Apple iPod (5GB version) 9/10 - Date Posted 08/06/2002

I got this iPod when it was just released in November 2001. I've used it nearly every day since then. Basically the iPod is an MP3 player. What's special about it is that holds upto 5 GB of MP3s (there is also a 10 GB version now), which is more than 1000 songs encoded as MP3s at 160 kBit/s. The hard drive is made by Toshiba and is quiet. There's a 32 MB buffer, which ensures that the hard disk only needs to be accessed every few songs. This conserves battery life, and also doesn't wear out the hard disk and make it run too hot. You can store other files on the iPod, but it's not recommended to make it a boot drive and over use it. However, this makes it useful as a backup device or for transfering files to another machine. Unsurprisingly the iPod is designed to work with Macs (although there is Windows software from a third-party company http://www.xplay.com which I haven't tried yet). It connects to your computer using the superfast Firewire interface. The iPod worked as soon as I connected it to my iMac, which I was expecting given that Apple have been trumpeting the ease of use of the iPod. I found that it transfered albums in seconds, so you can fill up the entire 5 GB in a few minutes. You can also load up WAVs, and provided they are smaller than 32 MB, they can be buffered entirely and you don't have to worry about making the hard disk too hot. I transfer tracks manually (because I have 7 GB of MP3s) but there is an option to auto-sync with your computer if you have less than 5 GB of MP3s. This automatically transfers MP3s on your computer that aren't already on the iPod.

The sound quality is superb with the bundled titanium headphones. Even when linked up through a hi-fi amplifier the sound quality is just as good (or perhaps better) than a Sound Blaster Live's attempt at MP3s! I often use it connected to my hi-fi. With so many songs, Apple designed a special scroll wheel, to scroll through songs, by artist name. To make customised playlists, you use iTunes (if you own a Mac) or Media Player (for PC) and transfer them to the iPod. Occasionally there are firmware updates which add functionality to your iPod, such as EQ.

Above are two more shots of the iPod. As you can see the shiny metal exterior looks fantastic. However, after a few weeks, it gets scratched and has fingerprints all over it. I have read on other websites that you can protect it from scratches, but frankly I don't care.. you buy an iPod to listen to it, not to look at it! The only problem with the iPod is the price. However, you should bear in mind that most of its competitors use large hard drives, and are much bigger.