Apple 15 GB iPod (M8946LL/A, April 2003 Version)
[Archived in $300 - $400, Apple Computer, Audio, Products, iPod]
Manufacturer: Apple Computer
Price at amazon.com: $358.99This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.
- Discontinued by manufacturer, replaced by model #M9244LL/A
- Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
- Equipped with a range of built-in utilities and games
- More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
- Features redesigned and backlit navigation; includes earbud headphones, AC adapter, FireWire cable, 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire adapter
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Comment: A wonderful experience Rating:
Last week I received my new 15Gb iPod (for Windows). It has turned out to be everything I expected. It's wonderful to have all your music in one place and be able to carry it around. The sound quality is great.
My only disappointment was with the Tunecast FM tuner thing that Belkin sells (via Apple). It only broadcasts on 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7 and here in SF they are all full. Also, the sound quality was terrible. .... The direct line-out from the dock into my home amplifier also gives very good sound quality.
Like several people here I had some problems with Musicmatch, which is a very un-Apple like piece of bloatware, so I am using ephpod, which is free, looks like Apple software, and works flawlessly (after some tinkering).
I did hit a few snags during the installation, so here are a few tips to get you going once you get your iPod:
1. First install all the software from the CD that comes with the iPod. This also configures the iPod. I used an Orange Micro firewire card for my laptop.
2. Then uninstall Musicmatch, using the Windows Control Panel. Don't forget to uninstall the Musicmatch iPod plug-in as well.
3. Get Ephpod from www.ephpod.com and install it. It's free.
4. Make sure your iPod is fully charged (takes about two hours).
5. Plug your iPod into a firewire port and start ephpod.
6. Go through the wizard and find your iPod (it was drive G: in my case)
7. Use the config button to select which directory holds your music (My Music in most cases).
8. Hit the synch button.
If ephpod crashes halfway through your first synching operation, reboot your computer and change the cache to 512k in the ephpod configuration menu (advanced options). I also clicked the Windows API thing (no idea what that does, but someone recommended it). After that it worked smoothly. Took about 15 minutes to download over 2000 songs.
One thing to remember: when you change tags in ephpod's menu it only changes them on the iPod. Synching afterwards will create duplicates, because the unchanged songs on your hard disk will be loaded onto the iPod in addition to the songs you changed. So you should either make sure all your tags are good before you synch the first time or just download single directories after your first synch. (All of this sounds more complicated than it is in reality).
Don't forget: make sure the iPod is fully charged. Downloading all your music takes a lot of energy and you don't want the iPod to die in the middle of your first synch, which is going to be far longer than any subsequent ones.
Finally, if the iPod does die just uninstall everything and reinstall using the original Apple CD. It only takes 10 minutes or so. Don't forget to uninstall Musicmatch!
Enjoy!
Comment: new iPods are still hot. Rating:
I'm not sure what the previous poster was thinking... His review did not mention ever having ANY experience with the new iPod in any way... moreover, he is basing his judgment of Apple support. on the happenings in one Apple discussion forum...
That is in no way indicative of the support that Apple provides for the iPod. I've had my 1st generation iPod serviced and replaced, and I can say from first hand experience that the Apple support staff was helpful along the entire process, and actually LISTENED to my concerns. Moreover, when time came to send it back for service, Apple had record turn around time... 4 days and i had my iPod back. I've never had such fast and responsive support on any product like the iPod...
The new iPods represent an evolution of an excellent design... the new one is thinner (almost by half) than my original iPod, and lighter. In addition, the new iPod has great new features, and AAC audio playback for higher than MP3 or WMA quality audio files, plus support for the iTunes Music Store. On top of all that, the iPod now work completely cross platform... One device can hook into both Macs and PCs and sync with one or the other, or be a firewire hard drive for both. The iPod is better than ever.
Comment: good, but there's better out there Rating:
I just recently got an ipod with my 2003 Beetle. I must agree with one of my fellow reviewers that it is a bit of a nightmare for windows users. I have to take my ipod to work with me just to put music on the thing. As far as playing music the ipod does an excellent job, everything that the ipod promises it performs. Not to mention how CUTE it is. An ipod is a great investment if you are a music lover.
Posted at November 11, 2003 06:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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