iPod Nano Review

[triadone]

Ok, so it isn't my review, but I thought w/ the release of the Nano a review exmaining its durability would be in order. having had one in hand at the local Apple store, I too was curious about its durability. So here goes the link posted in another thread...

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/

I'd get one in a heartbeat, but i'm leaning towards a new vid card for my desktop right now. :(

[Xarthan]

i must say, the nano can take some ABUSE!

[eskimo_socks]

Thats really impressive, what I would be worried about is snapping it in half...

[triadone]

Thats really impressive, what I would be worried about is snapping it in half...possibly, but w/ the metal backing it's less of an issue. in any case, was just mulling over the "odd" placement of the headphone jack on the bottom. i'll make an argument for it. obviously w/ potential lanyard use it keeps the functions where they need to be when u flip it up to look at it. arguably, while not as 3rd-person-attractive to look at if it's upside down, it is functional to use whether it is strapped to your arm or on a belt-clip. i.e.-if u were reading a book, would u put it down and spin it around or would u leave it as is for when u pick it up and start reading again? u can technically tip a book away from u and continue to read from it right?

as i think about running and needing to hit the next button for the next tune, it seems more intuitive to have the controls "up-side-down" bc that's essentially how it looks when i have it in front of me. w/ using the clickwheel on the regular iPod in upright fashion like many gym ppl use it on armbands and bellt clips, u have to mentally reverse the forward and backward buttons as well as reverse your finger motion for changing the volume. if it's upside down, then for me at least, it's easier to maintain the mental map of how i need to interface w/ the equipment. not a huge issue, but something that jonathan ive and his crew likely had in mind. :)

[YinYang]

The nano is sooo cute!!!!!

[slapthemonkey55]

I got a Nano the first day they came out (gotta love working at Best Buy), and the thing rocks. Yes, it scratches easily, but other than that, I absolutely love it. The design of it is just stunning. Anybody considering one should definitely go for it.

[YinYang]

I read they were coming out with a new version? Anyone else heard this?

[solar_eclipse]

Once I sell my 20GB iPod, I'm gonna get it. I want a black one ^_^

[YinYang]

I read that some people are suing Apple for the bad screens.

[solar_eclipse]

Wow.. They need to calm down a bit. I'd think it would cost more to sue than get another iPod.

[MysticGolem]

This is what i have heard, about the Nano:
Fragile
Scratches Easily
Poor Screen
Not Durable Enough
Countless Complaints and returns, just wait for another couple of months
Ipods are released in Canada come about 1 year later than US.
New Nanos are being released, with bigger screen, more durability, Camera.
And as a Final comment Just like most Electronic gizmos, they will just end up sitting somewhere in your house and collect dust after you get bored with it =\.

I personaly have 2 cassette players, 2 portable radios, 1 MP3 CD player (Sony Walkman), Several little computerized calenders with calculators. My own VCR. And they are all just sitting and doing nothing, some are even in my garage =\.

Now one thing i do like about the nano (no i don't own one, nor do i want one), is the size and it's sleekness.

Also this whole Ipod thing seems to be just a FAD (trend) almost like the gay old Tomogotchi that we all wanted as kids but thank god i din't get one LOL!.
Of course the Ipods are nice and can be used alot more compared to the tomogotchi, but still you'll prolly get bored of it or something.

Also I think and find that its rude to be walking around school or something or even talking to people white a little wire going to your ear, if you know what i mean. We are in a place of education and business and I for one don't think its socially acceptable. However if you at the gym or in the library, cycling outside or stuff like that it is socially acceptable :D.

I go to the gym and i still don't use my Walkman, i used to but then i realized forget it, i just got bored with bringn it =\.

Well im done talking, sure there are gonna people critizing about this w/e.

Just FYI wait for the new NANo its gonna WAY better.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

[yuwing]

having a camera in the ipod? You wish!

it'll probrably come out as a 3rd party accessory or osmething that ulll have to pay $60 for a 1megapixel one that sucks out battery life like mad and make ur ipod like twice as thick or osmething lol. i'm sure that's what u want.

i'd buy the nano now, but i'd rather buy it when it was video.

[YinYang]

This is what i have heard, about the Nano:
Fragile
Scratches Easily
Poor Screen
Not Durable Enough
Countless Complaints and returns, just wait for another couple of months
Ipods are released in Canada come about 1 year later than US.
New Nanos are being released, with bigger screen, more durability, Camera.
And as a Final comment Just like most Electronic gizmos, they will just end up sitting somewhere in your house and collect dust after you get bored with it =\.

I personaly have 2 cassette players, 2 portable radios, 1 MP3 CD player (Sony Walkman), Several little computerized calenders with calculators. My own VCR. And they are all just sitting and doing nothing, some are even in my garage =\.

Now one thing i do like about the nano (no i don't own one, nor do i want one), is the size and it's sleekness.

Also this whole Ipod thing seems to be just a FAD (trend) almost like the gay old Tomogotchi that we all wanted as kids but thank god i din't get one LOL!.
Of course the Ipods are nice and can be used alot more compared to the tomogotchi, but still you'll prolly get bored of it or something.

Also I think and find that its rude to be walking around school or something or even talking to people white a little wire going to your ear, if you know what i mean. We are in a place of education and business and I for one don't think its socially acceptable. However if you at the gym or in the library, cycling outside or stuff like that it is socially acceptable :D.

