozen a lot.
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wow..... amazing....
by mincor3456 on April 1, 2007
Pros: Excellent design, love the touch wheel, iTunes is the best!
Cons: still no features, except for extra prices
Summary: If you're only going to use it for music I would recomend this, if not well... ya can't if ou don't buy the extra hardware,
Still can'...Summary: If you're only going to use it for music I would recomend this, if not well... ya can't if ou don't buy the extra hardware,
Still can't beat iTunesUpdated
tiny tiny tiny! it's so small compared to the mini, but it still is missing the main components like radio recording, and maybe video, but if it had video it would probably be a ******* like the "regular" iPod (video) -
Apple got it right with this one.
by puckducker on October 21, 2006
Pros: Search option; brighter screen; better battery life
Cons: Some of the old Nano accessories don't fit well
Summary: The new Nano is a nice improvement to the previous version. First, the aluminum finish adds some much-needed durability. The screen is brighter so you can acually see some detail ...
Summary: The new Nano is a nice improvement to the previous version. First, the aluminum finish adds some much-needed durability. The screen is brighter so you can acually see some detail in the album artwork and you don't have to sprain your thumb scrolling through all your songs with the new search option. The earbuds are slightly better, too. I'm noticing that the accessories for the old Nano are not as good a fit, like certain armbands and those Nano tubes (guess you wouldn't need them). I don't mind shelling out some cash to protect my Nano, but would it have killed them to put one of those plastic sheets over the screen?!
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Wonderful Sound and Design
by andrews2104 on October 3, 2006
Pros: Size, Aluminum case, new earbuds, better battery life
Cons: Still high cost per gb, lack of cases
Summary: I had a mini that I loved and replaced it with the first Nano. I sold that one to buy the new one and I'm pleased with my trade ...
Summary: I had a mini that I loved and replaced it with the first Nano. I sold that one to buy the new one and I'm pleased with my trade up. The unit's new case gives me the security I didn't have with the first gen. And the sound does appear to be improved - posibly due to the better design of the new earbuds.
I don't bemoan the lack of Fm radio, voice recording etc. since I bought this to listen to music, books and podcasts. I try to avoid the radio and if I want those other features, I'd buy something specifically for that.
All told - elegant design, simple function control and durability. Oh and the battery life is greatly improved. -
Buzzing sound really annoying!, good device apart from this
by oakie6 on September 27, 2006
Pros: Whining and Buzzing Sound, Sharp Aluminum casing
Cons: Small, Light, Brigher Screen that 1st Gen
Summary: Cons
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I bought an 8GB Nano 2nd Gen for myself and a 4GB Nano 2nd Gen for my gf. Both of these nanos emit a high pitched noise, which ...Summary: Cons
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I bought an 8GB Nano 2nd Gen for myself and a 4GB Nano 2nd Gen for my gf. Both of these nanos emit a high pitched noise, which is really annoying to me!.
I suppose its a good thing if you loose your Ipod and you want to find it, it wouldn't be hard as all you would have to listen for is the whining noise .
But for me, i've had these devices 2 days and I am returning both for a refund and waiting for apple to fix this issue!!!.
Also the casing at the bottom has not been finished very well.
Pros
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Brigher Screen
Apart from this issue the Nano has search functionality.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Part number: MA426LL/A
- Description: Only 0.26 of an inch thin and 1.41 ounces light, iPod nano packs a lot into its diminutive design. A brighter color display. A dock connector that fits an entire ecosystem of iPod accessories. With features like these, iPod nano changes the way you experience your music and more. Finding and playing music on iPod nano is simple. Menu options let you browse by artist, composer, album, song, genre, or playlist. Want to mix things up? Click Shuffle Songs. iPod nano makes your music look as good as it sounds, thanks to a 1.5-inch color display. Album art appears alongside your song titles, so you see your music as you play it. And when you dare to wear iPod nano, that display guarantees you'll say a lot without saying a word. The iTunes Store features thousands of free podcasts - radio-type shows you subscribe to - including indie favorites and offerings from such big names as ABC News, Comedy Central, ESPN, PBS, NPR, and many more. Browse and subscribe to podcasts, then sync them to your iPod nano and listen anytime, anywhere. Podcasts appear in their own menu on your iPod nano, so you can navigate them easily. The digital shelves of the iTunes Store are stocked with thousands of audiobooks - including such exclusives as the entire Harry Potter series - so you can catch up on your reading wherever iPod nano takes you. Browse audiobooks in their own menu on your iPod nano. iPod nano automatically recognizes where you left off reading and bookmarks your place. You can even change the reading speed to suit you. iPod nano holds up to 25, 000 photos you can sync from your Mac or Windows PC via iTunes. Use the Click Wheel to scroll through photo thumbnails the same way you scroll through song titles. To see a photo full-screen, click the center button. You can even view photo slideshows, complete with music. Just select Slideshow Settings and choose the time between slides, the transition effect, and the music. Calendars, contacts, and the World Clock appear in the Extras menu, along with a few more handy items. Take the Screen Lock, for example. Spin the Click Wheel to choose a four-digit combination and protect your iPod nano from prying eyes. If you forget your combination, you can reset it at your next sync. Or use the built-in Stopwatch to log your best times. When it's finally time to play, iPod nano features four fun games: Music Quiz, Solitaire, Brick, and Parachute.
General
- Product type Digital player
- PC interface(s) supported USB
- Flash memory installed 4 GB Integrated
- Digital storage None
- Weight 1.4 oz
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 1.6 in x 0.3 in x 3.5 in
- Body material Anodized aluminum
- Color Silver
- Included accessories Docking station adapter
- iPod Generation 2G
Carrying Case
- Case type None
Digital Player / Recorder
- Supported digital audio standards AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless
- Playback modes Repeat all, One track repeat, Random play / shuffle
- Response bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Supported bit rate 16 - 320
- ID3 tags support Yes
- External hard drive function Yes
- Additional features Variable bit-rate compatible
Built-in Display
- Audio system built-in display LCD
- Diagonal size 1.5 in
- Resolution 176 x 132
- Backlight display Yes
- Display illumination color Blue-white
- Display menu language Czech, Dutch, Greek, Danish, French, German, Korean, Polish, English, Finnish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Japanese, Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional)
Audio Features
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Timer Wake, Sleep, Stopwatch
- Built-in clock Alarm, Timer, Digital clock
- Additional features Calendar, Date display, Built-in games, Volume limiter, Upgradeable firmware, USB 2.0 compatibility
Equalizer
- Equalizer factory preset qty 20
Remote Control
- Remote control None
Headphones
- Headphones type Binaural Ear-bud
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Response bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Impedance 32 Ohm
- Connectivity technology Wired
Connectivity
- Cable(s) included USB cable - External
- Connector type 1 x Headphones Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Docking station
Battery / Power
- Battery Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
- Mfr estimated battery life 24 hour(s)
- Recharge time 3 hour(s)
- Power device type None
System Requirements
- Peripheral / Interface devices USB port (compatible with 2.0 specification)
- Operating system Apple MacOS X 10.3.9 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later
Product series
-
Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, green)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 4 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, silver)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 4 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, blue)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 4 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB, pink)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 4 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 2GB, silver)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 2 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 8GB, black)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 8 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Apple iPod Nano (Product) Red (4GB)
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 4 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Digital player, 8 GB, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, Apple Lossless, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Apple
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Apple products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.apple.com
- Address:
One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014 - Phone: 1-408-996-1010
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