Apple iPod Classic 80GB Review
Apple iPod Classic 80GB (updated version) – Stores all that you have
iPod Classic, formerly called ‘iPod video” had its fifth generation iPod released in the year 2006 that generated waves with its amazing storage bank of 80GB. Hearing 20,000 songs or playing 100 hrs of video could not get any better. This super-power gadget is designed to be trendy and the features are eye-catching.
Outlook
You have the Apple iPod classic 80GB black, all in scratch prone polycarbonate and metal enclosure with a shiny black color, thick enough as a wafer. The visually rich graphical user interface with ‘cover flow’ is a treat to users. Explore your iPod with the click-wheel to navigate, select the track and volume-control. The screen is scratch-prone and a finger-print magnet, hence, we would highly recommend a protective cover.
Design
The physical appearance of the updated version of the iPod classic 80gb has not changed from the original fifth generation. It still looks sleek with its dimensions being (H x W x D) 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.55 inches and weighs just 5.5 ounces. The iPod is having a soft and shiny plastic fascia and a metallic rear design, both of which, as we mentioned above are scratch prone. Apple can take as example a product of its own kind, the Nano which has a scratch and print proof aluminium casing. This 80GB version of the Apple iPod Classic is available in white and Silver shades.
Classic sports a LCD display of 2.5″ having a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Another improvement that had been made was in the area of the display brightness which has been improved by up to 60 percent. The previous model had a good level of brightness but the increased brightness gives the display a better appeal. Backlights are comparably brighter for the Apple iPod classic 80GB which can be restricted only for viewing videos and photos to save up on battery. Screen brightness can be increased clicking the ‘select’ button, twice.
Enhanced interface:
One of the most impressive design improvements in Apple iPod Classic 80GB 5th Generation is the dramatically enhanced menu system with a strikingly attractive split-screen main menu which has the selected track on the right half and the picture related to the album on the left. The same split-screen magic can be viewed for other menu items too, such as podcasts, photos and movies.
The ‘cover flow’ system makes its classic debut with an emphasis on album-artwork. The noticeable lag found in the cover flow makes it quite an engaging, yet slow way to browse your music.
Features
Support for video, music playbacks, photos, podcasts and games, remain unchanged though the classic encompasses many of the features seen in portable video players. It recognizes and skips chapter-markers and can automatically resume video playback where you last left off. A small touch which is easy to miss is the newly evolved music shuffle function which helps you to randomize songs until you find an artist you enjoy.
iPod classic 80gb Fifth Gen from Apple uses the iTunes version 7 which was initially released with a lot of bugs and then later updated with the corrections made. The iTunes store contains a huge library of audio and video entertainment which can be synced to the new Apple iPod classic 80GB. Audio-books available at the iTunes store will cater to the needs of voracious readers who wish to have their slice of reading through the iPod.
The classic is another seamless integration of various other pleasurable features which includes three interesting games, that include Tetris, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Pac-Man giving you yet another way to stay distracted and unique photo slide-shows which can be put up along with music to make one’s still-memories come alive. One enhancement that Apple has to consider in the games sector in its next iPod is that, the start-up time of the games has to be reduced; currently it is 12 seconds which is no-good.
Apple iPod classic 80GB fifth generation has a built-in search mechanism, enabling to locate the song of your choice based on any available category within the bat of an eyelid. One of the categories that you might frequently use is the alphabet style instant search which creates a list of the albums, artists and tracks with the starting letter being the first alphabet that you have entered. You would have real fun in watching the results come-up dynamically as you enter each letter. But, remember that you will have to hit on the done button in order to browse through your search results, which might at times be quite annoying.
The absence of gapless playback is one of the criticisms that Apple had to face with its previous models. This updated model of Classic has well responded by including gapless playback which is a great news for the dance music lovers.
The headphone has been enhanced and sounds good, but they found it really hard to stay firmly in ears.
Performance enhanced:
Taking ‘sound quality’ into consideration, though users do get 20 equalization presets to choose from, there can still be room for improvement. The 2.5 inches of screen is having a greater resolution, making it very impressive. Apart from the increased storage and upgraded interface, the enhanced battery life makes it a more mature iPod, many steps wiser than its predecessors.
Battery and included accessories:
The battery life has been increased largely by around 75% from its predecessor. Now you get up to 6.5 hours of video life and about 20 hours of audio life. By boosting its battery life, Apple iPod classic has become more appealing.
Apple has done a good job by reducing the accessories that comes in the packaging. The package contents include the Apple iPod Classic 80GB itself, a set of ear buds that are newly designed, a proprietary USB cable, a soft case, and a dock adapter. You will not find a separate power adaptor which you will have to get for some extra dollars. iTunes software is also not included which will end-up as a head ache for users those who do not have access to the net.
Final Touch
Address book, built in clock, calendar and 21 languages completes the look of the Apple iPod classic 80GB fifth generation with screen-locking facility as the icing on the cake. An ultimate blend of use and aesthetics, it is a top-tier product and a listener’s dream come true.
Verdict:
Apple has given a great deal of consideration in reducing the price of this fifth generation classic with a lot of under-the-hood improvements, yet it does not completely satisfy the video lovers. The absence of any major improvements such as the FM radio, wireless recording, the small size of the display which limits the video viewing experience with a very narrow video-format compatibility, the use of proprietary USB cable and the scratch prone body are all the negatives that makes us hesitant to highly recommend this product of Apple. Some of the improvements that are most welcome by us includes the enhanced video battery life, brighter display, gapless playback, instant search and enhanced games which give the product an excellent value.
The cost of the ipod is the seller point, Apple has certainly made it very affordable.
Check latest Apple iPod reviews, Apple iPod Classic 160gb Reviews in this website.
Fifth Generation Apple iPod Classic 80GB - Technical Specification Table
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Model Name | Apple ipod classic 80GB black |
| iPod Type | iPod Classic |
| Generation | Fifth |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 103.5 x 61.8 x 13.5 mm |
| Display | 2.5 inch diagonal color LCD with LED back light |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixel |
| Interface | USB 2.0 or power adapter |
| Audio formats supported | ACC, MP3, MP3 VBR, audible , WAV, AIFF |
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery |
| Battery life | 5hrs video play back 30hrs audio play back |
| Charge time | Fast charge time - 2hrs ( charges 80% of battery capacity) Full charge time - 4hrs |
| Memory capacity | 80 GB |
| Photo formats supported | JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PSD, PNG |
| Ports | Stereo minijack (3.5 mm) / dock connector |
| Video formats supported | MPEG-4 (mp4), h.264 |
| Play back modes | All tracks repeat, one track repeat, play list, random play/ shuffle |
| AC adapter included | No |
| Ear phones | Yes (binaural stereo) |
| Photo viewer | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB cable included | Yes |
| Voice recording | No |
| Wireless internet access | No |
| Special features | Metal casing, built-in clock, file browser, 21 languages, stop watch, calendar, photo viewer, address book, video playback, game function, ID3 tags support. |
| Body housing material | Aluminum |
| Colors available | Black , Silver |
| Included accessories | Docking station adapter |
| Service & support | 12 months parts 12 months labor |
| Weight | 4.9 oz or 140 grams |
| Box content | Apple ipod classic 80GB in black Ear phones USB2.0 cable Dock adapter Quick starter guide |
| Warranty | One year |
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