9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Don't we love iPods?
Date of Review: Apr 9, 2008
The Bottom Line: Sleek, stylish, and compact digital media player.
The 3rd gen iPod Nano packs a lot in such a small package. It's wider than the old Nano, but shorter as well. This allows for a 2 inch LCD screen which plays video exceptionally well. The interface is stylish and maneuverable in normal Apple fashion. The battery also lasts 20 hours and recharges in about 2 hours. With constant video, the battery can still go for 5 hours making this a great product for those who travel long distances. Syncing with iTunes is easy as long as you have the latest version. The Nano also allows you to view text files from notepad and comes with a few games pre-loaded.
The fit and finish is exceptional, Apple continued the use of anodized aluminum for excellent build quality and the backside is polished to a mirror. The downside is that the back scratches easily so it's recommended to keep your Nano inside a cover.
The Nano is primarily an audio device, and Apple could improve with the sound quality. It isn't bad, but merely average. Considering that the price tag is $200 and that it does everything well, Apple should provide audiophile quality sound. For the vast majority of average users the quality is adequate, but it's not as good as the competition (Cowon iAudio7, Sansa Clip, iRiver S10). The headphones are good for earbuds but upgrading to canal IEM's will highlight the average sound quality. Another flaw is the absence of a custom EQ option. There are presets, but it makes no sense to not offer a custom option.
Apple has made a great product, but they need to improve in these few areas to make it perfect. A good player for those who want an array of features in a stylish package.
