Apple MB261LL/A Best Price, Review, Compare
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Apple MB261LL/A Best Price, Review, Compare.
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Apple 4 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Silver (3rd Generation)
Apple's unique nano is designed to improve upon past models and add some functionality. The improved video, smaller thinner body and updated firmware are enough to perform it stand out. The slightly lower heed brand is also distinct to aid sell more units.
I assume most buyers will opt to rep the 8GB, considering it is only $50 more than the 4GB and actually makes the video function more usable. Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Blue (3rd Generation) Regardless, the recent nano is an improvement in any size.
Pros
+ Slight size - so thin!!!!
+ Nice compose - shorter, fatter accomplish factor for more reliability
+ Brushed aluminum front seems more durable than plastic composite of 2nd generation nano
+ Many color options - Silver, blue, green, sad, etc.
+ Brighter cover with better difference than previous generation
+ Broad video option is a nice to have for sample TV shows, clips, etc
+ Works with most stale iPod accessories (except primitive A/V cable)
+ Priced to sell! Lowest ticket Apple video gracious player
+ Lower note mark than 2nd Generation nano
+ Unlike iPod classic, all flash memory means less failures and breakage
+ Flash memory also awesome for running / working out
+ Slightly better sound quality than 2nd generation
+ Apple reputation is highly deserved
Cons
- 4 GB capacity is very exiguous for a video player and will require constant reloading via iTunes
- Recent 2GB Sail option provides a workout alternative at about 1/3 the price
- Original originate not ideal for very gigantic hands due to smaller click wheel
- Universal dock now required for video out (no more A/V cable)
- Slightly shorter battery life than other iPods
- No expandability or SD card slot like Sansa Understanding or Creative Zen
- iTunes software with little native formats (MP3, AAC)
- Coverflow calm buggy / slow
- Features built-in to competing players, like FM radio & narrate recording, worthy be bought as add-ons,
- Competing players now available at 16GB flash at similar body size
The Looks
Some people prefered the gen2 nano's longer body and larger click wheel. The longer nano was prone to bend (and sometimes demolish) when people assign them in their pocket and sat down or moved around. The smaller click-wheel can be awkward, particularly for those with mountainous hands. But it's a well-behaved trade-off for the smaller size and better durability.
Another change motivated by durability is the metal face. The conventional obvious composite face was a magnet for smudges and scratches. The current brushed metal face holds up nicer. Be warned though; it can chip and scratch, so salvage a cloak.
The Sound
Sound quality is not significantly improved from previous models. The itsy-bitsy improvements touted in Apple's marketing are exaggerated. However, let's be attractive to Apple here. MP3 and even CD audio have inherent sound quality limitations.
MP3 is a compression technology that does experience quality loss, however minimal. With a lower bitrate your MP3 files will lose more and more of the sound integrity from the unique recording. Combine that with the fact many people rip from sources that are not digitally mastered, and you would accumulate infamous sound quality with any plot.
Almost no MP3 players are actually designed for audiophiles / musicians / sound engineers; i.e., the people who could scream the contrast between ample sound and titanic sound. Fortunately, some of these devices are starting to reach onto the market.
Features and Software
Few novel features are powerful with this design. Changes in the components and software create the cloak brighter and allow you to do more things, including view videos and play games. Some complain there isn't enough memory for video. You can calm collect enough on here to explore one movie or fit some TV shows with your music. It's a nice extra even if these nanos don't have big memory.
The flash memory in this intention could have been a faster hurry. However, the main advantages of the flash player are smooth here: less risk of hardware failure associated with a hard disk drive player (better for running or working out) .
The plot does seem to have a shorter battery life than advertised. Perhaps because of the smaller body size Apple placed a smaller batter inside. As long as you sync and charge at night, it's ok. You are detached likely to glean a day's worth of expend from a beefy charge.
Apple's software is detached a weakness with very puny notify control over your way library and few native file options. All formats can be converted using iTunes or another software. You can convert radiant distinguished any file to the MP3, MP4, or AAC formats you need for iTunes. This will mean that those of us with other players will have to have 2 versions of our libraries on our computers, eating up hard-drive station. That's because there's no travel and plunge adding into the player, you have to add it to iTunes first and then sync.
