Rating: 
Summary: A joy to use
Review: First of all, the rumors are true: apple has discontinued this model and is now offering a 15 GB iPod for the same price. So don't buy this model, unless you're getting a good deal from amazon and only need 10 GB.My experience with this unit has been fine. I have a Windows PC, I've been using iTunes for Windows since it came out, and this little gem was the likely extension of that. They integrate seamlessly, and I've yet to have a problem with it. Windows and iTunes together do take about 30 seconds to recognize the device, but I've attributed that to less than ideal hardware/OS integration. I did buy an AppleCare Protection plan from Apple.com for this unit (US$59.95) because I've heard many stories of its battery dying after 18 months of usage, and this plan extends the complimentary service an additional year and is half the cost of replacing the battery (plus shipping). So, be warned. You do have this option to avoid shelling out half this unit's cost to keep it working. The unit itself works wonderfully. Its controls are very intuitive, and I've been able to put about 2/3 of my digital music on it, which I consider plenty to have in my pocket. Its greatest shortcoming is the fact that this unit will not charge its battery when connected to my Windows PC (I have heard that some Windows PCs will charge iPods, but not mine). Keeping it connected for about an hour while I reorganize my music collection and update iPod's songs drains the battery to about half capacity. This is in sharp contrast to Macs, which will charge the battery while you're syncing, which would leave you with more than half capacity, I'm sure. But this effectively destroys the "sync-and-go" method. Mine is "charge-sync-charge-and-go." But the battery life is much better when just playing music, as this unit kept me entertained most of the way through a transatlantic flight.
Rating: 
Summary: Note: 35/178 reviews, 2 stars or lower, Hmmmm
Review: I suppose I could add my horror story. But maybe it is more important to note:
35 out of 178 Amazon customer/reviewers give the ipod a rating of 2 stars or less. Reliability problems, customer service problems, PC-compatability problems.
Think maybe Apple has a problem?
I shoulda looked here more carefully first!
Rating:
Summary: My Experience
Review: This is referring to the 5gb 1st generation model, which I got my iPod last year. I loved it despite some difficulties. the case on it was a bit loose when I got it, and something a friend had been told caused me to ring up Apple tech support. They reassured me there was no manufcturing fault my friend had been told about, but I mentioned the loose case and they replaced the iPod with a new 5gb ipod at the beginning of this year. 3 weeks later I was listening to it and the display went odd. Occasionaly it seemed to be almost shimmering, with sections of the text being displaced. I spent 2 hours in the apple phone queue, with little success and finally got through. I was told it would be replaced again. I tried to talk them into giving me a new one, like this product, and they told me I would have to speak to customer relations, opening at 9 (this was at 8 20). I duly rang back later, and after an hour in the queue for tech support I was finally referred to customer support (apparently they cannot be contacted directly, but must be referred to from another department). However, they essentially just said it would be sorted out by the repairs department and I would probably just be given another 5gb model, and they could do nothing abut it. I know this may sound like I'm being stupid by asking for a new model when I bought the old one, so I should explain. I was one of 3 people to buy 5gb iPods in my year at school, and all of them have broken. One of my friends was given a new (3g) iPod, which has been no problem. Another was given a replacement as I was, which has also failed recently. Total 5gb iPods: 5 number defective: 5. Another friend had a 10gb iPod, which also had to be repaired. That accounts for all the 1st and 2nd generation iPods I know of, but another friend told me today that another friend of his is on his 4th iPod now. This hardly inspires my confidence in the build quality/reliability of them. The response I have had from Apple is essentially that once the 12 months of warranty are up it's no longer their problem, and they don't care. So much for promoting brand loyalty - a friend of mine had convinced me that Apple were far superior to PC manufacturers, now I have reconsidered that view. The iPod was my first and last Apple purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing service
Review: I may have a lemon but I've had nothing but trouble with it. And the really disappointing thing is that the service at Apple is awful. you can't talk to anyone, you have to sign on and do it online - they won't let you write much, I had to redo it 3x to get it to take. and I sent it once and they didn't fix it. now I'm sending it again and they are charging me for shipping. I'll never buy another Apple product and if it doesn't work this time I'm moving on to another MP3. too bad - its cool and it sounds good when it works.
Rating:
Summary: I've never been so frustrated with something in my life!!!
