Apple iPod mini 2nd Generation Blue (4 GB, M9802LL/A) MP3 Player

With the Ipod Mini officially retired, the only way you are going to find one is online or on the clearance shelf. That actually works in your favor as this is probably the best MP3 player on the market for the dollar.

Everyone knows Apple has a stranglehold on the MP3 market and the Mini did nothing to reduce that theory. It was small, had the infamous click-wheel as well as an assortment of colors that appeal to just about everyone. It has a wealth of accessories available at cheap prices as well as great technical support (though you won't need it most likely).

The menu system is intuitive and easy to navigate. The display is clear and bright and has a nice bluish shade that fades out from non-use. It's durable too though it's hard-drive based so you'd be smart not to use it while jogging or otherwise moving constantly. It also includes ITunes which is pretty much the software to use for MP3 maintenance.

It's unfortunate that Apple didn't incorporate FM radio into any of it's MP3 players like Rio did. Of course, people snatched them up anyway because it's Apple. The battery itself has some issues as well and often will die before the 500 charge/recharge cycle as arrived. If it's not under warranty, you may as well buy a new Ipod since battery replacement costs nearly as much as buy one.

New Ipod Mini's can be had for $150 on eBay so it's a great time to buy one. Though the Ipod Nano replaced it, it's a stellar MP3 player to own provided you don't need mega-storage.

I was lucky enough to get one of these literally 5 minutes before the store sold out. I have the 6gb version, which is identical to this one except for the capacity (and the price - it was $50 more than this 4gb version). I also have a 40gb 4th generation iPod, an iPod shuffle, and I have owned and used MP3 players by Creative and iRiver.

The new "2nd generation" iPod mini builds on the strengths that made the original mini a blockbuster best-seller: easy to learn, easy to use, elegant user interface, immensely usable "click-wheel," and outstanding sound quality. Since the original mini was introduced a year ago, some competitors appeared that offered higher capacity, better battery life, and lower price. This new iPod mini answers the competition with some important improvements which make it a compelling choice over the competition:

1) Battery life is now 18 hours instead of 8 hours for the first generation mini.

2) The 2nd generation mini is cheaper: the original mini was $250 for 4 gigabytes of storage, which holds up to 1000 songs. The new mini is $200 for 4 gigabytes, or you can pay $250 for 6 gigabytes (up to 1500 songs). To achieve this price drop, though, Apple no longer includes a dock or charger - these are available separately, but you can live without them just fine. For example, the battery charges whenever the mini is plugged into your computer's USB port.

In addition to these improvements, there is a minor cosmetic difference, concerning the color choices: gold is no longer an option (it was the worst seller in the original mini), and the other colors are now a bit brighter.

The iPod mini comes with iTunes software to help you organize the music on your iPod, and to transfer music from your CD collection to your player. If you wish, you can use the iTunes software to purchase music from Apple's online store and download them directly to your iPod, but the software absolutely does not push you to do so.

The mini also comes with the same earbuds that accompany every other iPod. They are better than the headphones that come with most MP3 players, but you'll probably want to consider replacing them with something a bit nicer.

Like its predecessor, the build quality of the new iPod mini is excellent, very sturdy, just like all iPods. My 40gb iPod has taken a lot of abuse and has held up extremely well. Plus, I did a fair amount of research on the original mini and it has held up well since it was introduced. So I fully expect that my new iPod mini will last a long time.

I also considered the Creative Zen Micro, the Dell Pocket DJ and the Rio Carbon, which seem to be the closest competitors to the mini. They have more features than the iPod mini, but are not as elegantly designed and their build quality feels a little cheaper than the mini. Plus, as a previous owner of other iPods, I already have a lot of music in Apple's AAC format, which these other players cannot deal with.

