iLove my Apple iPod nano 2nd gen Silver 4GB

I joined a gym this year and finally felt the need to cave in and treat myself to an iPod. After seeing how much my husband enjoyed his iPod video he convinced me that I would like one too. I'm not a technical idiot but I'm the first to admit that I'm easily frustrated by things that are complicated. So, when I started shopping around to pick out my iPod I hit panic mode.

Which one to get? What's the difference between the different models?

I told him to just go to the store and buy me one but instead he called me from his cell phone at the store and rattled off a bunch of mumbo jumbo numbers and prices. It became clear to me that he was truly putting my iPod purchase into my own hands so I took a deep breath and did some research. I wanted to use it primarily at the gym, so I knew that I didn't want the iPod video which was the version that he had. So, that narrowed it down to the shuffle vs the nano. The 2nd Generation iPod Shuffle had a good price (around $80) and looked like it would be great for going to the gym. Its small size screamed out "clip me on and go". I almost bought it but both the 1GB capacity and the fact that it didn't have a screen had me hesitant. I started looking at the 2nd Generation nano models, and decided that it was the model for me. I liked that there were a lot of different options in terms of the way it looked and the capacity. It comes in a few different colors (silver, pink, green, blue, black (8GB only) and even a special edition red) and in a 2, 4, and 8 GB versions. I ended up selecting the Apple iPod nano 2nd generation in Silver and went with the 4GB capacity. I don't remember exactly what I paid but I believe it was around $160 at my local Costco.

Using the iPod Nano

My husband helped me get started with my nano by downloading the iTunes software (free) for me and moving some of his music into my library. Its easy to connect the nano using the provided USB cable that plugs right into the dock connector on the bottom of the nano. The same connector is used to charge it and also transfer music. The iTunes software is easy to use to download music (songs are 99 cents a piece) or transfer music from CDs that I already own. Using iTunes I can create playlists and organize my music library. Fully charged the nano has a battery life of up to 24 hours which is more than adequate for my needs. It takes about 3 hours for it to charge the battery completely. My 4GB model can hold approximately 1,000 songs which is more MP3's than I currently "own". You can also load photos and make slideshows on the nano but I've not yet experimented with this feature.

Having never used an iPod ever, I had convinced myself that I wouldn't be able to figure out how to use it. I was so very wrong about that. The iPod nano is really easy to use, easy enough that my 6 year old son knows how to use it. Everything is controlled by the clickwheel located on the front for easy access. The clickwheel is pretty darn neat because all I have to do is graze my fingertip over it and I can easily adjust the volume or navigate through the menu to pick my music (select a playlist, shuffle songs, scroll through for a certain selection, etc). The nano has a small 1.5" LCD screen that is takes up approximately 1/3 of the face of it. The screen is backlit and extremely easy to read.

The nano itself is tiny. Its only 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.26 inches and weighs just 1.41 ounces. I love how slim and lightweight it is. My husband's 30GB iPod Video looks vehemoth in comparison to my tiny nano. The nano may be small but its not wimpy!

I purchased the nano to primarily use at the gym. When I go the gym (not nearly enough, but I'm working on that) I use it with an armband so that I can have it right on my body. My husband got me hooked on listening to my iPod in my car too, which I hadn't really even considered before purchasing it. There's a whole plethora of accessories available for the nano. The cool part is that because most of these accessories use the dock connector, both my husband and I are able to try out each others accessories even though he has the iPod Video and I have the nano.

The nano comes with stock earbuds (white) from Apple that are just ok. Sound through them is decent at medium volume levels but could be better at higher and lower volumes. I definitely am going to purchase a better set of headphones or earbuds for both better sound and also a more comfortable fit. The earbuds that came with my nano tend to fall out of my ears alot, especially when I'm on the treadmill or moving around alot. If I'm listening to music while sitting at my desk they are sufficient though I do plan on an upgrade. FYI - I have a tragus piercing in one of my ears (its that triangle part that juts out of my head into my ear) and that makes fitting things like earbuds (and even my bluetooth for my cellphone) very trial and error.

Overall, I'm loving my iPod nano and am extremely satisfied with my plunge into MP3 players and the world of iPod. Now that I'm seasoned with it I wonder why I was so intimidated to try it out before I did. I recommend the 4GB nano to anyone looking for a portable yet powerful music player. Its attractive, compact, easy to use, and comes with a middle of the road pricetag.

Happy Listening!

My Other iPod related views
iConcepts Gel Armband Case
DLO Action Jacket
DLO Transdock Micro FM Transmitter
Griffin iTrip Transmitter Dock