What do you see in the iPod Mini?

[furrina]

I can't quite understand why the Mini has taken off so well. It's not like the regular 20 Gb iPod is so huge you can't lug it around-- it's smaller than most cell phones. Nor is it ugly and boring (I actually think it's better looking than the mini but that's just me). Nor is there a price difference of 50 bucks vs. 300 or something (sure, I'd get something tiny to toss in a bag if it were really cheap). For only $100 less you're getting 4 gigs of music vs. 20 gigs of music, just a couple of inches larger. Why would you want to have that much less music for just $100 savings? I guess for me it's all about the music. But I still can't understand why anyone would buy one. Insights?

[wide]

i have an ipod mini, and i regret the purchase :(.

sure, it's smaller and doesn't scratch as easily, but i think the classic silver and white combination is the best. also, my music collection has been growing substantially due to an iTMS gift certificate, and soon i will not have enough room in my mini to house my entire music collection.

i personally like the touch buttons above the scroll wheel more than the mini's clickwheel. i really don't know why the mini is so successful. i think it is because the iPod has not seen an update (excluding HD sizes) for such a long time (more than a year now), and people were really looking forward to a new design in january at MWSF, so apple was able to make the mini look like the next great gadget. i think the fact that is bears the name "iPod" is also a contributing factor to its success. like i said, i regret the purchase. the 15 gigabyte is a much, much better mp3 player and a much better deal too. (just my opinion, you can't change it so you might as well not argue. i would like to hear other mini users opinions though....)

[Bhennies]

It's called marketing and trendiness. i think that I would buy an ipod mini for 125 bucks. That would be great. But for 250? Ridiculous. Either way, my 30 gig is over 2/3rds filled up.

[jknight8907]

I agree. It's a total impulse-buy product. It's designed for people who think about looks, not functionality. (And those with more money than I've got) It's really dumb to spend $250 on something when you can get 11gb more for just $50

[LaMerVipere]

And in person, at least to me, it doesn't feel or look or seem much smaller than the normal iPod! I expected it to feel and look much smaller than it does :rolleyes:

[Grimace]

I'm a happy 40GB owner, but I can see the appeal of the Mini. Some people aren't interested in taking *all* of their music with them. For a trip to the gym, it holds a lot more than a CD, and tucks away a little better.

While hard to believe, not everyone has a billion songs that they want with them at all times. Different markets for different people.

As far as price goes, the iPod is certainly overpriced in my opinion. BUT, in the opinion of the millions of domestic/international backorders, the price is worth it.

Some people want to pay extra for a Mercedes convertible when they can get a Volvo station wagon that holds more. Hmm....

[wide]

Maybe Microsoft's new offerings will force Apple to reduce the price :D

[FuzzyBallz]

It's smaller, the control layout's better, IMO, and it doesn't scratch easy and it ain't plastic like the regular. I'd hit the current mini... when a higher capacity model comes out and the price drops a little.
Maybe Microsoft's new offerings will force Apple to reduce the price :D
Yeah, right, in your dreams. Apples doesn't reduce prices unless they need to move overstocks in preparation for new revisions or updates.

[Amani]

I have to concur. The Mini is overpriced and I would grow out of it in about a month. I don't mean this as a put down, but I bet the sells of the Mini are probably higher among women buyers. It more of a fashion statement than a dedicated hard drive for serious storage. My wife wants a Mini, but she's really not a computer user. So you see, it seems to be targeted at folks who are not heavy computer users or MP3 players. And why have a Pod if you can't put your entire music library on it. That's the entire point of having it, isn't it?

[furrina]

And I thought I was gonna get yelled at :rolleyes:

Thing is, I DO spend tons of money on things just because of their looks. And yes, I'm female. I was just looking at them again, and I was like, "gee, I guess they are kinda cute." But then I see the capacity. I'll buy cell phones just because they look cool (provided they have the basic features I need). and I'm used to spending a bundle on apple products because I'm a diehard mac person. I was amazed at how great a gadget the iPod was when the second gen. came out, tiny and cute, backlight, no moving parts, and...there's a 20 GB hard drive in there! I've had mine for a year (actually i got the 15 two weeks b4 the 20 came out at the same price
:( )

And I don't want to put my whole CD collection on it, though I don't think I coudl put my CD collection on any existing MP3 player. I occasionally DJ with it. Having a little one would just be an extra step because I'd have to keep rotating the files. I guess I'm a packrat.
I take it to the gym no problem, it's way smaller than my CD player. Note that the 40Gb is actually (noticeably, to me) bigger than the others.

