Mini iPods: a total pile of crap

I'm in a foul mood today.

Most of the time when I talk about Apple Computers, I'm shamelessly promoting the company, and drooling over its latest offering, but today things are a little different. Apple had its keynote speech yesterday, which is when the company announces new products. This keynote wasn't as big as most, since there were no new computers due, but there was one thing I was ecstatic about: mini iPods.

I've always wanted to own an iPod, but they're too expensive. So when I saw the rumor of 2 GB and 4 GB "mini iPods", I was excited, especially when I heard from many sources that the 2 GB model would only cost $100. That's a price I can afford. And 2 GB's still holds 500 songs, so I could load up my favorites, buy the attachment that lets me play mp3's on the car stereo, and never have to worry again about lugging three huge books of CD's back and forth from my apartment to my car.

Unfortunately, the mini iPods were not $100. They were 4 GB models for $250. Let me repeat again: $250. If this is Apple's idea of a "low-end" mp3 player, then Steve Jobs needs to leave his crystal palace and see the salaries real people live on. Hey Apple, if I can't afford $300 for a regular iPod, what makes you think I can afford $250 for a "mini" one?

And why would anyone pay $250 for a 4 GB mini iPod when they can get a real iPod with almost four times the storage for $50 more? It's a complete ripoff. Sure, the mini ones are smaller, but the difference is almost indistinguishable. The mini is 0.4" shorter both horizontally and vertically (half the width of a penny), 0.12" thinner (unnoticeable), and 2 oz. lighter (the weight of six Kool-Aid packets). Is there something special I'm missing here? The only real difference is the mini iPods come in colors.

And let's talk about the colors, shall we? You have your choice of aluminum, vomit-smeared gold, light powder blue, pea soup green, or pink. While I'm sure this is a fantastic choice of colors for an eight-year-old girl looking for an mp3 player to match her Hello Kitty accessories, it's horrendous for adults who expect a stylish grown-up product for $250.

Frankly, this isn't going to win any new customers from Apple. People weren't yelling and screaming for a smaller iPod or an iPod with Easter egg colors. They were looking for an affordable iPod, and this just doesn't cut it.

Granted, Apple could release a cheaper 2 GB model later, but even if they do, it's still a terrible business move to disappoint your customers so much. If you look on Slashdot or even the Mac rumor sites - the two places with the most blind loyalty and support for anything Apple does - you'll see comments from a lot of disappointed people. That doesn't happen very often.

So here's to hoping Apple wises up and comes out with cheaper mini iPods. If not, this idea may go the same way as the Newton, or Microsoft's WebTV.

Oh man, you don't even know how excited I am by today's song. It's by Gob, a band that's been around since 1994 but hasn't gotten much notice. They're punk, they're fun, and I must see them live as soon as possible. "Give Up the Grudge" by Gob Music archives

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Reader Comments

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Cripsy Fuckin Duck      Dec 31, 1969 • 4:00pm   you sad loser - you\'ve been proven SO so wrong hahahaha      Dec 31, 1969 • 4:00pm   ive got the video 1 and its cheaper!!!!! Howling griffon      Dec 31, 1969 • 4:00pm   Im from England and i agree, mini ipods are a pile of stinking crap Jon      Feb 7, 3542 • 11:12am   I agreed when the ipod minis were more expencive but now they have been reduced to 130 pounds, which is much better, and the battery life has been improved! I ordered mine tonight! Aluminium silver from johnlewis.com sharky      Dec 31, 1969 • 4:00pm   Couldnt be any more correct, I;m from England were almost evrey one has an ipod (most of them live on state benifits as well) i was looking forward to a new mini ipod for a cheaper retail price but was pissed off by the price and the fact that only gay guys and 9 year old girls would ever buy them due to their colour put me off even more. I have relasied that the ipod is a massive scam made by apple to sell their product as no one wants their computers. I have just bought a 60gb Creative Labs mp3 player for $326.198 which I no is alot but its 60gb and therfore better than the ipod. Plus you dont get the tablet style earphones that every one knows is off and ipod and so then trys to steal it off you. Jessica      Dec 31, 1969 • 4:00pm   I think you are absolutely right, I was really excited when I heard about the new mini iPods that were coming out but then when I saw the price I nearly died! I thought they were meant to be at an affordable price!?

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