Apple iPod 20 GB Photo White MA079LL/A (4th Generation) | 
 enlarge | Brand: Apple
Category: CE
List Price: $249.99
Buy Used: $104.99
You Save: $145.00 (58%)
New (1) Used (7) Refurbished (3) from $104.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  100 reviews
Sales Rank: 7420
Color: White
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
Clothing Size: 20G
Size: 20G
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 5 x 5 x 4
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: MA079LL/A
Model: MA079LL/A
UPC: 718908999745
EAN: 0718908462140
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Features:
| • | Stores up to 5,000 songs or 20,000 photos; supports AAC Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF audio formats; and podcast ready | | • | 2-inch (diagonal) 65,536-color LCD with LED backlight | | • | Up to 15 hours of music playback; up to 5 hours of slideshows with music | | • | Comes earbud headphones, AC adapter, and USB 2.0 cable | | • | Compatible with Mac OS X v10.2.8 or v10.3.4 or later; Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Accessories: Earbud earphones, AC adapter, Rechargeable Battery, USB 2.0 connect cable, iTunes for Mac and Windows, Electronic documentationand Getting Started guideThe classic design and controls of the iPod are still here but, in addition to storing music, this iPod can also store and display photos. This iPod incorporates the same touch-sensitive Apple Click Wheel that debuted on iPod mini for extremely convenient and easy control. Spin the wheel to scroll effortlessly through dozens of playlists, hundreds of albums or thousands of songs and podcasts. Use iTunes software (for Macintosh and Windows PC) to download a wide range of music and audio (at a reasonable charge). As for the CDs you already own, iTunes makes it easy to transfer your favorite songs and albums. Just pop a CD into your Mac or PC and click the Import button. You can import music in a variety of formats, such as MP3 or AAC, and at whatever quality level you'd prefer. With a dual-volt power supply (USA adapter provided), this iPod is your companion around the world. Make this one yours. Supported photo display formats - Syncs iPod-viewable photos in JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only) and PNG formats
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 95 more reviews...
 iPod Moves to All-color Line-up July 4, 2005
232 out of 242 found this review helpful
Passionate iPod users know at least one thing about the iPod line-up, and that is they are always changing. The new full-size iPods have moved to an all-color line-up, and that is a good thing. The new 20 GB iPod with color display is 0.06 inches thicker than its 20 GB monochrome-display predecessor. However, after a little use, the small increase in size does not seem significant. Plus, the bonuses are rich.
This 20 GB iPod with color display has a battery that lasts three hours longer than the previous 20 GB with monochrome display. That brings the total to approximately 15-hours, which is great as it allows you to use your iPod longer in every day circumstances before charging, while also giving you the power needed to fly almost anywhere in the world, on a single charge. Compare this to some of the earlier iPods that had only eight hours of battery life.
What does the color screen add, for you might ask, "I'm listening to music, why a color screen?" Well, album art is one benefit. The iPod displays the album art, when playing songs, which helps create the feeling for the album. Furthermore, iTunes works with iPhoto on Mac and Adobe products on PC, in order to transfer your photo libraries to your iPod. You can then view your cherished photo libraries on the go, which might come in handy when you're telling the story of that huge fish no one seems to believe. However, the best part of iPod with color is that you can buy the optional photo adapter, plug it into the dock connector on your iPod, and transfer photographs direct from your digital camera via USB. This allows you to move potentially gigabytes of photographs to your iPod, while on vacation, freeing up the memory card in your camera. This is truly a time and money saver! You can return from vacation with thousands of images that would have never fit on your camera's memory card alone. Finally, you can view slideshows of photographs, and even display them on television, with optional A/V cables sold separately.
Why has the storage not increased on the $299 model, when switching from monochrome display to color? Apple is obviously choosing to give you the features of a color display without increasing price, rather than increase the size of storage on the base iPod at this time, and it is a good decision! 20 gigabytes is an ample-size iPod, for almost everyone. Few people have more than a few gigabytes of music, and that leaves you with several more gigabytes for photos, backing up files, and future-proofing. However, if you do have more than 20 gigabytes of music, and you want to backup some of your computer files to your iPod, you might choose the 60 GB model, although it is even thicker in size. However, that is going to be a select group, for 20 GB truly shines, and it is ideal for almost everyone. A good value, at this time, is the now discontinued 30 GB iPod photo, which has identical features and dimensions as the new 20 GB color. The 30 GB can still be found at the time of writing this, for between $330 and $350.
