Apple - iPod Video White (30 GB) Media Player Review

I was hesitant to jump into the iPod revolution-- I am a hardcore PC guy, and have always had a deep-seeded loathing for Macs.  Some people are Mac people and some are PC people, and while I admitted that Macs were better for heavy graphics projects, they were never my bag.  For those who said Macs didn't crash-- well, I'm your guy for the job.  I've crashed many a Macintosh, including iBooks.

In any case, I ended up buying an iPod Video 30 Gig, Gen 5.5, because I finally saw the light of having a portable music device, and in comparing prices/specs/abilities/reviews, I saw a definite preference for the original iPod.  In addition, I was already using iTunes, so I figured it would be a good match.

The iPod, like the iPhone and iTunes, often has software upgrades/updates, which is certainly a nice feature-- they're easy to install and address known issues.  Having read some reviews that said that iPods crashed frequently (for a few users), I figured this might help.  Well, being the guy that can crash (or find bugs in) just about any piece of software, I can say that I have manged to crash my iPod several times.  In every case, however, a simple reboot did the trick-- and for me, the incidents were infrequent annoyances.  I must say, however, that since the last update to the iPod firmware, I have had fewer problems overall.

What can I say that hasn't been said?  It's STILL probably the best portable audio device out there-- great with a nice set of headphones (I prefer over-ear isolated phones), also great with a iHome type portable system (mine is an Altec Lansing), and great in the car, even hooked up low tech style (using a headphone to CASSETTE TAPE device).  Take your music and videos with you-- and now, games too.

Of course, now there's the next generation of these-- the new Nanos as well as the iPod Touch (basically an iPhone minus the phone).  Great screen resolution and everything else the iPod has.

The only drawback, which I was aware of, is the capability to damage the finish of the iPod.  Both the screen and the chrome back can be easily scratched.  Big deal-- buy yourself a nice $30 protector (mine has an awesome brushed metal face, with full protection for screen, buttons and body) and be done with it. 

Despite the infrequent crashes and the issues easily overcome with a protector, I love my iPod.