Product ReviewsApple iPod mini 1st Generation Blue (4 GB)

Almost like a new one

I got this to replace an old 2 GB Gen 1 iPod that was stolen out of my car. I thought for this price, even if it's junk it'll probably be better than the one I lost. I get it, and iTunes has to format it for Windows before I can use it. But then, it was like a brand new iPod. I've stored all my old music on it and still have tons of room for more. Now I can continue to get great sound with the 30-pin connectors in my cars. Thanks for such a quality piece!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: ctelect

Not usable at all

Although the iPod looks just fine, I tried charging up but the battery would not retain charge; accessing the iPod proved impossible on three of three computers I attempted to use (using the included usb cable and another I had available). The computers would not recognize the device. So — no sound, no power, nada!!! I have been had! Though, for $34 I guess I shouldn’t have expected much. But I have been very disappointed.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: decluttr_store

Good product. No problems so far.

Just got this item 3 days ago. Will review what I've noted so far.

Pros- Easy to use, good storage capacity, no technical problems, nice design, small/portable. Great iPod, for the year this came out.

Cons- Battery life only lasts 8 hours at most. Anytime I plug it into my computer (just to charge) it auto syncs even if I don't have iTunes open. Very susceptible to scratches (only had it 3 days and it's spent almost all that time in my pocket or in the bubble wrap it came in when I'm asleep (so the cats don't knock it off the table) and it's already got a small scratch on the track pad.. I cannot fathom how that got there, honestly. I think it just fabricated the scratch out of nowhere to irk me.

Bought this to listen to music on the go (obviously) and it certainly does the job. I am sharing it with my fiancee and with both of our music on it, only a little over half the memory is filled (341 songs taking up 1.9 gb out of 3.7 gb.)

The only comparison I can make is with a Sansa C250 which I had a few years ago. The Sansa decided after just a few weeks that it was going to sporadically format it's memory.. only it didn't quite do it right. All the music was not on the mp3 player, but it was still taking up the space. Even when I plugged it into my computer and looked through the files, the music wasn't anywhere. I tried formatting the thing myself, and it still didn't fix the problem. I also tried adding more music and couldn't.

This iPod is the first mp3 player I've got since then. So far it hasn't done anything strange on me (except fabricating a random scratch) and I'm hoping it won't. I've only had it three days though. If anything odd happens I'll update my review. Until then, I've had a good experience. I'd recommend this.Read full review...

The incredible, upgradable iPod Mini

The iPod Mini is essentially a smaller version of the classic iPod and thus is a great no-frills music player. But what makes it truly special is it's fairly easy to upgrade beyond factory specs by replacing the 4GB micro hard drive with a larger capacity compact flash memory card. Not only do you gain space for more music, you replace the fragile, spinning hard drive with robust solid state storage, which performs faster and uses less energy, thus increasing battery life. The best part is it's a direct replacement with no adapter needed. Put in a fresh battery while everything's apart and your iPod Mini is better than new.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Pretty good, heavy for size but durable

The size of these are really good for someone who likes to jog, or in my cases needed an extra cheaper iPOD for a car application. Still packing 4GB of music, you can do a good 1000 songs. The battery doesn't last long in the first generation Mini's, but this one seems to be doing fair. Only real dislikes are the weight. To be as small as it is, the Mini weighs significantly more than it's newer version "Nano". But, all in all, it's just what it says, a Mini Ipod. I haven't dropped it or banged it again anything, but this seem MUCH more durable than my newer 5th generation iPod.Read full review...

Ipod mini - Its a sure Winner!

But it's not just about looks - the iPod Mini sounds fantastic. After comparing it with my third-generation iPod, tracks definitely sounded clearer on the iPod Mini, as if it were capable of better frequency response. By comparison the 3G iPod sounded positively muffled. A sign of PortalPlayer's enhanced audio chip, perhaps.

The Mini's packaging is as lovely as ever. The box lid slides off to reveal the mini wrapped in plastic. The box underneath is split in two halves - one for the install discs and one for the headphones, USB cable and a belt holster. As with all the new iPods there's no Firewire cable, no dock, no remote - but they are available as optional extras. There's no AC adaptor either, so you can only charge when connected to the PC.

There are other missing features that might give pause for thought, such as a radio, recording function and microphone. But if it's just a player you want these absences won't be noticed. For me the only reason I wouldn't want one is that I do want to carry my entire music collection around with me. Or at least more of it than I could fit on a 6GB drive.

One day of course, a 20GB iPod will be this size, but for now six gigs is your limit. At this capacity it no longer loses out to the Zen Micro and H10, but while Creative and iRiver have both worked hard on improving the look and usability of their players, the Mini is still miles ahead. With its rounded sides and neat click-wheel interface, it feels right in you hand and is easy to control and use too.