Mac or PC? This iPod works beautifully with either a Mac or PC. However, on a Mac, you'll immediately enjoy the synchronization of iTunes, your contacts, iCal calendars, Backup software, and of course iPhoto. On PC, you will have iTunes, but you'll need a third-party application from Adobe to sync photos the right way, while, you can find some shareware on the Internet that will allow you to sync other information, addresses, etc. that you might be interested in trying out.
Finally, Podcasting! The newest version of iTunes is 4.9, and it features Podcasting support. Podcasts are internet radio broadcasts, and there are thousands covering nearly every subject imaginable, and more are coming out every day. Podcasts are quickly becoming popular content on iPods around the world. Check them out, and this iPod supports Podcasts out of the box.
Appearance - The iPod is beautiful, but the back's chrome finish is prone to scratches, and the screen can become scratched as well. It is a very good idea to protect the back of the iPod and the screen in some way. There are many cases and protectors out there, and you will surely find something you like.
Overall, this is another excellent product from Apple Computer. The design is elegant, simple, and intuitive. It will provide hours of entertainment and convenience. Enjoy your iPod experience.
Believe the hype July 13, 2005
198 out of 211 found this review helpful
I have used three different iPod models since they were released a few years ago. They keep improving with age. What's great about this model:
1. previously, I had problems with battery life dissipating after a month or so of use (and I use mine hard; it's on at least six hours a day), but that hasn't happened with this one. I find that I get right around 15--fifteen!--hours of battery life on a charge. However, if I go two or more days between use, the battery runs itself down to almost nothing;
2. the vibrant colors are a wonderful change. Compared to the iPod Photo, the old black-and-white models look positively antiquated. The font on the Photo is updated as well;
3. to my untuned ear, I cannot tell the difference between what I hear on my earbuds and the CD the music came from. Sound quality is, as always, excellent;
4. the price drop. I paid $399 for my last 40g model and $299 for this 20 gig product, which is far superior to its predecessor. I don't need 40 gigs of space, so I was happy to make the compromise to save $100;
5. picture quality on the iPod is quite (surprisingly) good. It's like carrying an entire photo album with me. I have over 2,200 songs and 1,300 photos stored on my machine and it's little more than half full; and
6. it's frighteningly easy to use. I--a fairly competent computer, etc., person--have had a few glitches (see below) but nothing major. For the most part, you install the software, load some CDs on your comp, plug in the iPod, and go. I talked my mom through this process over the phone in under 15 minutes--this from a woman who asked that I "explain that whole e-mail thing again" to her.
What I'm not crazy about:
1. I'm not sure how the album art is stored; namely, why some have it and others don't. Anything downloaded from iTunes will have it, and some stuff from my own music collection does, too, but I can't figure out a pattern and have been too lazy to research it. Less than half of my music has album art to display without me manually adding it to iTunes;
2. I know that the "random" feature is the result of a complex algorithm and has, in fact, been proven to be truly random, but my iPod has a propensity for picking certain tracks while never playing others;
3. to lower the price, Apple's skimped on the accessories that come included with the iPods. In this model, no dock or case were provided as when I bought my 40g b&w model;
4. the displays on iPods scratch ridiculously easily. I recommend picking up an iSkin which is a colorful jacket that fits over the iPod and comes with a screen protector that works really well. Apple sells these for about $30 but they can be had on eBay for a third of the cost;
5. no way to delete songs directly from the iPod and no way to load photos onto the machine. Both of these things must be done from a computer; and
6. I hate being tied to iTunes. The software itself is good and improving all the time (the new version with PodCast capability is wonderful), but it's simply the fact that I don't have a choice in the matter. If you have an iPod, you HAVE to use iTunes, and that's irksome.
A quick word on Apple's customer service: if you register your iPod with them, you can request repairs or replacement parts for accessories at (usually) no charge within a year of purchase. So when your earbuds begin to fray (and they will), you can get a new pair simply for asking. I've done this four times with no problems, free of charge. They even ship new parts for free via FedEx. Whoa.
If you've been going back and forth on whether to buy one of these or not, I heartily encourage you to do so. They've never been more affordable or, well, awesome.
I waited a year researching and jumped at the $50 off the color iPOD. October 27, 2005
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
The Apple 20 GB iPod Photo MA079LL/A was originally $300 and since its now on sale at $250, I finally bought this model after looking at various mp3 players for a year.
Now I'm a PC person and was originally afraid of compatability. I use the new iTunes 6. Apple seems to constantly update the program with new features (like improved Podcasts support) Old version is in the box on a disc, download the latest when you install your player.
