Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51103 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Apple
• Model: M9244B/A
• Released on: 2003-09-18
• Dimensions: .35 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
The super-slim iPod once again redefines what a digital music player should be. At 158 grams it's lighter than two CDs, can hold up to 5,000 songs, and downloads music at blazing speeds. Now you can take your entire music collection with you wherever you go. Smaller than ever (just 0.62 inches thick), this iPod fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and slips easily into your pocket. And yet the iPod gives you a huge 20 GB hard drive--that's space enough to store two weeks of music played continuously, 24/7--or one new song a day for well over 13 years.

Once again, Apple turns the portable digital music player market on its ear with hassle-free functionality and stunning, well-considered design that place iPod far ahead of the curve and the competition. The new iPod has been re-engineered with an all-touch interface for enhanced durability and sensitivity. With an LCD screen and buttons that feature a backlight for clear visibility in low-light conditions, iPod is designed for easy one-handed operation. So the best way to take an entire music collection anywhere is now even better.

The 20 GB iPod model comes with a dock that makes charging and syncing easier than ever--no more reaching around, looking for the right port. An elegant, convenient home base for iPod on a desk or connected to a home stereo system, the dock provides syncing via FireWire or USB 2.0 (Syncing with USB 2.0 (Windows-only) requires optional USB 2.0 + FireWire), charging via FireWire and audio line out for connecting to powered speakers or a stereo system.

Designed to give you the best portable digital music experience ever, the iPod delivers the highest sound quality from input to output. iPod supports the most popular audio formats, including MP3 (up to 320 kbps), MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR) and WAV, giving you access to a wide range of audio file types. And iPod is the only portable digital music player that supports the AAC format (Mac-only), which features CD-quality audio in smaller file sizes than MP3, so that even more songs fit on your iPod.

The iPod now lets you do a whole lot more in addition to maintaining your contacts, calendar and to-do lists. iPod now includes Solitaire, Brick and Parachute, three great games you can play anywhere (a feature you're sure to appreciate the next time you're standing in a queue or waiting for someone). You can even use your own music as the soundtrack to a game.

iPod also includes a notes reader that lets you download text-based information and read it on the screen. This way you can have the information you need, on everything from restaurant reviews to nightlife guides, and from news articles to exercise routines, at your fingertips.

The iPod features a sleep timer, so you can fall asleep to your music. And with the iPod's new alarm clock, you can choose either an alarm tone or your favourite music to wake you up.

The new iPod was designed for listening to digital music away from your computer, whether it's a Mac or Windows PC. One simple connection does it all. A handy new dock connector on the bottom of the iPod enables the device to link to a computer and sync files via FireWire 400 (Mac or Windows) or USB 2.0 (Windows only). The result? Blazingly fast transfer speeds that let you load an album in as little as 10 seconds.

For Mac users, iPod comes with iTunes 4. iTunes 4 supports ripping music into the new AAC format which combines pristine CD-quality sound with smaller files sizes, compared to MP3s. And iTunes 4 lets you share and stream playlists from your personal music library to up to three other Macintosh computers for personal use. Mac requirements are: Apple computer with built-in FireWire port; Mac OS X v10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X 10.2 or later recommended); CD includes iTunes(7) for Mac OS X.

For Windows users, iPod includes the award-winning PC media player MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus. As you add new songs or rearrange your playlists in MUSICMATCH Jukebox, the music will automatically update on iPod the next time it's connected to your PC. Windows requirements are: PC with built-in FireWire or USB 2.04, or Windows-certified FireWire or USB 2.0 card; Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP Home or Professional; CD includes MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus 7.5 software.

The 20 GB model comes with a wired remote control that lets you fast-forward or rewind a track, play, pause and adjust volume, using just one hand. Additionally, it includes an elegant carrying case with belt clip that protects your iPod from the elements. Clip it to your belt, purse or backpack for hands-free operation.

The iPod's earbud-style headphones offer a strong 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency response range for high-quality sound with minimal distortion. Thanks to their Neodymium drivers, these headphones are five times more powerful than digital music player headphones that use aluminium, cobalt or ceramic drivers.

Manufacturer's Description
The super-slim iPod once again redefines what a digital music player should be. At 158 grams it's lighter than two CDs, can hold up to 5,000 songs, and downloads music at blazing speeds. Now you can take your entire music collection with you wherever you go. Smaller than ever (just 0.62 inches thick), this iPod fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and slips easily into your pocket. And yet the iPod gives you a huge 20 GB hard drive--that's space enough to store two weeks of music played continuously, 24/7--or one new song a day for well over 13 years.