I go to the gym and i still don't use my Walkman, i used to but then i realized forget it, i just got bored with bringn it =\.

Well im done talking, sure there are gonna people critizing about this w/e.

Just FYI wait for the new NANo its gonna WAY better.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

There was a website that reviewed the nanos durability & said it was very tough.

[YinYang]

having a camera in the ipod? You wish!

it'll probrably come out as a 3rd party accessory or osmething that ulll have to pay $60 for a 1megapixel one that sucks out battery life like mad and make ur ipod like twice as thick or osmething lol. i'm sure that's what u want.

i'd buy the nano now, but i'd rather buy it when it was video.

That's more like what the new cell phones are like.

[havocide]

yinyang that was arstechnica if i'm nt wrong... they only said the nano was tough in the sense that it was hard to make it totally non-functional... but it didn't say that it was hard to scratch...

[eskimo_socks]

I have one and love it, even if it scratches like crazy. Those people filing suit against apple haven't really got a case.

[YinYang]

I have one and love it, even if it scratches like crazy. Those people filing suit against apple haven't really got a case.

So is it scratching alot?

[eskimo_socks]

Yeah, they're just superficial, but they don't look great - but they certainly don't take away from the function of the device.

[YinYang]

Yeah, they're just superficial, but they don't look great - but they certainly don't take away from the function of the device.

Where do you keep it? Do you have a cover or something?

[havocide]

actually the scratches r more than superficial when they appear on the screen... mine had several... and it made the screen really unreadable since e light gets dispersed by the cracks

fortunately putting on a transparent clear film sort of made e scratches less apparent so now my screen is alrite

[YinYang]

actually the scratches r more than superficial when they appear on the screen... mine had several... and it made the screen really unreadable since e light gets dispersed by the cracks

fortunately putting on a transparent clear film sort of made e scratches less apparent so now my screen is alrite

What do you mean by "transparent clear film"? Like tape?

[2+2=4]

do you guys use any protective cases for your nanos? if you do what kind and any recommendations? i was thinking of an agent 18 clear case or something to that effect for the nano because i want to shield the screen. ive been reading various reviews and just want a little input from you guys.
i just want to have a little insurance in case something does happen to it.
thanks

[triadone]

i just got the contour isee nano clear case for my nano and really like it. looks like a competing product from dlo (http://dlo.com/Products/nanoshell_Prod.tpl?command=showpage&cart=11400352191167583) was just announced but on that one u can't remove the beltclip.

[2+2=4]

triadone, when you put the agent 18 on does it fit securely and does it even appear to be able to protect the nano in case something happens? also where did you but it from?

i was also looking at this steel/ some type of metal case with foam inside to absorb shock the only problem is, i cant find decent reviews for the thing. thanks for the input.

[triadone]

my bad, i got mixed up, i had been looking at the agent18 option and the contour option at the apple store, and decided on the Contour product. i just worried about the bottom popping off and i don't have a dock as i just use the USB port. the Contour does well, snug fit and the case covers everything except the click wheel which i don't mind.

[chode messiah]

i returned my nano. it looks sick, but after the scratches i didnt really like it. it really isn the best mp3 player quality wise. i dumped some extra cash for a creative instead. slightly above average player thats uber thin is what i think of the nano. i like the best possible sound i can get with as many features as possible. thats why i got the creatvie.

[2+2=4]

i keep reading about people who say their nanos get scratched, cm how did you scratch your nano, was it one of those random accidents? im generally careful with my electronics and the last time i ever damaged something was when i dropped a 5 lbs book on my ps2, the ps2 only had cosmetic damages but the disk got scratched. accidents do happen and i just want that exta level of protection.

ill probably go to the apple store to check out some cases, thanks for the input guys.

[chode messiah]

i keep reading about people who say their nanos get scratched, cm how did you scratch your nano, was it one of those random accidents? im generally careful with my electronics and the last time i ever damaged something was when i dropped a 5 lbs book on my ps2, the ps2 only had cosmetic damages but the disk got scratched. accidents do happen and i just want that exta level of protection.

ill probably go to the apple store to check out some cases, thanks for the input guys.
it scratched in apples standard sleeve. i have yet to see a scratch on my psp yet my nano was riddled with scratches.

[skytja]

I've had a black 4GB nano for 11 months now. The only problem I have is I'd like the battery to last longer, but what do you expect for something that small?

I kept it in the leather sleeve that comes with it for the first 3 months. I got a couple of scratches in it. not bad. I put a Speck Rubber armor on it, and it's been fine since. adds to the bulk and heft a little, but it works great.

No screen problems, no flakyness.

[skytja]

I liked the I-River HD-20 (If I remember the model right) better. 20 GB hdd-based player, handled .flac and .ogg files, sounded great, and had a long battery life. . . until I dropped it one time too many.

[BowevelJoe]

My roomate is rough with his toys and he had his practically unreadable in about a month. It may be "durable" but cosmetically its pretty terrible.. :(

[SteveMB]

My roomate is rough with his toys and he had his practically unreadable in about a month. It may be "durable" but cosmetically its pretty terrible.. :(
Instead of buying the Apple iPod nano, I bought some knock-off.