At first I thought hey I want to use Real Player or Window's Media player with my ipod. But I find it helpful to keep what's on your ipod and what's on your PC in separate programs because once the tunes are on your ipod you can erase them from your PC to save space. And iTunes 6 has many functions that customize your ipod player that just arent' available in other PC based mp3 players. Then you can set it up to automatically rip CDs as soon as you put it in the drive. The ACC encoding available in iTunes and Real player sounds better with smaller files than WMAs.
I consider myself a golden ear and while no player will match a Home Theater/ Audiophile experience, I found it difficult to distinguish WAV files from the Apple codecs ACC and apple lossless using the included Ear Buds. Using my $100 earphones did sound better than the earbuds but I can't be isolated at work. The iPOD is capable of sounding better with pricier earbods. Just remember with isolation earbuds you can't hear the phone or people yelling at you!
Why buy an Ipod Photo for $250instead of Apple 30 GB iPod with Video Playback Black for $300?
The Ipod Photo is a 4th generation player, the video model is the 5th. I would go with the new Video if you focus on photos since the screen is slightly bigger. Also if you have more than 30 GB of songs on your hard drive and need to carry about 30 GB than pay the extra $50. But using mixed waves, MP3, and ACC, I have 1000 songs and its still not half filled.
I would not buy the nano because if you like music, 4GB will not be enough storage for you.
Now why buy an Ipod instead of a Zen, Iriver or Sandisk?
In my opinion the hardware feel and software quality of the iPOD is superior to these makes, but try them out yourself at a store. They are not significantly cheaper for identical features either.
If you use Napster, and Rhapsody to GO (fill up your player for a monthly fee) you can't use the iPOD at present.
Rhapsody claims you can still buy $0.99 songs for iPOD but Apple's itunes store includes the CD art to display on the color screen.
Yes the iPOD can drag and drop album art in itunes using ACC (best new codec), that are displayed in full color on the screen from right here on Amazon.
But I don't think old MP3s can display the album art which is why some people say it doesn't work.
So I am very happy with the iPOD...
Third iPod in our home--I think I've got it right this time! October 6, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
My first iPod was an iPod mini. Our second was an iPod mini for my husband. Now, for our third iPod, my husband bought me this. I should tell you that I am a cheap person and the fact that I have allowed us to buy 3 of these units is absolutely embarrasing and border line crazy for me. (My husband got this one engraved so I couldn't return it.) So why do I need 2 iPods? Well, I started with the mini because I figured that 1000 songs is more than enough. But it really isn't. First of all, I had a lot more music in my CD library than I realized. Second, there is a lot of free music to be had on the internet. And I am talking about LEGAL music. Amazon alone gave me access to free MP3's that I love. Then in turn, after enjoying this great new music, I needed to buy a song here and there from these great new artists. It adds up! Then there are books to listen to and podcasts and you get the picture. I am about to take a 3 hour trip and I have borrowed a book on CD from the library and have already loaded it onto my iPod so that I have it for the road. No I will not keep it and copy it. I just don't want to take a library item on the road and risk losing it or forgetting it. My point is this--you might think that you don't have enough music to fill this up. However, the iPod will change the way that you listen to music. Take whatever number of songs that you think you would want on your player and double it. If it is over 1000, consider the iPod rather than the nano.
Anyway, when I got my new iPod, several friends asked if they could buy my mini off of me. Well, no! I still use my mini for running and working out. I have no use for the shuffle and the nano is beautiful but really--do I actually need 4 iPods in the house
I have tried other MP3 players. I don't consider myself to be completely incapable on a computer but I could not figure out how to make them work with the computer. I ended up returning them. The iPod might be more expensive, but I love it and I can't imagine going to a different brand.
And to that point, my friend has a Rio. Her husband set it up for her, then went to Iraq. She wants to add more songs but can't figure out how to do it and therefore, hasn't used her Rio nearly as much as I use my iPods.
I really love using both of my iPods. It has changed the way I listen to music!
Finally July 24, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I finally found out why almost everyone who has one,loves his/her iPod.I have purchased 4 flash memory and two HD based mp3 players,and the second I held this one in my hand,it was an epiphany."This is what everyone is raving about!" It feels almost silken in your hand.It's operation is completely ingenious.The sound is incredible.And downloading tracks from iTunes or my vast CD collection couldn't be easier.Even the supplied earbuds are comfortable!! really!! I must have smaller than average ears,because until now,earbuds really hurt.A lot.
Anyway..I'm hooked now,and I can't imagine not having an iPod.What was I thinking???? Live and learn.BTW:This is not to say that the manufacturers of those other mp3players made lousy products.They were all fine,in their own way.But this one is simply the best I've heard/handled/used.Really.
|
|
|
|