I bought 2 used iPods on eBay... the 1st came with accessories such as earbuds, CD, etc., while the 2nd one (this one I am writing about)only came by itself, and the price between the two was only about $5. I bought the 2nd without looking at the fine print. So before you bid, look for an iPod which has as many accessories as possible, because without an important one like the CD, you are dead in the water. On this iPod also, the battery didnt last very long before it gave out-deal with a seller which gives you new batteries if at all possible or warrants the existing batteries.

It's easy to use and I love the color. I love the small size. It's excellent for the gym or running outside. You can change the songs that are on the iPod to match your mood.

But it's not just about looks - the iPod Mini sounds fantastic. After comparing it with my third-generation iPod, tracks definitely sounded clearer on the iPod Mini, as if it were capable of better frequency response. By comparison the 3G iPod sounded positively muffled. A sign of PortalPlayer's enhanced audio chip, perhaps.

The Mini's packaging is as lovely as ever. The box lid slides off to reveal the mini wrapped in plastic. The box underneath is split in two halves - one for the install discs and one for the headphones, USB cable and a belt holster. As with all the new iPods there's no Firewire cable, no dock, no remote - but they are available as optional extras. There's no AC adaptor either, so you can only charge when connected to the PC.

There are other missing features that might give pause for thought, such as a radio, recording function and microphone. But if it's just a player you want these absences won't be noticed. For me the only reason I wouldn't want one is that I do want to carry my entire music collection around with me. Or at least more of it than I could fit on a 6GB drive.

One day of course, a 20GB iPod will be this size, but for now six gigs is your limit. At this capacity it no longer loses out to the Zen Micro and H10, but while Creative and iRiver have both worked hard on improving the look and usability of their players, the Mini is still miles ahead. With its rounded sides and neat click-wheel interface, it feels right in you hand and is easy to control and use too.

Verdict
With the new iPod Mini, Apple has increased its capacity by a 50 per cent, battery-life by one-and-a-quarter times and improved sound quality. It's a pretty impressive triple whammy and as long as its capacity is large enough for you, the iPod Mini would be our recommended digital audio player.

jamieday83

I got my iPod mini in January 2004. It was stolen in October 2005. I miss my iPod Mini. It went everywhere with me. It was awesome. Battery lasted long. Good sound. It even came with an iTrip. That way i could listen to it on the radio in my car or on the radio in the house. I took it to the gym everyday. Dropped it 1000's of times. It never broke. It never skipped. It was perfect. I am 21 and VERY active. My iPod was a godsend, the BEST birthday present i ever got. Highly recommended.!!!!

I bought it because i was tired of buying new ipods and my children either losing them or someone taking the ipod. Got very expensive with 3 children. I figured with a used ipod I wouldnot spend alot and it would be something. As it turned out I purchased a 6gb ipod mini. I gave it to my oldest daughter as a graduation present. Works very well and is still around amazingly. thanks again!!

I absolutely love my iPod. I did a ton of research and found it fared better than the new Nanos as far as durability, customer satisfaction, etc. I bought mine used with no warranty. My only complaint (which is why I gave it "good" instead of "excellent" is that the battery does not last nearly the potential 18 hours as advertised -- but I probably get a good six to eight hours out of it. That being said, it charges quickly so I just charge it whenever the first dot disappears and haven't had a problem at all. I LOVE having all my CDs, downloaded music, etc., in one location -- I can take it from car to car to home to work, etc. I would buy one again in a heartbeat!!

As someone who looses their keys, steps on sunglasses, and generally drops everything she owns at least once, the Apple Ipod Mini suits me much better than its contemporary smaller partner, the Apple Ipod Nano. The Nano scares me since it is so compact that I feel like I would put it in my back pocket and sit on it and therefore crack it's fragile casing. The Mini however is small, yet imposing on my pockets therefore making me aware of it as I move about the metro. And I have dropped it once since I have owned it, and now it just has a slight ding on one of its corners, purely cosmetic and it still plays great. It functions the same as a Nano, holds as much as a Nano, and comes in all the fun colors that Nano does, but for the clumsy butter-fingered space-cadet individuals out there, the Mini eases our stress-levels just that tad bit more.