And as far as it being a status product, status products usually have some real advantage, like they actually are more "premium" in their functionality, so I don't quite understand that part of it either. And the things can't stay on the shelves. I think a lot of teens get them for gifts, ones who don't really care how much the thing holds.

[wide]

Yeah, right, in your dreams.

C'mon, Microsoft has messed up so many products that they cannot afford to release a bad device. If it gets a decent review, I'm buying it.

The reason Microsoft will make high-capacity HD drive players so cheap is because they own enough hard drive manufacturers to make them cost $0.02.

And for the record: a dream with any Microsoft product is a nightmare in my book ;)

[yoda13]

well, mine was a gift, so I can't complain about the price. Having said that, I have had a first gen iPod for a couple of years and I actually prefer the mini's control setup. It is the best I have seen, IMO. The first gens were well designed, but my friend bought a third gen, and I bought one for my nephew for graduation, and I don't like the touch buttons above the scroll wheel. Anyway, that is just my opinion. I think the mini is a good idea simply because it gives us more choices as iPod enthusiasts. just my 2 cents.

[Doraemon]

I am in Europe where the mini isn't available yet.

Once it is, I will buy the mini.

Why?
Because I don't need 40 gigs (not ever 10!). The iPod is not designed to be used as external firewire HD (it heats up rapidly when transferring large quantities of files). Therefore, it's for music only. And my music collection is currently 3.5 GB. Sure, I could start ripping all CDs I have. But where's the point in doing that. Where's the point in carrying your entire music collection with you all the time? Sure, it's handy. But I don't listen to all of my music all the time. For instance, for a while I feel like listening to one kind of music only. Perhaps the week thereafter I feel like listening to another type. But if so, where's the problem and putting the new music onto the iPod then? How long does it take? 5 minutes?

Hence, I don't need the space. Geez, I would even buy a 2 gig iPod mini if it was available (for a lower price, of course).
Therefore, I have other criteria for buying an iPod: size and looks. And these are definitely the strengths of the iPod mini!

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I've had my mini since February, and I think it was totally worth the price. It's small formfactor makes it feel more robust than the regular (h*ll, I even dropped mine down a concrete staircase and it didn't scratch or dent - it just played happily on...).

The cool factor is also there, but as I have it in a pocket most of the time, and use Koss headphones, that isn't a big issue for me. I love the green metallic over the pure white, and have even considered to have my iBook coloured...

As space goes, I have roughly 12.5GB in my iTunes Library, and have no need for carrying all those 3000 songs with me. I've made a couple of playlists, some normal and some smart ones, and sync those whenever the mini needs more power (every other day). These are the playlist I would have listened to anyway, even if I had room for all my music.

All in all: The mini suites me just fine, it looks better is more robust and even costs less than its bigger brother, the regular. I love my mini.

[netytan]

Ok maybe its just me but i dont think theres anything appealing about the way either one looks, the Ipod looks to blocky for the times and the Mini is jsut to hard; lacking the smooth curves of its big brother. What i'd like to see on the other hand would be an Ipod that mirrors the style of the PowerBook, then maybe i'd consider it.

What Apple really needs to give it is a color screen, i mean geez, its hard to find a mid range mobile that doesn't have one and they are much cheeper than an Ipod! Add to that the bad things i've heard about the battery life which makes me think why bother, sorry to be the pesamist but the Ipods need a serious rethink!

Mark.

[Chip NoVaMac]

I agree. It's a total impulse-buy product. It's designed for people who think about looks, not functionality. (And those with more money than I've got) It's really dumb to spend $250 on something when you can get 11gb more for just $50

You are right, it is size and cuteness. That i want it factor. And consumers always pay for that. Just look at the auto industry and you'll find examples of that all over the place.

