Article summary

Apple’s iconic media player now has an all-metal design, new interface and even more storage. What’s not to like?

Manufacturer's Description

Hold Everything

Decisions, decisions. Who needs ’em? Why should you have to choose what to put on your iPod? With up to 160GB of storage, iPod classic lets you carry everything in your collection — up to 40,000 songs or up to 200 hours of video — everywhere you go. In a completely new, even thinner, all-metal design, this iPod is a modern classic.

Overview

With 80GB or 160GB of storage(1), iPod classic gives your music and video room to move. It also has plenty of energy (up to 40 hours of audio playback 2), good looks (a sleek, all-metal design), and a great personality (a brand-new interface with Cover Flow). In other words, iPod classic makes an ideal companion. Why not get to know it better?

Cover Flow

If a picture says a thousand words, think of what all the album art in your collection might say. With Cover Flow on iPod classic, you can flip through your music to find the album you want to hear. Use the Click Wheel to browse music by album cover, then select an album to flip it over and see the track list.

Music

Use the Click Wheel to adjust volume, navigate songs, browse in Cover Flow, or explore the Music menu by playlist, artist, album, song, genre, composer, and more. Want to mix things up? Click Shuffle Songs. iPod classic makes your music look as good as it sounds, thanks to its big, bright, colour display.

New Apple iPod Classic Movies

Buy movies from the iTunes Store and you can sync them to your iPod classic to watch anywhere, anytime. The gorgeous 2.5-inch display makes your movies pop. And iPod classic keeps you entertained for up to 7 hours. Long flight or darkened room? Adjust the brightness for even more video playback time.

TV Shows

There’s always something good on iPod classic. Browse thousands of episodes of your favorite TV shows on the iTunes Store then sync them to iPod classic. Watch last night’s episodes this morning, or buy a whole TV series and play a pocket-size marathon.

Podcasts

The iTunes Store features thousands of free video and audio podcasts, including indie favorites and offerings from such big names as ABC News, Comedy Central, ESPN, PBS, NPR, and many more. Browse and subscribe to podcasts, then sync them to your iPod classic. You can even play video podcasts on TV using an optional Apple component or composite AV cable.

Audiobooks

The digital shelves of the iTunes Store are stocked with thousands of audiobooks — including exclusives like the entire Harry Potter series — so you can catch up on your reading wherever iPod classic takes you. iPod classic recognizes where you left off and bookmarks your place. You can even adjust the reading speed to suit you.

Games

Put hours of fun at your fingertips. iPod classic comes with three games — Vortex, iQuiz, and Klondike — and you can download more from the iTunes. All iPod games are designed specifically for the iPod interface. And all of them look great on the 2.5-inch colour display.

Photos

iPod classic holds up to 25,000 photos you can sync from your Mac or PC via iTunes. Use the Click Wheel to scroll through photo thumbnails the same way you scroll through song titles. To see a photo full screen, click the center button. You can even view photo slideshows — complete with music and transitions — on iPod classic or on a TV using an optional Apple component or composite AV cable.

Search

With up to 40,000 songs1 on your iPod classic, you need an easy way to search your collection. A built-in search function lets you use the Click Wheel to type out the name of the song, artist, album, audiobook, or podcast you’re looking for. iPod classic returns results instantly as you select letters.

Extras

Calendars, contacts, and a clock appear in the Extras menu, along with a few more handy items. Take the screen lock, for example. Spin the Click Wheel to choose a four-digit combination and protect your iPod classic from prying eyes. If you forget your combination, just reset when you sync. Or use the built-in stopwatch to log your best times.

1. 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.

2. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2007 using preproduction hardware and software. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.

iPod classic
Earphones
USB 2.0 cable
Dock adapter
Quick Start guide

Customer's review

Non-Technical Review

The Good:
First things first - it is sexy. I bought a mirrored case which protects it well but I wanna have it so I can see it cos it does look great (although I will be devastated with the inevitable scratches!).

Space and speed really is impressive considering the size. Picture quality is awesome. Coverflow is pointless but cute for novelty value. I don't use the contacts or calendar so no comment on that. Sound quality is fab, with the right earphones.

The whole package of iTunes and the iPod itself are super easy to use.

The Bad:
The click wheel is a bit slow to respond. I also think that the volume just isn't loud enough. It's okay for music in most circumstances (but not all) but for things like podcasts which aren't always great quality it just doesn't cut it for me and I have pretty good hearing. But saying that everyone complains about the apple headphones and they are a bit poop (I am currently choosing alternatives). But it is def significantly quieter than the older 30gb.

The Ugly:
I already told you - it is far from ugly - it is super sexy!

In conclusion ...
In my humble opinion, you can't get a better value for money mp3 player with regards to size, weight, quality, looks and reliability, I searched for a while as I hate to be persuaded by hype and apple have plenty of that. And ... Yeah mine has crashed a couple times but every bit of technology does from time to time - don't moan ... that is life!

iPod Classic - serious audio

I've owned an iPod 3G, U2, 5G and now a Classic. The 5G is significantly better in sound than the 3G, and the Classic is even better. The ability of it to play tunes and articulate detail easily matches audiophile cd players. BUT you can only hear this on decent 'phones, like the in-ear Etymotic ER4Ps - the Apple earphones that come with the iPod are rubbish. You need to spend at least as much as the ipod itself on earphones to get what it's capable of.

I'm pleased with it...

I owned one of the old iPod Mini's before this one and was looking to upgrade to this superior model.
I am extremely pleased with this iPod indeed, and despite the cost, I'm glad that I invested in it. After all, I would rather a bit too much for an excellant product than anything on a product riddled with flaws.

The best

i was against getting an i pod for as long as i can remember. i always went for the cheaper mp3's finally after a particulary bad buy, in which i had to send it back, i was pesuaded by my family to get the i-pod 80GB. i colud not be happier with it. i have had it for about two weeks and, touch wood, i have had absolutly no problems with it!! getting music photos and videos onto it is very simple with i-tunes help, it does everything for you. if you get a video converter you can put every single video you could ever want onto it. the quality of sound is fantastic, the reason that people have had problems with the sound quality is that they have clearly not tried using different headphones. the capasity is encredable, i have 4 seasons, 7 films and about 20 home videos, aswell as 500 songs and all my 700 photos and i still have 60GB left!!

This is the best buy ever! the only advice i would give is make sure that you get a case for it because it does scratch easily. i've found a clear plastic one works perfectly as you can still see the stylish desighn and use all of the functions with ease!

good but not great

it certinaly does the job okay but it dosnt recognise my videos as they are im wmv format and it wont take them for some reason ,, also it does scuff quite easily even in my coat pocket the matte has gotten scuffd

but the video you get off itunes are first rate i was shocked at how clear and detailed the videos wear complex lighting effects were fantastic sound quality was also great it is easy to use as well so long as you have i tunes and a resonably well organised music collection