However, most users have microscopic needs and will not seek if they are using MP3s. Apple hits the minimum compatibility needs of most of the market.
Coverflow is dinky more than a gimmick. It's composed buggy and covers tend to blank out if you scroll snappily. Veil art has been downloaded with previous software versions and most other video players, so the ability to scroll covers is not really a breakthrough.
Competitors Pros and Cons
Apple's devices are obviously more expensive than other players on a per gigabyte $ cost. In addition, the iPod tranquil has fewer built-in features than most competitive devices. It doesn't have a built-in FM radio tuner, content recorder, Bluetooth, WMA befriend, and an SD card expansion slot. Both the Creative Zen Creative Zen 4 GB MP3 Player (Gloomy) and the Sansa Idea SanDisk Sansa Concept 8 GB MP3 Player have micro SD slots, FM tuners and bellow recording components built in. Both are better priced. The Sansa Idea comes in a 16GB size for the same trace as the 8GB nano.
Still the iPod Nano beats both those players on size as the Creative Zen is grand thicker and the Sansa Concept is taller. Also support in mind that the Creative Zen has been somewhat buggy, and the Conception doesn't have as long a track describe only being released in November 2007.
The modern Sony players have finally abandoned their gain awful software, and now provide some wonderful competition to the iPod nano. In typical Sony fashion, they are priced unbiased as high as the nano. But they do have quality components and better sound quality. Sony NWZA816BLK 4GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Murky)
The recent 2 GB iPod Waddle, released in February 2008, probably provides the biggest competition if you don't care about video and your only exercise is working out. Apple iPod crawl 2 GB Silver (2nd Generation) For 1/3 the imprint, you earn a player with half the capacity that's designed for longer battery life and more active consume.
Conclusion
In the demolish, what the iPod nano does, it does very well. Apple really wins with sleek form and a wealth of accessories. This unit is no different. Not all docks and accessories work with the 3rd generation, but many do. And for that gargantuan number of users already using iTunes, spellbinding your music over to the nano is a snap.
Overall this design is an improvement. Apple's entry level video player will continue to be approved due to colossal features, acceptable pricing and the Apple trace.
Enjoy!!!
Apple iPod nano 8 GB Dark (3rd Generation)
This review is for the 8GB iPod Nano. All the reviews for the third generation Nanos have been combined by Amazon. While this unit is very similar to the 4GB iPod Nano Apple 4 GB iPod Nano (3rd Gen) there are enough differences that they each deserve a closer behold.
Choosing Among iPods
Overall, I would determine the 8 GB iPod Nano over the 4 GB nano and the 8 GB iPod Touch. This unit is priced lawful, and at only $50 more than the 4 GB unit it's a no brainer. Those who want to step up should eye to the 16 GB Apple iPod Touch 16 GB or 32 GB iPod Touch Apple iPod touch 32 GB. I have been lucky enough to live with all these players, so I hope this helps you determine.
Hopefully Apple will soon get a 16 GB or even a 32 GB Nano available. Only the iPod Touch currently sports those capacities. Till they offer larger sizes the 8GB is the biggest option. The cloak is exiguous, but the regular buttons and click wheel allow easier volume and track changes and better exercise on the go than the iPod Touch.
Some may resolve to pay an extra $100 more than this to step up to the 8 GB iPod Touch Apple iPod touch 8 GB with Software Upgrade. The extra features of the Touch are awesome. The high overhead of the Touch software gives you 6 to 6.5 GB of useable region out of those 8 GB. That is objective not enough to clarify the higher impress.
Comparing to Competing Players - Features and Concerns
The iPod Nano tranquil has less features than most competitive devices. It doesn't have a built-in FM radio tuner, teach recorder, bluetooth, WMA abet, or an expansion slot. More and more users ask those features. Both the thicker Creative Zen Creative Zen 8 GB (Dismal) and the taller Sansa ViewSanDisk Sansa Opinion 8 GB MP3 Player include most of those features. They both also now arrive in 16GB and 32GB capacities.