Dumb? Maybe for you. I think it is dumb to buy a car for over $22k. I think it is dumb to want an SUV that can run the war zones of Iraq, when the toughest road they see is Rodeo Drive. I think it is dumb to pay more than $30 a person for dinner. I think it is dumb to pay $8 to $12 to see a movie in a theater, when the DVD will be out in 3 to 6 months in most cases today.

Not trying to slam you personally. But the consumer is king. They vote with their dollars. I don't care if the iPod Mini outsells the iPod 10 to 1. As long as Apple still produces the iPod. For you and I look for value in this one instance.

[Sabbath]

I don't need a mini, can't afford one and can't justify getting one. However I'm sure I will be first in line when they are finally out over here (UK).

I hate the way my 20gig 3G ipod gets scratched up the whole time, and the fact it just feels to thick when its in a skin (I couldn't take the 40gig its just not the right dimensions). The skin additionally gives it an unpleasant feel and makes it hard to slide into a pocket etc. My iPod is great if I'm working away from my computer or going on holiday etc, but I don't need 20 gig for going to the gym, shopping or commuting. The fact the mini is smaller and more durable wins the day. Plus the fact they're kute :o I'm not sure that a guy can pull off a pink one though :rolleyes:

[Koodauw]

I would agree that part of the success, is the coolness of it. It is somewhat of a style purchase. But here is the real secret to its success.....

NOT EVERYONE HAS 10, 20 or 40 GIGS OF MUSIC.

Some people have under a gig, and what a great MP3 player. They also want one with style, and easy of use. Hello iPod Mini. I wouldn't want to lug around a larger iPod, which is slower, bulkier, anf has less battery time, when I can get a Mini, for cheaper, and it looks alot cooler!

To answer the question, the reason the iPod Mini is so successful is beacuase it fills a niche in the market that no one had previously addressed adequatly.

[Tom Morello]

I might get a Mini, it depends on how my current iPod is at the time, I got it a year ago, and how much money I have etc.
When do they Minis come out in the Uk?
I'd get a pink one. :D
Plus, I've burned most of my Cd's onto my hard drive plus about 100 tracks I've downloaded and I've used less than 2 Gb's.
I used to have about 6 Gb's I think before I lost all my files, and I'm only downloading music that I really like this time, so buying a mini might not be a bad idea.

[Amani]

I would agree that part of the success, is the coolness of it. It is somewhat of a style purchase. But here is the real secret to its success.....

NOT EVERYONE HAS 10, 20 or 40 GIGS OF MUSIC.

Well, I would look at this way. If you're a serious computer user, you'll probably want to use your Pod for more than music. Backing up documents, photos, and audiobooks are a great way to use a 10, 20, or 40 gig Pod. Of course, if you just got lots of mula, you can buy the Mini for style, and an original Pod for backup and higher levels of music storage.

[BornAgainMac]

I want a iPod Flash player. Something that I can place my own memory in rather than have built-in memory. Also I don't like the hard drive being in something that I run with. Battery life would be double, the size of the iPod would be half the size of the iPod mini, and the price would be under $100 bucks if they didn't try to have a large memory card in it. I would personally prefer Apple didn't sell it with memory but people would scream about it so it would end up being a $200 dollar player with memory from Apple. If it didn't have memory, you can use your existing memory from my digital camera and save money.

I probably a miniority in just wanting something that is small and memory based that holds an hour or two of songs. But I can only run for about 2 hours most mostly 45 min runs and I typically like to play 2 or 3 of my favorite songs and have them repeat in the same workout anyways.

[Kwyjibo]

the iPod has not seen an update (excluding HD sizes) for such a long time (more than a year now), and people were really looking forward to a new design in january at MWSF

i don't think people should put so much emphasis on ipod updates, apple does what they can when they can but mp3 player models can last on the market for a year with only hard drive upgrades very easily. The first ipod model was introduced in like november 2001 and wasn't drastically changed except for hard drive upgrades until MAY of 2003 so i mean a year and three quarters isn't that long

[mkubal]

Well if you remember when they came out everyone was down on them then. I was one of those people who also thought that for the price, the mini was absurd. Especially compared to regular iPods. But I recently came into a mini and I'd have to say that I find it to be well worth the money. I have more music than will fit on the mini, but In a given day I might only be interested in listening to half of it and have the time to listen to about 2 percent of it. So 4 gigs is more than enough. I haven't even filled it up.