Verdict
With the new iPod Mini, Apple has increased its capacity by a 50 per cent, battery-life by one-and-a-quarter times and improved sound quality. It's a pretty impressive triple whammy and as long as its capacity is large enough for you, the iPod Mini would be our recommended digital audio player.

jamieday83Read full review...

Apple iPod Mini

The iPod mini was good for when it came out, but the nano completely blows it away now.
Its very durable, the battery life is very good, and a nice amount of storage space.
If you want a cheap MP3 player that functions perfectly, then the mini is for you. Its easy to use also, everything about it is easy.
Only thing I disliked was the non-color screen, which isnt too much of a setback.Read full review...

iPod_ what is this? Why was this important to me?

My kids love this. At our home,every body except me and my wife have one or the other type of iPod. One day, I heard my wife asking our daughter to look one on eBay for her. Then, I too decided to enter into the iPod race and went a bit ahead of others. Other than this, bought two more. Now the fifth generation iPod_ has gone to my youngest daughter as a reward who taught me how to operate this toy_ actually a robust technology. I was totally illiterate when i won the bid. Kids decided because I am old, I should live with the old iPod_ first generation. The 4th G will probably go to my wife. As I learn more, the more curiosity I have for this super innovation. I am still enjoying the basic one and seeking the most advanced. Thank you Apple!Read full review...

Apple iPod Mini: Perfect Balance of Memory. Portability

Well good thing you are on eBay - because thats now the best and really the only place to buy iPod Minis. Now that Apple has forgone the iPod Mini series for the iPod Nano. Now that the Nano is getting all of the press attention for being the sexiest gadget ever - its hard to remember that just 12 - 18 months ago, the iPod Mini was in the same boat. And, for iPod Mini fans, thats good news because it means that the value of the Mini has decreased - effectively making them cheaper to buy on eBay as everyone else oogles at the Nano.

And I'm not 100% convinced that the Nano is better than the Mini. I believe it depends on what you are using it - the Mini is sturdier than the Nano - in fact, there are already blogs and reviews citing the Nano's lack of durability - something the Mini is great at. Of course, the give in that situation is that the Nano is lighter than the Mini... but remember - we are only talking ounces!

For the dollar, you get more music storage with the Mini than just about anything on the market - and all in a very light-wight MP3 player body. But again - it depends what you are looking for:

* If you want to a large music library - either for the office, the road or your home - the regular iPod is a better value and better idea

* If you are a gym-rat looking for the lightest MP3 player - perhaps you want a tiny flash player like the Rios, the Shuffle, or the Nano

But if you are looking for the perfect hybrid MP3 player - small enough to take a run with but spacious enough to play hours of unique music at the office - the iPod Mini really is the perfect solution. And of course it has the Apple interface and sexiness.

The minor points: with the second generation of the iPod Mini, Apple has improved the color scheme and really made them shinier and brighter. My preference is the Silver color - but beware that it will show scratches and nicks more so than the other colors. The Blue is bright, the pink quite girly, and the green look a little much like split pea soup for me =)Read full review...

Was sold an iPod with unstable battery.

The iiPod ehbitited strange battery behavior. I opened it up to find the battery was in the beginning stages of swelling. If I hadn't discovered this, it likely wouldnt have been long till it caught fire. I have now ordered a new battery and headphone jack (the connector broke off the jack in the course of opening the iPod). Rather disappointed about the battery, considering the product was sold as "fully functional".Read full review...

Great little device, perfect for all ages.

First off, this is actually a 2nd Gen. Biggest difference is battery life, and this one definitely has it. Didn't time it, but I was able to listen literally all day before needing to recharge.
Recently put RockBox on it, and functionality is even better. I actually like this better than my 4gb Shuffle which I bought new about 6 mos ago.
As a music player, the iPod Mini does its job perfectly. Big color touch screens are flashy, but don't mean the music sounds better. I actually think the sound is better out of this little Mini than it is from my iPod Video.
If you're looking for something that simply plays music, and plays it well, then the iPod Mini is perfect. Another perk is that it can be used with other iPod hardware like a speaker dock, or in my case, the iPod line-in for my car stereo.
I just ordered another one of these for my mom. Will put a review there after she tries it out.
These iPods are very hardy as well, probably better than the newer ones. This one had some nicks out of the bottom corners from being dropped, but it still plays fine, and the nicks are hardly noticeable. I figure this just saves me the trouble of dropping it myself, since that is usually the first thing I do with an electronic device, anyway. As it is, this has already tumbled out of my pocket several times, hit the floor, bounced, and kept right on playing. No skip or anything.
This would be a perfect first iPod for a young child. The controls are just like the click wheel on newer iPods. I would say any school-age child, or perhaps a very motivated pre-schooler. It would be a great way to keep their music organized, and off of your iPod. Unless you like to listen to Dora or Silly Songs on your own, that is...Read full review...