Replying to Nano Or Mini: Which iPod Should I Choose?

Once again, Apple has come up with a design that turns heads. Enter the iPod nano. But this was a relatively easy one for the designers, if not the engineers: They took the full-size iPod and made it really, really slim. We measured it at just 80 cents thick—that's 3 quarters and a nickel, or 0.27 inches for you traditionalists—by 5 dimes long (3.5 inches) by 2 pennies wide (1.6 inches). According to Apple, that's 62 percent smaller than the now-discontinued iPod mini the nano is replacing. It weighs just 1.5 ounces, and it really does fit in the smaller front pocket of your blue jeans without the slightest bulge. A few things changed—some compromises in the name of miniaturization and some actual improvements—but the end result is a spectacular product. Sure, it doesn't have an FM tuner or voice recording, but it does have an unsurpassed interface, a color screen, excellent sound quality, and an undeniable cool factor. Plus, it's flash-based, so you don't have to worry about skipping or dead hard drives.

We received the black model for testing, but we were slightly disappointed to find that the included stock Apple earbuds have retained their distinctive "mug-me" white. A nice touch is that the icon that showed up on our desktop was black. The iPod nano doesn't support syncing via FireWire; instead, a message comes up telling you to please use the included USB cable. It still charges via FireWire, though. Upon first connection, our 4GB model had 3.7GB available for storage, with the remaining space being used for system files. It took us only 1 minute 6 seconds to transfer 512MB of MP3 files via USB 2.0.(A 1GB model is also available for $149.)

One of the biggest additions for Microsoft Windows users is that the iPod nano syncs with Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express contacts and calendars (in addition to those from iCal, of course). We had absolutely no trouble doing so, and contacts are sortable by first or last name. Games include the same old Brick, Music Quiz, Parachute, and Solitaire. The stopwatch, however, is a very cool new feature, especially considering that the nano is ultratiny and flash-based—ideal for working out. It can record lap times as well, and then saves them along with a date and time stamp. When you go back and view your recorded times, it also shows you your shortest, longest, and average lap in addition to your total time and individual lap times. The iPod nano also boasts a world clock which displays the time in analog or digital. Another handy feature is being able to adjust the audiobook reading speed.

Apple added a security measure called Screen Lock, which is a graphical combination lock for which you create a 4-digit code. The click wheel provides just the right amount of sensitivity so you don't scroll through the numbers too fast. After you set the lock, you can still use the Play/Pause button but nothing else. Your code pops up on the screen each time you choose Turn Screen Lock On from the menu as a reminder; this is handy but doesn't provide particularly robust security.

Subjective sound quality is nearly identical to that of the final-generation iPod mini, which is to say, excellent. Music is clear, with very solid bass and crisp highs. The stock Apple earbuds perform adequately, though the player can definitely handle high-end headphones with aplomb (the plug of our Etymotic ER4P canalphones, however, is actually slightly wider than the player itself!). There are 22 preset listening modes, so we think most users won't miss a customizable equalizer. The bass booster provides enough extra depth for thundering bass such as that found in some electronic music, though we heard significant harmonic distortion on the low end that noticeably altered the music. But the sound is plenty good enough with the EQ off.

On our formal tests, the iPod nano actually outperformed the 6GB iPod mini, with a slightly cleaner signal and better response in the lowest octave than its predecessor. Our square-wave test also showed that the output stage is significantly stronger than the mini's when loaded with Apple's stock earbuds but not as strong as that of the iPod shuffle, which has a different type of output. Apple rates the battery life at 14 hours of continuous audio playback, and it can fast-charge to 80 percent in 1.5 hours.

Photos sync easily and quickly via iTunes; just select the iPod tab in Preferences, and then choose Photos. The 176-by-132-pixel 1.5-inch screen is about 0.2 inches smaller than the iPod mini's, but it gains color; photos look sharp and vivid, though we're still wishing for pan and zoom capabilities. Format support is still admirably broad, encompassing JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), and PNG. It can do slide shows with music, customizable slide times, and several different transitions.

Naturally, there are already a few accessories for the nano, including lanyard headphones (yes, it's wearable, via the headphone jack on the bottom of the device), a nano Dock, nano armbands, and nano Tubes (silicone cases). The cases are a good idea, as we've already covered our shiny new nano in fingerprints. And we're sure third parties will begin shipping other add-ons soon. Thankfully, the nano retains other iPod models' standard 30-pin dock connector, so it'll work with many existing accessories. It also ships with a plastic insert so you can use the nano with your existing iPod docks. Apple did not include any voice-recording features, however, so you won't be able to plug in third-party microphones. Nor will you be able to use add-ons that use the other iPods' 4-pin remote control connector, which is missing on the nano. (That means no remote, either.)

At $199 for the 2GB version and $249 for the 4GB version (both available in black or white), we feel that Apple has made an incredibly satisfying product. We were so impressed that we're awarding it our Editors' Choice award. Sure you can get a 20GB full-size iPod for $299, but the benefits of an extremely small size and no moving internal parts easily justify the price.
http://www.pcmag.com...,1857405,00.asp

um just curious what would be the argument on NOT Getting a nano??? I mean color, picutres, longer battery (I think), a decent size thinner, more features and like duh it's NEWER! plus yah I know people are worried oh the screen cracks easily apple has already agreed to change that for free if that happends to you

I have a mini and the scrren got scratched on that, I don't think that it can be easily prevented unless you buy a case for it. I recommend buying the nano, plus I like its clean interface.

Don't even get an apple product if you're going to do anything vigorous or active. I'm in Iraq right now, and there's a bunch of guys whose Ipod's don't work right because of dust or running alot. And I don't mean they're smashing the thing on the ground, it just doesn't work well in outside environments. Try a Creative Zen Micro (5GB). The guys who have it here have no problem with it.

id suggest waiting b/c the video ipod is just around the corner........

About the video IPOD, how does it works?
Does it has a camera?
If it does, how many Mega Pixel?
how much space available?
When will it be launch?

When the news said that IPOD nano has easy scratchable screen..what does it really mean?

Isn't all the ipod has the same quality screen protecting the LCD inside?

My opinion, Choose IPOD nano cos it is so cool man!!!!
Just have to take care of what you own

The Ipod Nano is the way to go because it is overall good and for the scratches, just get a case that can easily protect the Ipod without the need of taking it off everytinme you want to change a song or play a game. The Color screen also makes it alot easier to read in the dark. The games are a little hard to play on an Ipod but still are good. As i said the Ipod Nano is the way to go...its small sleek and has good features

wow, i dunno why you're even considering buying a mini, they're out of date now... I'm buying a Nano next month, i was considering a Creative Zen but a 4 Gig flash memory just bewildered me... so get the Nano!

I really don't understand the craze for something that holds 10,000 tracks. If I had the time and money to spend, filling up an MP3 player with that many tracks, I wouldn't.

If I were to buy one of them, it would be the Nano. The mini is suseptible to more damage, with it being a hard disk. Although, as pointed out, the memory can only be written to so many times, however, with room for so many tracks, who needs to overwrite any tracks?

If that's what you think, then go for it!

If you're willing to sacrifice that few gigs for a difference of $50, iPod nano will certainly satisfy your needs but iPod video should also be nice despite its screen size. And it should be more cost efficient in the long term. Like you said, money isn't an issue.

But the new Creative Zen Vision is worth checking out. My best friend just got it to replace his "old" first generation Creative Portable Media Centre. Looks like they learnt something about "fashion" icon from iPods. Just like the new Xbox 360.