What's weird is that when I go back to my regular iPod it feels like a monster and I can't believe I ever carried it around. The physical size is the most attractive part of owning one (to me). I can throw it in my pocket and not even realize it's there.

I still love my iPod, but I think the mini is awesome.

Matt

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Well, I would look at this way. If you're a serious computer user, you'll probably want to use your Pod for more than music. Backing up documents, photos, and audiobooks are a great way to use a 10, 20, or 40 gig Pod. Of course, if you just got lots of mula, you can buy the Mini for style, and an original Pod for backup and higher levels of music storage.

The iPods are consumer products for listening to music. "Serious" computer users can buy external HDs with much higher capacity for lot less than any of the iPods, minis or regulars. I myself has one old 2.5" 6GB in an USB case and a 2.5" 20GB in an FW case. These are leftovers from HD upgrades on a Pismo, but even if I had to buy them a typical 20-60GB 2.5" disk with a case AND a mini is still cheaper than a 40GB iPod. If you tolerate a bit bigger case for the HD and get a 3.5" disk you can probably get a 200GB disk and a mini for the cost of a 40GB iPod...

[lefty111]

I have really enjoyed my iPod Mini. I balked originally at the price, but got a $50 Apple gift certificate for Xmas, so I considered it a $200 purchase. The Mini is great for joggers. I don't like the Mini armband, feels like a tourniquet. Because the Mini has rounded edges, I can carry it in hand easily while jogging. Easier to handle in this regard than the iPod.

Also, my entire music library, including a long Stephen King audio book, only takes up 3 GB. Even if I exceed 4 GB, I can't imagine needing to carry all of it. I can only listen to one song at a time! Whether you prefer the original iPod or the iPod Mini, both are great products!

[LethalWolfe]

Well, I would look at this way. If you're a serious computer user, you'll probably want to use your Pod for more than music. Backing up documents, photos, and audiobooks are a great way to use a 10, 20, or 40 gig Pod. Of course, if you just got lots of mula, you can buy the Mini for style, and an original Pod for backup and higher levels of music storage.

This is why there are multiple products to choose from. Just because YOU don't think it's useful doesn't mean EVERYONE doesn't think it's useful. Use the one you like and stop b*tching about the people who use something different.


Lethal

[goodwill]

I am in Europe where the mini isn't available yet.
Once it is, I will buy the mini.
Why?
Because I don't need 40 gigs (not ever 10!). The iPod is not designed to be used as external firewire HD (it heats up rapidly when transferring large quantities of files). Therefore, it's for music only. And my music collection is currently 3.5 GB. Sure, I could start ripping all CDs I have. But where's the point in doing that. Where's the point in carrying your entire music collection with you all the time?

Youll entire perspective will change once you have that mini, believe me. You have to live it to learn it I know, so trust me, once youve actually owned your very own ipod, the decision on what size you need or needed is much clearer haha. Although you say you won't listen to that much music, believe me you will. I think that like the majority of people who have ipods their desire and interest in music changes and you want to get more involved and stay active with music anywhere and everywhere. I loved music before my ipod, youd think id grow tired of it, but it only makes you want more and more and different music. I can truly say that most people who have an ipod have broadened their music horizons beyond their original collection since theyve had their ipod. Making playlists are a blast, they can be 20mb or 5gb large. Like the ladies say, size matters. Make the right decision.