Once again, Apple turns the portable digital music player market on its ear with hassle-free functionality and stunning, well-considered design that place iPod far ahead of the curve and the competition. The new iPod has been re-engineered with an all-touch interface for enhanced durability and sensitivity. With an LCD screen and buttons that feature a backlight for clear visibility in low-light conditions, iPod is designed for easy one-handed operation. So the best way to take an entire music collection anywhere is now even better.

The 20 GB iPod model comes with a dock that makes charging and syncing easier than ever--no more reaching around, looking for the right port. An elegant, convenient home base for iPod on a desk or connected to a home stereo system, the dock provides syncing via FireWire or USB 2.0 (Syncing with USB 2.0 (Windows-only) requires optional USB 2.0 + FireWire), charging via FireWire and audio line out for connecting to powered speakers or a stereo system.

Designed to give you the best portable digital music experience ever, the iPod delivers the highest sound quality from input to output. iPod supports the most popular audio formats, including MP3 (up to 320 kbps), MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR) and WAV, giving you access to a wide range of audio file types. And iPod is the only portable digital music player that supports the AAC format (Mac-only), which features CD-quality audio in smaller file sizes than MP3, so that even more songs fit on your iPod.

The iPod now lets you do a whole lot more in addition to maintaining your contacts, calendar and to-do lists. iPod now includes Solitaire, Brick and Parachute, three great games you can play anywhere (a feature you're sure to appreciate the next time you're standing in a queue or waiting for someone). You can even use your own music as the soundtrack to a game.

iPod also includes a notes reader that lets you download text-based information and read it on the screen. This way you can have the information you need, on everything from restaurant reviews to nightlife guides, and from news articles to exercise routines, at your fingertips.

The iPod features a sleep timer, so you can fall asleep to your music. And with the iPod's new alarm clock, you can choose either an alarm tone or your favourite music to wake you up.

The new iPod was designed for listening to digital music away from your computer, whether it's a Mac or Windows PC. One simple connection does it all. A handy new dock connector on the bottom of the iPod enables the device to link to a computer and sync files via FireWire 400 (Mac or Windows) or USB 2.0 (Windows only). The result? Blazingly fast transfer speeds that let you load an album in as little as 10 seconds.

For Mac users, iPod comes with iTunes 4. iTunes 4 supports ripping music into the new AAC format which combines pristine CD-quality sound with smaller files sizes, compared to MP3s. And iTunes 4 lets you share and stream playlists from your personal music library to up to three other Macintosh computers for personal use. Mac requirements are: Apple computer with built-in FireWire port; Mac OS X v10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X 10.2 or later recommended); CD includes iTunes(7) for Mac OS X.

For Windows users, iPod includes the award-winning PC media player MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus. As you add new songs or rearrange your playlists in MUSICMATCH Jukebox, the music will automatically update on iPod the next time it's connected to your PC. Windows requirements are: PC with built-in FireWire or USB 2.04, or Windows-certified FireWire or USB 2.0 card; Windows 2000 or Windows XP Home or Professional; CD includes MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus 7.5 software.

The 20 GB model comes with a wired remote control that lets you fast-forward or rewind a track, play, pause and adjust volume, using just one hand. Additionally, it includes an elegant carrying case with belt clip that protects your iPod from the elements. Clip it to your belt, purse or backpack for hands-free operation.

The iPod's earbud-style headphones offer a strong 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency response range for high-quality sound with minimal distortion. Thanks to their Neodymium drivers, these headphones are five times more powerful than digital music player headphones that use aluminium, cobalt or ceramic drivers.

Box contains

• Apple iPod
• Apple in-ear headphones plus spare foam-covers
• iPod remote control
• iPod carry case with belt clip
• iPod docking station
• Power adaptor/charger
• Dock connector to Firewire cable
• 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adaptor
• Manual
• CD-ROM featuring iPod software for Mac & Windows

Customer Reviews

Good but could be better
Let me start by saying I love my iPod, it is simply the best portable player I have ever had without exception and I can't imagine being without it now. I have to admit though to being a little disapointed when I first recieved it as my expectations were a little higher than the little box was able to deliver.

First off, the battery life - I thinks it's about 4 hours not the advertised 8 and not even 6 that most of my mates seem to estimate - and as the battery is installed within there's only one choice which means lots of recharging just to make sure it doesn't fail me when I need it. The other dissapointment is the difficulty in downloading legal music for it with iTunes not being available here yet - I also travel internationaly a lot so having a longer battery life for those long flights and be able to download tunes on the road would be a real bonus!

Those aspects aside this is still a great buy - it's easy to use, seems to work whatever I do (especially out jogging) and I maanged to import about 2,000 songs from my CD's within a couple of days of owning it as the software is dead easy to use. Probably the best feature is the ease at which you can build play-lists, I have them made up for different types of activities (like the gym) which is just fantastic!!

