EmailBest Reviewed
MP3 Players
- Best MP3 player Apple iPod nano *Est. $140
- Best touch-screen MP3 player Apple iPod touch *Est. $280
- Best iPod alternative Microsoft Zune HD *Est. $290
- Best sound quality Sony X Series Walkman *Est. $380
- Budget MP3 player SanDisk Sansa Clip+ *Est. $50
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Best MP3 player
- Video camera
- Fun colors
- Larger, 2.2-inch screen
- Only iPod with an FM radio
- iTunes 9 is required
- Awkward camera lens position
- Click wheel is smaller and harder to use
Reviewers have great first impressions of the new fifth-generation Apple iPod nano, which many call the best nano yet. The most buzz-worthy change from the previous nano is the addition of a video camera, although Apple also added some other nifty features. The new nano is the first iPod to include an FM tuner, and it also adds a pedometer, built-in speaker, Nike+ functionality and VoiceOver. Originally launched on the iPod shuffle, VoiceOver uses text-to-speech technology to read out track and playlist titles. The design is very similar to the previous version, although the colors are glossier and the screen has increased to 2.2 inches. Experts overwhelmingly pick the iPod nano as the best MP3 player, even though they acknowledge that there are other players that offer better audio quality. Their biggest complaint with the new iPod nano is the positioning of the video camera -- the lens is on the back of the iPod at the bottom, where it's easy to get your fingers in the way when taking video. If you have a smaller budget, reviewers also love the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ (*Est. $50 for 4 GB), a tiny MP3 player that packs a ton of value.
Most top reviewers have weighed in on the new iPod nano. We found the best reviews at CNET, PCMag.com, TrustedReviews.com, iLounge.com and ArsTechnica.com. Reviews are nicely detailed, and pros and cons are clearly explained. Shorter reviews are also available at T3.com, Macworld and Pocket-lint.com. Amazon.com has the most user reviews, but the fifth-generation iPod nano has yet to attract as many reviews as older models.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Donald Bell at CNET gives the new iPod nano an "excellent" rating, saying the fifth-generation model is "the best one yet." Bell likes all the new features, but he gripes about the awkward camera placement and the fact that it can't take still pictures.
Review: Apple iPod nano (Fifth Generation, 8GB, Silver), Donald Bell, Sept. 19, 2009
Tim Gideon gives the Apple iPod nano an Editors' Choice award, saying "nothing else in this price range comes close to its ease-of-use and graceful design." He says the video quality is surprisingly good, although he's not a fan of the included earbuds.
Review: Apple iPod nano (5th Generation), Tim Gideon, Sept. 9, 2009
Like most reviewers, ArsTechnica.com questions the placement of the video camera, but editors say it feels more natural after repeated use and they really like the included video filters. Overall, they say there's a lot to like about the new nano.
Review: Apple's Fifth Take: Ars Reviews the iPod nano with Video, Jacqui Cheng & Clint Ecker, Sept. 16, 2009
Britain's TrustedReviews.com recommends the new iPod nano, and reviewer Hugo Jobling says this nano is "inarguably Apple's best yet." He's impressed with the extra features and says he thinks that few MP3 players can rival the nano.
Review: Apple iPod nano 5th Gen 8GB Review, Hugo Jobling, Sept. 15, 2009
5. iLounge.com
Although Jeremy Horwitz says the video quality is "mediocre," he raves about the sound quality of the new iPod nano. Horwitz says the new nano is "as close to audiophile-quality as any iPod we've previously tested." Overall, it gets a B+ rating.
Review: Apple Inc. iPod nano (Fifth-Generation), Jeremy Horwitz, Sept. 11, 2009
6. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Jeffrey Wilson at Laptop Magazine says the iPod nano won't wow you with its audio quality, but he thinks it's a good value and loves the slim design. Overall, Laptop prefers the iPod touch.
Review: iPod nano (5th Generation), Jeffrey L. Wilson, Sept. 24, 2009
Christopher Breen at Macworld runs through the nano's new features, concluding that it is a "far more functional, flexible and entertaining iPod than its predecessor." His biggest complaint is the FM reception, which he says is weaker than that found on a car or home radio.
Review: Fifth-Generation iPod nano, Christopher Breen, Sept. 11, 2009
8. T3.com
Katherine Hannaford likes the larger screen, built-in pedometer and video filters on the new iPod nano, but she doesn't appreciate the awkward lens placement. Still, she says the iPod nano is the best MP3 player at this price range.
Review: Apple iPod nano Fifth-Gen 16 GB MP3 Player Full Review, Katherine Hannaford, Sept. 16, 2009
Dan Sung at Pocket-lint.com gives the iPod nano a rating of seven out of 10. Although he wishes the nano could take still pictures, he says he thinks the video camera and bigger screen are impressive, given the nano's size.
Review: Apple iPod nano (5th Gen), Dan Sung, Sept. 14, 2009
10. Amazon.com
Only 20 reviewers comment on the latest Apple iPod nano on Amazon.com. Many reviewers say they think this is the best nano yet, although some question the camera lens placement, and one owner notes that the new nano is not compatible with older car adapter kits.
Review: Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (5th Generation), Contributors to Amazon.com
MP3 Players Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, iLounge.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
1 pick including: Amazon.com, PC World…
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