[MacFan26]

I have the 15 GB and I use it everyday. The only reason why I wouldn't get a mini is because I tend to want to have my entire library with me. :rolleyes: I've played with the mini's at the store though. I wouldn't mind having that scroll wheel on the next iPod update. As far as the color screen, I suppose it would be cool, but I don't really know why it would be necessary. ..Actually now that I think of it, it could be fun :D

[OziMac]

Youll entire perspective will change once you have that mini, believe me. You have to live it to learn it I know, so trust me, once youve actually owned your very own ipod, the decision on what size you need or needed is much clearer haha. Although you say you won't listen to that much music, believe me you will. I think that like the majority of people who have ipods their desire and interest in music changes and you want to get more involved and stay active with music anywhere and everywhere. I loved music before my ipod, youd think id grow tired of it, but it only makes you want more and more and different music. I can truly say that most people who have an ipod have broadened their music horizons beyond their original collection since theyve had their ipod. Making playlists are a blast, they can be 20mb or 5gb large. Like the ladies say, size matters. Make the right decision.



Do you have a Mini, goodwill?

I'm sorry, but again with the greatest respect, I understand that some people don't 'see' what others do about the iPod Mini, but that by no means suggests that those others have limited (or underestimated) musical tastes.

I think most people are capable of determining what their tastes are and how much they may or may not broaden, at least over the lifetime of an electronic device. And if they can afford to buy 100 CDs (or 1000 downloads) within a year or two, surely they can afford to upgrade once the life of the Mini starts to dwindle, or there are newer products - because that would be the only way they'd outgrow the size of their Mini in the first place, right?!

I choose to have a 40GB iPod because I choose to carry around all my music, and my collection is larger than any of the other sizes. But I don't begrudge anyone else the size of their collection or the fact that they don't want to have Madonna's entire catalogue at their finger tips - hell, maybe they'd prefer only to carry around the 'Music' they like :D - good on them. And maybe physical size (ie smallness) and looks are more important to them than the intangible size of a hard drive.

Unless you're a lady yourself, your last remark is perhaps a little harsh - most men would hate to be told that they're compensating with the size of their iPod. It's what you do with it ;)

Finally, I'm sure all but an unfortunate few people 'loved music' before they got an iPod - hence they got one in the first place. It's all about the music - which is subordinate to the iPod - the iPod is nothing but a means to an end, and people choose to get there in different ways. I say, let's deal with it, that's their prerogative, they're not stupid.



By the way goodwill, you have an exceptional birthdate! :cool:

[bertagert]

i personally like the touch buttons above the scroll wheel more than the mini's clickwheel.
I don't have inside info or anything, but I would bet a large sum of money that the next regualr ipod will have the same controls of the mini.
Maybe Microsoft's new offerings will force Apple to reduce the price
Microsoft isn't making a mp3 player. They are only supplying the software for them. I know what article you got this from but it was later recanted as saying it was microsoft's partners that will be making them.
The iPod is not designed to be used as external firewire HD (it heats up rapidly when transferring large quantities of files) Although its not considered a external drive, I use mine all the time as one with out a single problem. Apple does/did have the Home directory on ipod thing going into Jag or Panther. I'm sure it will come back.

As for why its a good buy:

Nice and small. I have a 15 gig and when I got my mitts on the mini I wished I had one. Only down side is my collection is bigger than 4 gig. See next below
The mini is designed...marketed to teens and women. Most teens listen to the top 40. Once a song is no longer popular why do you need it? You don't and not having it on the ipod isn't a big deal. Plus, 1000 (realistically, 800 songs) is a ton of music.
Women like it because it's small to fit in a purse, not heavy when putting it on the arm during workouts, and they like the colors (same goes for the teens).

The mini wasn't targeted towards someone who has a ton of music or uses it for backups. I bet 95% of the mini owners don't have a single complaint about the price nor the 1000 song limit. Being back ordered should tell you that the mini is a hit and not a poorly designed product.

[OziMac]

I don't have inside info or anything, but I would bet a large sum of money that the next regualr ipod will have the same controls of the mini.

I would wager you're probably right ;)

As for why its a good buy:

Nice and small. I have a 15 gig and when I got my mitts on the mini I wished I had one. Only down side is my collection is bigger than 4 gig. See next below
The mini is designed...marketed to teens and women. Most teens listen to the top 40. Once a song is no longer popular why do you need it? You don't and not having it on the ipod isn't a big deal. Plus, 1000 (realistically, 800 songs) is a ton of music.
Women like it because it's small to fit in a purse, not heavy when putting it on the arm during workouts, and they like the colors (same goes for the teens).


