Mini & 4G Reviewed

iPod Mini

Compact, cute, and colorful. The mini is perfect for those who don't have a huge music collection, for those who will only use it for music, and for those who don't mind having only a portion of their music with them. One adjective you did not read is costly. Many have criticized Apple for charging too much for the mini, but I disagree. They point that for fifty more dollars you can get 3 (now 5) times the storage. First, the iPod mini includes a belt clip, so now the disparity is another $20. Also, when the iPod mini first came out, the original iPod didn't have a USB 2.0 cable, so that would have been another $20. Not only that, but these same people will by $1-$1.19 for a 20oz bottle of pop when, for the same price, they could have bought a 2L bottle. Basic economics, more convienience means more cost to the manufacturer and more cost to the consumer. In short, the mini will be on many wish lists this year.

iPod 4G
With Apple's fourth generation of the iPod comes longer battery life, the click-wheel, and a slightly thinner design. Overall, these are welcome changes, but I'm one of the minority who still would prefer touch sensitive buttons of the 3G iPods. (Of course, I could just be saying this because I'm actually jealous I don't have the latest and greatest anymore.)