The Creative Zen does have slightly better sound and file version aid. But its native software is even worse and the company has acquired a reputation for high failure rates. Conversely, the Sansa Conception is perhaps the best value but the video hide and sound quality is less elegant than either two. Perhaps the unusual Sansa Fuze may have more improvements, but we'll have to wait and peek SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player (Silver) .
Of course the growing Zune population gets wireless sharing and syncing Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player Dismal (2nd Generation) . But Zune's shroud is also less beautiful for video and the method has other issues. So I would detached determine the Nano over the Zune.
Perhaps the best unusual competitor is the 800 series Sony MP3 player Sony NWZA818BLK 8GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Dark) . For years, Sony devices suffered from proprietary audio formats and both annoying and unethical software limitations. Sony has finally given in to MP3 format, though I'm positive they will try to sneak in DRM at every turn. Surprisingly, even though Apple is the definite market leader Sony's has almost overpriced their units. While expensive, they do have the durable metal body like Nanos. And in terms of sound quality, I would say they are fair as apt if not slightly better. I honest don't consumers should pay them a premium.
The Sound
Sound quality has been slightly improved. Apple has a grand better reputation and lower failure rates than music players marketed on high fidelity sound. Quality components and jacks peaceful matters. But there is tranquil no player on the market today that can truly claim hi-fi sound.
Some technical limits develop it very difficult to bag lossless sound out of any plan regardless of source file. Lower bitrates acquire your MP3 files lose more and more sound integrity, and even CDs have quality limits, which are even lower if they are not digitally mastered.
The Looks
Apple shortened the body and added a brushed metal face for durability. There was a previous Nano version with a rounded metal face. Then they tried the positive composite plastic face that so easily scratched and smudged. The benefit collected has the sparkling aluminum surface customary on most iPods that is known for attracting fingerprints. The brushed metal face holds up better, but you collected need a screen.
The mask is smallish, though I would argue serene adequate. But the thin body alone allows this player to overcome having less features than many competing players. Apple does lose points for the smaller click-wheel being awkward for those with mammoth hands.
Features
The ability to peruse videos and play games is colossal. With the 8 GB capacity you can level-headed rep enough on here for a flight. That's the main advantage over the 4GB model. Watching videos will carve battery life to about 5 hours though.
Apple's software gives you slight reveal control over your music and few file options. For people like me with multiple players, it's harder to manage your music library with multiple copies. iTunes is superb enough for most users. You can easily convert and import your files, but it's an annoying extra step.
Cover-flow level-headed underperforms on the Nano versus the iPod Touch. To me it's not a deal-breaker with the nano's valid buttons. You smooth have the advantages of a flash-based player.
Conclusion
Apple's nice stamp, sleek manufacture and a wealth of accessories overcome any missing features or annoying software limits. Unless you can afford a 16 or 32 GB iPod Touch or put a question to some of the missing features offered by the competition, go with this iPod Nano 8 GB and don't spy serve.
Enjoy!
So last night I picked up my first Ipod, got a Dim 8 GB Nano. Gay I waited for the modern "full" version. A few months succor I bought my sister a Nano as a gift so comparing the "slim" Nano to the "paunchy" video Nano I like the one better, the extra width helps me fill onto the player better.
My one caution is this: with the recent coverflow feature you need to be very careful how you organize your music, spent a radiant amount of time last night getting that sorted out. If any of the designate information on any song(s) is off from the rest of the album it will execute multiple albums in coverflow, also not having any album art for any music becomes annoying in coverflow. So my advice is; invent clear you're meticulous on how you organize in iTunes. I did gape a few times that the coverflow artwork did capture a second to load the image as I was scrolling, but this seems to go away after a few times.
The "split" conceal from the menu that randomly shows some of your album art is very frosty, since the half conceal can't expose a whole album camouflage it pans across the album art randomly, the conceal that is note is random as well.
Very chilly.
Last item, some people will rant about how the 8 GB Nano is on $50 bucks less than the 80 GB Classic. Remember its hard drive vs. flash memory, as I tend to be active and disappear around a lot and notion to exercise the Nano while at the gym I wanted the stability of flash memory. to me comparing the two is like comparing a dump truck to a sports car, you may want one or the other at a given time so it's really up to choose what is notable, capacity or portability?