Its old school apple. It is a modern day mp3 player with a retro look to it. I love its simple and easy to use interface. I will get a lot of people asking me where I bought it.

I am very happy with my Ipod mini. It came at a price that's lower than most good newer Ipods ($60) and works just as well. The battery has lasted as long as the seller said it would (about 18 hours). I have been able to run with it and it works just fine. I'm very pleased with my Ipod and would buy from this seller again.

NOT RECEIVED
MY 12 YEARS SON IS OFFSET, BECAUSE HE TOOK HIS SAVINGS TO BUY THAT AND NEVER RECEIVED IT
AS SOON AS THIS SELLER WAS OUT OF EBAY I TOLD HIM THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SHIPPING PROBLEMS

I thought I was getting an American IPOD, instead I got a Chinese version....the reason for this was the original sellers(in the USA) account got hijacked by someone in china.....the product was a total disaster, non functional across the board, and it was a 2Gb that was sent, and it was a NANO and not the mini that I ordered.......

The description said it wasn't holding a charge-said it just needed a new battery. When I received it, it was completely dead. I bought a new battery, and because of the age and condition when we opened it (had to buy a special tool to do that as well) the speaker outlet fell off and we were not able to put back on, so the iPod was worthless since they were no sound device. I doubt I will buy anything that expensive again unless it's brand new with a warranty. Plus we had to wait quite a long time to receive, with several emails back and forth before we got it.

Battery stopped charging within a day and half. Very disappointing. Unable to replace. Would not recommend.

I've been wanting an ipod for a while and I finally decided to check out ebay for one. I found a blue one, which is my favorite color. It works great and I purchased a full 2 year warranty so I don't live in fear that suddenly it will stop working and I'm just out of money, luck and music!!

This is a great product that my kids helped me to purchase. Looking at the cost of the new ones at stores, I decided to try looking on ebay and low and behold it was less expensive and I recieved it in only 4 days. I love listening to my IPod when I exercise and even when doing housework. The only down side is when you have it on nice and loud and someone comes home and startles the living daylights out of me!!!! I would recommend it for a wide variety of ages (I am 47). The book is easy to use but if you have a teenager or young adult the lesson is quicker! Great product!!

Very fast dellevery from seller.
But when i got it, it look a little bit used. So i dont know if i have gotten a used ipod or a new, because it wasnt shipped in the original package.
The seller said it was new.
The batteri time is useless, after charging for a night i can use it maybe 1 hour then it turns off.
So be carefull with ipod purchases, be shure you get it with the original package...

This 2nd generation iPod mini has up to 16 hours of continuous playtime and the batteries don't need to be replaced as often. The design is ultra-compact, and a bit more durable than the newer cousin, the iPod 'nano'.

The 4GB holds 1000 songs, which is the same as the higher-end nano and you can get the mini for a lot less cash.

The only downside, they don't have color screens for photos and such, but that's not too important for me anyway.

Since Apple does not make this unit anymore, prices are very low. It has all the features of an IPOD Nano but it is a by far a more better built unit. Apple supports the IPOD Mini and there are a lot of 3rd party accessories that you can still buy.

love the item except the battery doesnt run very long. i need to get a new one, other than that i love it.

I bought this as a graduation gift. My roomate loves it. It is attached to his hip now. It is in great condition. Thanks a ton. It came quick and not damaged. My roomate also loves the color.

This Ipod is not as "fancy" as the Nanos and newer models but is very affordable (less than $40), has the memory capability of more expensive models and is easier to handle because of its size. It is the third such model I have purchased and find the controls large enough to navigate yet still small enough to put in a pocket. I especially enjoy using it with our Belkin Ipod adapter in the car because it is even easier to see the display and operate while driving /riding. The large quantity of repair parts and their low cost make it even more desireable.