Apple iPod - 30GB - Black [video playback] MA146B/A

There are lots of MP3 players on the market, but no company except Apple has managed to perfectly unite the software (e.g. iTunes) with the hardware (e.g. iPod). Even when another company manages to deliver a piece of hardware almost as good as the iPod (e.g. Zen Vision M), they still haven't got the software right. Microsoft can't get the software right, Creative can't get the software right, and Sony certainly can't get the software right! So I gave up, and went with the only company that actually KNOWS what they're doing; Apple.

For a long time now I've been clinging onto Windows Media Player 10, but there are so many things it can't do. You can't subscribe to Podcasts with it. You can't print out a list of your Library. You can't buy music that easily. And the Sync feature really doesn't work that well. iTunes, on the other hand, does all of these things and more.

So my advice to anyone considering buying an iPod is to download iTunes today (it's FREE). Start organising your music collection with it, start making Playlists with it, subscribe to some FREE Podcasts with it, and master it. Once you've done all of that, the iPod part is easy. Simply connect your iPod and everything in iTunes is automatically Synced (transferred) to it. You literally don't have to touch a button. Just make the connection, and it does EVERYTHING itself. Fantastic.


30gb Black iPod   January 8, 2006
Mr. P. J. Nickalls (England)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Good Points:
- Huge storage capacity - stores music, photos, videos, audiobooks etc
- Looks very cool - better then the white version
- Largest screen to date - very crisp and sharp
- Sound is of very high quality

Bad Points:
- Easily scratched - mine hasn't scratched yet because I am extremely careful but it could be easily done
- Battery life not huge, if you are watching videos 1.5 hours max
- Headphones and accesories are white not black!
- No radio or microphone

What's in the box?
- iPod
- Earbud headphones
- USB 2.0 cable
- Dock adapter for use with Universal Dock
- Case (white)
- Quick Start guide (leaflet)
- CD with iTunes for Mac and Windows and features guide

For free laser engraving on your iPod go to the official website for UK customers at: http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore?iPodStore=yes

Conclusion
Extremely good mp3 player with good quality sound and screen. If you want an mp3 player to just play music on don't buy this but if you are looking for a multimedia centre with a huge storage capacity get it!