PRODUCT REVIEW
Digging the iPod Mini

As a user of iPods through multiple generations, I felt compelled to secure a Mini. It was, I felt, my duty as an Apple devotee to judge the little critter for myself. After two weeks of use, I've been able to ascertain what makes the Mini unique. It could be that I will fall victim to the sound problems others have reported after a few more weeks of use, but for now I can say it is the sweetest MP3 player I have yet encountered.

For starters, the Mini's buttons have been moved under the scroll wheel, which I think is an improvement from the last iPod version. It is also amazingly light, at just 3.6 ounces.

And although the Mini is not without its drawbacks, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

The Simple Life

As digital music becomes more accepted, MP3 players and music services no doubt will abound. But Apple has a significant foothold in the market -- and not because its players are funky (although they are) or because iTunes offers the most music of all online music stores (it does not).

The reason for Apple's success is this: Both iTunes and the iPod have a bevy of features, but on the whole, each is stripped down to a simple, almost idiot-proof level. Each iPod I have owned has been easy to operate, straightforward and pared of extraneous options like extensive calendaring or sorting by sub-sub-category.

Because of this ease of use, Apple will go far beyond its fellows, in my opinion. Simplicity in a device geared toward on-the-go use is crucial, as is a clear, easy way to sort digital music files. The iPod provides both of these things.

I have five computers in my house, with laptops, an Alienware PC and a homemade machine serving as a kind of do-it-yourself TiVo system. But that does not mean I want to deal with layer upon layer of technology in an MP3 player. Hence, my love of all things iPod.

Geek Chic

Despite the simplicity of its design and the ease of playlist transfers, let's face it: There are cheaper MP3 players on the market. For the storage space -- the iPod Mini includes 1 GB of storage space, enough for about 1,000 songs, according to Apple -- there are even cheaper iPods. But there are few contenders when it comes to style.

I chose the silver Mini, which looks as if it was forged from metal shavings found on the floor of an industrial plant. It was a toss-up between the brushed silver and the brushed gold, which looks vaguely like C-3PO's finish after he's been in a few sand-dune battles.

To be frank, I am somewhat mystified by the other color choices Apple has chosen. As I am not a fan of Easter eggs, I did not even consider the bubblegum pink, eggshell blue and radioactive green options. It would have been nice to have a more subtle hue in the mix.

But really, this seems like quibbling, or complaining that one's diamond shoes are too tight. The Mini's style is sleek and distinctive, and it is the envy of everyone riding with me in the elevator.

Brrr... It's Cold in Here

Even with its style and substance, the Mini is not a utopian toy, free from flaws. Already, after only two weeks of use, my Mini has frozen once.

Freezing, in which the screen suddenly stops and the scroll wheel ceases working, can be fixed by restarting the iPod. The occurrence of this problem was so frequent with my first iPod that I had to send it back to the shop with a desperate plea attached. Apple sent me a new player rather than repairing mine (thank you, warranty). After about four months, that new player began to have the same problem -- but I cared less because I'd moved to a second-generation model that did not freeze at all.

So, the first time I saw the Mini's unmoving screen during a Moby song, I had a sinking feeling of familiarity. But that is where the Internet enters the picture.

On sites like Spymac, others report the same problem, and various fixes are suggested, such as reinstalling the iTunes software that came with the player and getting rid of the offending song. With software in place and Moby booted off the Mini, the problem has not reoccurred -- but that doesn't mean I'm optimistic that it never will.

Also, Apple is investigating reports about sound quality degradation that reportedly produces static after a few weeks of use. This, combined with reports that iPod batteries do not last anywhere near as long as they should, means I treasure these halcyon days of blissfully problem-free Mini use.

The Cuteness Factor

So, with a short battery life, a high price tag of nearly US$250, and potential problems ahead, why on Earth would I want this expensive toy? The answer is, quite simply, that it is light, cool, versatile and, I admit it, adorable. The size is definitely a plus during exercise, even if that means just a sprint toward the bus stop.

The Mini is also tougher than one might expect. As I am clumsy, I require technology that is not so delicately calibrated that it can't slam onto a treadmill or fall between the seats of an airplane. Score another one for the Mini. Although it is diminutive, it is an industrial machine that can take quite a licking and keep on grooving.