Manufacturer: Apple Computer Model#: M8946LL Weight: 5..6lbs Height: 4..1"     Width: 2..4" Length: " Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars	Retail Price: Unavailable Online Sale Price:
Features: Discontinued by manufacturer, replaced by model #M9244LL/A Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available Equipped with a range of built-in utilities and games More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity) Features redesigned and backlit navigation; includes earbud headphones, AC adapter, FireWire cable, 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire adapter

User Submitted Apple iPod 15 GB White M8946LL/A (3rd Generation) OLD MODEL Reviews (cont...)

I have a laptop with an i.Link (aka 4-pin) FireWire port. Thankfully, included with the package is a small adapter to allow for connection through this port. However (as far as I know), you cannot use this port to charge the iPOD. You have to unplug the FireWire cable from your computer and plug it into the AC adapter thing. So basically, the convenience of having a cradle is completely lost if you rely on i.Link.

There are options. I have USB 2.0 as well, so I'm going to get the nifty dual cable which allows you to charge and sync at the same time as the one input has both USB and FireWire outputs. The only other alternative is to get PC/PCI card with the 6-pin (Mac) FireWire. It's just a shame the original cable isn't a double like the USB one.

With that said, buy it anyways. I was a hardcore MiniDisc fanatic until yesterday; this thing is just cool/useful. Don't cheap out on the 10gb either; the extra carrying case, cradle, and 5gb are well worth the extra hundred clams.

Date: 2003-07-26
All That & More!
... Upon receiving the box from Amazon.com, I did not even want to even attempt to open the Apple box--simply because the neatly packaged device is mesmerizing!

The only minor gripe I had regarding the setting up of the player was the amount of time it took for the included software to be fully installed and formatted onto my Windows PC. But other than that, it was pretty much smooth sailing...

Here are some quick tidbits:
-virtually effortless transition of mp3 files from hard drive to device using MusicMatch (very surprising considering I hate MusicMatch)
-playlist creation is also fairly easy once you get the hang of it
-awesome, and I mean AWESOME blueish-white LCD screen
-handy dandy clock (w/alarm) and calendar settings
-the innovative touch-buttons are simply amazing!

With this latest Apple innovation you get all that it's worth and much, much more. This is undeniably the best mp3 player out on the market today.

Date: 2003-07-22
If your having trouble with musicmatch try XPlay
I suggest to all windows users to get XPLAY. It works great with the IPOD and hasn't given me any problems. My first Ipod broke down...the battery wouldn't charge but, apple was so amazing that they changed it no problem in less than a week!!! They even paid for shipping both ways! This device goes everywhere with me, and now that I have the iTrip too, there is not one radio in anyones car or house that I can't play my songs in...plus it fists nicely in my purse. It is the work of geniuses!

Date: 2003-07-21
Great Product
I am very pleased with the ipod itself and it's very sleek design. Do yourself a favor and do not use ipod w/ musicmatch. Do yourself a favor and download ephpod from ephpod.com and then you will enevr regret it.

Date: 2003-07-18
Shift of the paradigm.
In what has to be the slickest execution of a new piece of hardware yet, this Apple-linked but PC-compatible product will make all portable music players obsolete in no time flat. I have been following trends in this area for a long time, and my last big MP3 player investment was in a SONICblue Jukebox. Wow, how fast things evolve! That machine, cutting edge 2 years ago, had a 6 gig hard drive and allowed only for rather slow uploading of music through its balky software interface via a USB 1.0. In addition, its organizational abilities were limited.
The iPod is about 1/10 the size of the old Jukebox, absolutely ultra high tech looking, with backlighting that awes and controls that work intuitively, and it uploads easily through its firewire cradle or a USB 2.0 (optional) connection.
Music can be categorized and recalled quickly, with the scroll control making it all simple to access.
Sound quality is awesome, its earbuds light years ahead of anything similar. Capacity is incredible (the 15 gig unit will hold 3,700 songs, the 30 gig unit twice that number!) and battery life is just fine. The cradle will recharge and synch the unit to your PC, but I bought the optional car charger for longer road trips. I also bought the FM transmitter that attaches neatly to the unit and allows you to play the iPod through your stereo sans wires, though the cassette adapter works better for that purpose.
A word about Apple's customer service: WOW! I ordered the unit on a Sunday, with the additional $ for custom engraving on its silver back. In an hour I got an email that my order was being processed, and in 6 hours I got an email that it had shipped! The email included a tracking link, and I watched it move from Taiwan across the world in 2 days. I got it on Tuesday evening (!) and it was factory sealed/shrink wrapped and in fine condition. When I opened it (even the packaging is high tech) and took it out of its protective inner wrapper, I was delighted to find the engraving was there and was done just perfectly.
If delivering a great product and offering perfect service is to be lauded, Apple must be given the highest kudos possible.