Review: First of all, this piece of apple technology meshes with windows systems very poorly. I never could get my compaq computer to recognize it. Fortunately, my wife's computer could see it after 2-3 hours of tinkering, but then we were dismayed because MusicMatch is impossible to figure out, and comes with no instructions. Second, the unit freezes if you run with it. We had the same experience as other Amazon reviewers. Basically, they don't tell you this when you buy it, or bring it back once or twice to have it looked at. It's usually the 3rd or 4th technician/salesman (with us, it was the 3rd) who tells you that, "running with an iPod is like running with a hard drive -- it's just not made for that type of abuse". We traded ours in for a new one, then sold it and bought an iRock. It only holds 25 songs, but is much lighter, more shock-resistant, and comes with true windows-ready software that is actually decipherable.
Rating: 
Summary: Love this gadget
Review: I got this item about two weeks ago and I am really happy with it. The earbuds were uncomfortable but I simply bought another set of headphones instead. The software installed properly the first time around, the transfers from my PC to the IPOD are very very fast, and all in all I think it is one of the slickest pieces of electronic gear I've owned. I might have bought the mini-IPOD had I known they were available, but this unit is a manageable size and has loads of storage space. A Keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Very nice piece of equipment, but not perfect
Review: I have an Apple imac, so I am not having the problems that PC users are having. The unit is nice and small, but my biggest complaints are 1) accessories are expensive for apple products 2) I'm annoyed by their free engraving offer which apparently keeps people from being able to return or exchange their ipods (I, fortunately, didn't not have mine engraved). 3) itunes will not allow you to pull songs from your ipod and put them on your hard drive. This is easily avoided however with software that can be found online. Of course, you have to purchase the software. In summary, it's a nice unit, but I question some of Apple's decisions.
Rating:
Summary: DO NOT BUY * BE CAREFUL*
Review: Apple just made a 15 gig ipod for the same price as the 10 gig. Do not buy the 10 gig Ipod because it is being discontinued. 15 gig is now the lowest model. look for yourself at apple.com
Rating:
Summary: The best!
Review: I received a 20 gig model for Christmas. Not only is it easy to import what you want, but it is simply put "cool" It will work on a PC with a Firewire card, installed; also ITunes is used. This "gem" is simply a wonderful and completely enjoyable player
Rating:
Summary: I Loves me'pod
Review: This product is just amazing. First of all I would like to establish credibility with everyone here by saying that I have researched the iPod a lot before buying and even some more after buying. I have owned my iPod for about a month now, and I own the 3rd generation 10gb iPod(win). I use my iPod with my inspirion 5100 Dell system. Running XP Pro, and iTunes for Windows. It is smooth as butter. I have not run into any problems, and the software is extremely easy to use. You plug in your iPod, and you wait while it downloads your music to its hard drive at 1 song per second. (With USB 2.0 or firewire) Now there has been a lot of speculation and worries about the battery and I urge you to not worry. In fact before you buy the iPod I recommend googling the keyword "li-ion battery" or "battery care". And try to specifically look for li-ion batteries, as that is what the iPod uses. These batteries are good for 300-500 charge discharge cycles. One thing I read that was really important was to keep the battery cool, and almost never do a full discharge. These batteries have NO memory affect, and last longer when not fully depleted, but rather charged after a certain battery power remains. So never drain the battery. Going back a little bit there are now third party companies that offer "do it yourself" battery replacement kits online for about 50-70 bucks. Or you can mail it to Apple for around 105 dollars and they will replace it with a new battery. This price includes shipping and tax, but it is approx! The speakers are great, considering they are ear buds. Sounds are clear and crisp, almost sounds like my 2.1 computer sound system. The frequency response is good, and unless you are a composer, you will be extremely satisfied with the speakers. The other great thing about the iPod that others do not offer is the ability to double as an external hard-drive. I know for a fact that the Dell DJ has no capability as it is strictly an mp3 player. So you can use your iPod for more then just music. You can even use your iPod to boot your operating system. You can literally use your iPod as your only HD if you want. This is a great mp3 player, and like all battery operated products, its batteries fail after time. This is normal. So in that case you just buy a new one. I mean how many cell phone batteries have you gone through? By the way, Dell currently offers no replacement battery for its Dell DJ. The iPod will eventually grow on you, it is popular for a reason and its attractive and sleek design allows you to take it anywhere. With a 25min skip protection you might as well jump on it, and it still won't skip!! I am not a Mac fan at all, but I think the iPod is a great innovation. For all those who are skeptical, do some research, and consider the superiority of the iPod. Thanks for your time.
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