Apple iPod 10GB MP3 Player (Apple-M8976LLA)

Reviewed by: compcons

Strengths: Transfer speeds, iTunes software, ease of use, everything else.

Weaknesses: USB 2.0 cable or case not included. Battery life a bit short.

Overall: I love my iPod. The 10GB version is more than enough for me, as I only have 1.5GB of music. I use the iTunes software for purchasing and ripping into AAC and think the sound quality is great. Sure, I'm a bit worried about the proprietary file formats, but as long as the iPod and iTunes stay up to par, I'm happy. I don't have firewire, so I purchased the USB 2.0 cable, which is okay, but $19 is a bit steep. Battery life could be better (about 6-7 hours for me), but I can charge it daily without problems. Hooking it up to my laptop is easy. The device is very intuitive; I love the touch wheel to cotnrol it. The operation of the device seems very natural. I use a different pair of headphones (Sennheiser MX500 earbuds, or Koss KSC-50) but have tried the Apple standard ones and they are okay too. I think headphone remotes are pointless -- another thing to get in your way. And since I spent $30 on a nice case, I can clip the unit to my belt and adjust tracks/volume from there. This is my second digital audio player -- my first was a Samsung flash-based player. The obvious ease here is having one piece of software to handle downloading and computer playing as well as being able to put your entire collection in one place. If you are hesitating about buying it, just go and get it -- you'll love it once you try it!

Reviewed by: tlandheidi

Strengths: Very user-friendly, compact, lightweight, great sound fidelity, and lots of storage space.

Weaknesses: None.

Overall: This has to be the best MP-3 player out there! How can any other MP-3 compete with the iPod's user-friendliness, great sound, and incredible storage capacity, all in such a neat, compact, clean and lightweight package? I'm definitely impressed, and one happy customer.

Reviewed by: gregmorrow

Strengths: Great design, easy to use, compact

Weaknesses: had to buy a USB adaptor cord, expensive

Overall: The ipod is unparalleled for its great looks and convenience. I can't wait to put every CD I own onto something so small and easy to use. Unfortunately my PC didn't have a firewire connection so I had to buy the USB adaptor cord. Otherwise, I look forward to taking the ipod with me everywhere.

Reviewed by: salman1000

Strengths: 10 Gigabytes of Hard Drive--- AMAZING, it is more than some computers have total. Also the backlight is truly helpful in the dark and it is o small that you can just slip it in your pocket.

Weaknesses: Well, the 10gb does not come with a docking station or a remote. Also the battery life may not last as long as Apple claims it will.

Overall: Well, I bought my first iPod and it totally crashed on me and my PC--- it got to the point where it would not turn on. That was not good. But since I had just bought it, I went back to the store and replaced it. When I got my new one, it worked very well with my PC and iTunes recognized it right away. Now I have over 650 songs on my iPod and I still have around 7 gigs left. WOW!!! this truly is an amazing product and I would recommend it to anyone. This truly changes the way that music will be though to be played upon and it is just truly amazing. HIGHLY RECOMENDED--- and if you think you need more that 10 gigs, go for the 20 gb, it is only like $100 more-- may seem a lot but for 1/3 the price you double your memory. EXCELLENT AND TRULY REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCT!!!

Reviewed by: RockoisPower

Overall: (This review is edited from its original version, available at [ http://members.localnet.com/~kzilles/word/10.html ].)Appearance: 10/10 From the box to the iPod itself, it's all eye candy. Very nice appearance and design.Ease of Use: 9/10 The menus are straightforward and easy to use. There are only five buttons, and a scroll wheel. The scroll wheel proves to work well, once you figure it's oriented to go forward when you turn clockwise. PC Compatibility: 7.5/10 In order to use an iPod with most PCs, they make you buy extra equipment, which is a little annoying. Windows also seems to want to format it right away which might catch an unknowing user off guard, and the all the software that comes with it has to be installed with the iPod attached in order for it to work right. After all these problems are dealt with, the data transfer is fast and easy from iTunes. Features: 9.5/10 Features are pretty good. The equalizer presets and Sound Check proved helpful. And the backlight kicked arse. Battery and Charging: 1/10 My experience with the iPod battery ain't so hot. It died after five days, for no apparent reason besides plugging it in to charge. Indeed, a ridiculous life span for such an expensive product. Customer Service: 7.5/10 Customer Service wasn't all that bad. The hold lines didn't make me wait for a horribly long time, but it was a little silly that I had to go onto their site, just to get a phone number to contact them.