APPLE 2 GB iPod shuffle - blue (3rd generation)

 

 

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I've long thought about buying an iPod, but the price always held me back. When Apple recently lowered the price of the shuffle, I jumped. But I did spend a little extra and buy the 2 GB model. I mean, for $20 more, who wouldn't?

This model actually allows you to input 1.89 Gigs of music. Why the difference? Because the iPod needs some space for the software. Depending on the size of the songs, that translates to roughly 500 songs. The first time around, I got 498 songs on it, and I had three 11 minutes song included. I just reloaded and got 528 songs on. I did use a different computer (although it had to erase everything because it only connects with one computer at a time), but it looked like it grabbed shorter songs this time.

The iPod comes with everything you need to get started. You've got the device itself, the ear bud headphones, and the docking device. You use this device to connect your iPod to your computer. While connected, you can load songs from iTunes and charge the device.

And that's one of the weaknesses of the device (and Apple in general). You can only load songs from their music player. Fortunately, anyone can download iTunes from Apple for free, so that isn't an issue. But it would be nice if it worked with other programs. Additionally, you must plug it into a computer to charge it.

Loading songs is pretty straight forward. You can either create a play list for it to load or have it load up random songs.

The device is small and lightweight. But what I love is the build in clip that allows you to attach it to any article of clothing. I bought it mainly to use while running or working out. It's perfect for that. Just clip it and forget about it. And, at half an ounce, it is so lightweight you don't even notice it.

The controls are well laid out and easy and obvious to use.

My biggest complaint is one I knew I would have before I bought it. If you've put one song on the iPod and decide that is the one you really want to hear, good luck finding it. There is no screen. You can tell it to play in shuffle or in playlist order. But you have to skip tons of songs to find the one you want.

The battery lasts about 12 hours. And with 500 songs, you get over 30 hours of music. So you really don't need all those songs since you could just pick different songs every time you charge it. The only time it indicates battery strength is when you first turn it one, which seems strange. If you don't check as soon as you turn it off, you might turn it on some time to find it is out of juice.

I also wish the noise level was standardized. I have to adjust the volume on practically every song.

So do you really need the added storage capacity of the 2 GB model? That's for you to decide. But if you just want something to play a few random songs for you while you do other things, this is a great model to get.

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