Hmm. I think you'll find a lot of men like it for the same reasons (especially the workout one!), and that it's not being exclusively marketed or bought by 'teens and women'. I'm neither, and I can't wait to get my hands on one, and I'd find it hard to believe I'm alone there - you're obviously a fan too (though no passing judgment on whether you're male and old either lol :)).

[bertagert]

Hmm. I think you'll find a lot of men like it for the same reasons (especially the workout one!), and that it's not being exclusively marketed or bought by 'teens and women'. I'm neither, and I can't wait to get my hands on one, and I'd find it hard to believe I'm alone there - you're obviously a fan too (though no passing judgment on whether you're male and old either lol :)).
Yeah, I guess you could be right in the male vs. female thing. However, those particular colors just don't seem "manly" to me (except the silver one). I'm going to stick to my guns and say women and teens.

On the other note: I am a male and no longer a teen either. I would defintely get the silver mini if it had at least a 10 gig drive. I thought it was much more comfortable in my hand plus it could slide right in the old pocket (if it didn't have that cord attached at the store it might have).

My guess is we'll be seeing the ipod morph into something more like the mini. Time will tell. In the mean time...I want the 15" powerbook to jump to 1.8ghz so i can get a new system.

[Doraemon]

Well, I would look at this way. If you're a serious computer user, you'll probably want to use your Pod for more than music. Backing up documents, photos, and audiobooks are a great way to use a 10, 20, or 40 gig Pod.

Apple advises against using the iPod for backups/hard disk.
(besides, I don't see how that sort of action qualifies someone to be a serious computer user)

[rueyeet]

I bought a blue mini at the Montgomery Mall grand opening (they were out of green by the time I got into the store) and I'm regretting its purchase. I thought that since I only really listen to a few playlists for days at a time, a mini would be big enough, and yet would be easier to carry, have the Click Wheel, and have the dock connector that makes a lot of the newer peripherals possible.

Well, those playlists were bigger than I thought, and 4 GB simply isn't enough. Maybe it's because my favorite listening mode is Random, and I never bought enough music before to have anything I don't want to hear on a regular basis.

Which makes me sad, because I really do love the mini's tiny design and the Click Wheel, and wanted to explore some of the peripherals my old 2nd gen 10-gigger won't work with.

Biggest disappointment of the mini, though: The old 10 GB iPod beats the mini on battery life, hands down.

[Sir_Giggles]

As a person who owns both the 20GB iPod and the iPod Mini, I much prefer the mini. For all the reasons stated in the previous posts, but most importantly, if I wanted to store ALL my music in one place, I'd rather keep them all on my PB.

[OziMac]

Well, those playlists were bigger than I thought, and 4 GB simply isn't enough. Maybe it's because my favorite listening mode is Random, and I never bought enough music before to have anything I don't want to hear on a regular basis.

Which makes me sad, because I really do love the mini's tiny design and the Click Wheel, and wanted to explore some of the peripherals my old 2nd gen 10-gigger won't work with.

Biggest disappointment of the mini, though: The old 10 GB iPod beats the mini on battery life, hands down.

That's a real bummer, rueyeet - hopefully WWDC may bring something to address these issues... we can only hope... :)

[MacFan26]

Apple advises against using the iPod for backups/hard disk.

Do they really? I always thought it was one of their features they promoted.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Apple advises against using the iPod for backups/hard disk.
(besides, I don't see how that sort of action qualifies someone to be a serious computer user)

Can you provide the link on that? I mean they even promote the Belkin media reader for photos on the IPod page. And outside of the iPod OS, I thought it was a FW400 HDD at its most basic level.

The iPod as HDD for serious or power users helps expand Mac use. It provides an all-in-one solution for users that need to work with files on the go. And the added bonus of having something to play some music too.

My case may be a good example. I am looking at getting a G5 desktop (PM 1.8D or the new iMac G% - if and when) to augment my PB 12" rev. B. I am thinking that a 40 to 60GB iPod will allow me to keep my work files in one place. I know of no easier or faster way to make sure that I have the files I need on both systems.