Coolest thing on the planet !
I have to admit I was a little sceptical - 200GBP plus for a MP3-type music player? But once you get this thing working it is just so cool: a thing of beauty. After 2 months using with a laptop PC (not Mac) it has absolutely lived up to all expectations. My experiences/advice:

1. I bought the 20GB because you get the 'dock' (cradle) and cover/carrycase included - worth the little extra. The case is worth it since some complain of the iPod scratching. The dock also has a 'line out' so you can connect it to your full size stereo if you want to!

2. Buy a USB cable at the same time (see later). Transfer speeds are fast enough, and whose laptop PC has a Firewire port? Not mine.

3. 20GB actually has 18.5GB storage for songs (the rest must be the driver software or something) - but this is still loads of space so no worries! To date the iPod contains 63 albums = 1000 songs = 3.4GB so you'll get 300+ CDs or 5000+ songs on a 20GB unit.

3. Windows software supplied on the CD with the iPod didn't work correctly when first installed - but since I was connected to the net at the time of setting up, I was prompted to download updated version (4.2) of iTunes. Once this was installed, it worked fine. The songs are stored in Apple's AAC format even on the Windows PC (i.e. not MP3). I haven't compared directly to MP3 but the sound quality is very impressive.

4. Easy to use and relatively quick (compared to a previous MP3 player I had) - after initial software installation I transferred my first 6 CDs to PC and then onto iPod, all of this taking just under an hour.

5. Transfer speeds: songs transfer from CD to PC at 10x playing speed (i.e. a 1 hour CD takes 6 mins) and then transfer from PC to iPod takes about 5 secs per song using USB cable.

6. Battery life: There seems to be lots of discussion about this. My experience it that it's working fine. I had one concern - after charging, the battery indicator didn't immediately show full. But I found that when running the iPod immediately after charging, the battery indicator gradually corrects itself (i.e. moves from empty/part to full) over the first couple of mins of use. From then the estimate of 8 hours playing time is about right in my experience. Apple website suggests tips to maximise battery duration but they're pretty basic (e.g. just let it play, don't skip from song to song, don't use backlight etc). I have no complaints about battery life. Just charge it up at the end of the day - it charges up pretty quickly (1½ hr for 80% charge, 4 hrs for full charge).

Overall, I'm very happy with it. Very cool, beautifully styled and very tactile, a feel of quality (even down to the serial number being etched in tiny letters on the polished metal back panel). Expensive maybe, but worth every penny.

Best MP3 player out there (if you're not on a budget)...
I've been listening to MP3's on portable players since the Diamond 32MB. I'm an absolute music junkie and use these players to get me to (and keep me in) the gym everyday. The iPod (of which I've owned 2 previous models) is hands down the best portable on the market.

What should be of concern to those in the market for this player are two things:

1. Price to Value: This is a 20GB player, your average song size is somewhere near 3MB at 128kbps playback quality (very good for headphones), that means this little guy can hold somewhere near 7,000 songs!!!! If you have even half that many tracks I'll bet the RIAA is staking your house out right now (look for snipers on your neighbors roof). I have the 10GB player (but i've bought a 20GB and a 40GB for friends) and it's way more than enough for my songs. Also, keep in mind that although the difference isn't huge, there is a noticable weight increase as you go up in GB size.

2. Battery life: You may not be aware of this, but there is some consumer litigation going on between iPod users and Apple. They claim that the battery on the iPod is engineered to die within 1.5 years (and they don't replace). The battery on my 5GB player died before 1 year. When that happened, I took it back to my computer retailer and they gave me full credit towards the purchase of an upgrade. Well, when I went in to buy another player as a gift, turns out that program has been discontinued. I'll bet it's because these things were coming back so much for that reason. There is an interesting article on Popular Science that shows you how to change the battery (not for engineering neophytes or anyone that doesn't want to void the warranty), and even a reference in that article of a service that'll do it for you.

So, if you're rich, consider the 20 or 40GB, a year and a half of high quality enjoyment may be enough. If your like most everyone though, consider the much lower priced 5 or 10GB.

Once you're an owner, check out the Apple owned iTunes site (this sounds like a commercial but...). They work phenomenal together.

I have a PC, if you do to, make sure you buy the PC version. Also, it's much easier if your PC has a Firewire port (kind of like a USB port but wider and shorter). If it doesn't, and you're not computer savvy, you might want to avoid iPod (as painful as that is to say) because you'll have to get a special card for insertion into your computer (not that easy to do).

Daily use is great. The keys themselves are heat sensitive, which is cool (no pun..), but can be a pain when you get the song you want, go to put in your pants, and accidently touch a key. Other than that, flawless. Very intuitive buttons, very intuitive menu, and beautiful looks.

Well, hope this was helpful.