Features

• 4 GB model holds up to 1,000 songs; supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible (6), and AIFF formats
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
• 1.67 inch (diagonal) backlit screen displays full song names and more
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
• Comes with earbud headphones, belt clip, AC adapter, FireWire cable, and USB 2.0 cable

Reviews (192)

Small But Powerful
The iPod mini is built from the ground up as a portable device for people with fast-paced lives. It's small and lightweight physical dimensions are perfectly suited to be being placed in a pants or shirt pocket without being a burden.

But don't let its light weight fool you into thinking the iPod mini is a pushover. The 4GB hard drive (3.7 GB actual) can hold about 1,000 songs - enough to last almost three full days. The installed software includes four games; a calendar; a notepad; a contact database; a clock; backlight with timer; an alarm clock; and the abilities to customize the main menu; create playlists; and rate songs. All this is in addition to being able to be used as an external hard drive!

However, the most revolutionary aspect of the iPod mini (aside from it's size and weight) is its control interface. Incorporating the 'Menu', 'Pause/Play', 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons directly to the touch sensitive scroll wheel not only creates simplicity from a design standpoint, but form a user one as well. Accessing these controls is a breeze. Thankfully the touch wheel is designed well enough that accidental pressing of a control is unlikely to occur since you have to press down a bit to activate the button. I'd actually like to see the entire iPod line adopt this interface.

Some people complain that the iPod mini is only slightly cheaper than the 20 GB iPod and offers a lot less storage space. But what you loose in storage space you gain in portability. It is also important to consider that compared to other players of its size and weight, the iPod mini offers much more storage space, many more features, and a better music jukebox in iTunes 4.0.

I want to carry the most music I can in the smallest possible device that offers the best interface and features. For me, that device is unquestionably the iPod mini. If you have similar demands of a portable music device, the iPod mini is sure to become a permanent accessory to your lifestyle.

Small in Size not in Functionality
The iPod mini is built from the ground up as a portable device for people with fast-paced lives. It's small and lightweight physical dimensions are perfectly suited to be being placed in a pants or shirt pocket without being a burden.

But don't let its light weight fool you into thinking the iPod mini is a pushover. The 4GB hard drive (3.7 GB actual) can hold about 1,000 songs - enough to last almost three full days. The installed software includes four games; calendar; notepad; contact database; clock; backlight with timer; alarm clock; and the abilities to customize the main menu; create playlists; and rate songs. All this is in addition to being able to be used as an external hard drive.

However, the most revolutionary aspect of the iPod mini (aside from it's size and weight) is its control interface. Incorporating the 'Menu', 'Pause/Play', 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons directly to the touch sensitive scroll wheel not only creates simplicity from a design standpoint, but form a user one as well. Accessing these controls is a breeze. Thankfully the touch wheel is designed well enough that accidental pressing of a control is unlikely to occur since you have to press down a bit to activate the button. I'd actually like to see the entire iPod line adopt this interface.

Some people complain that the iPod mini is only slightly cheaper than the 20 GB iPod and offers a lot less storage space. But what you loose in storage space you gain in portability. It is also important to consider that compared to other players of its size and weight, the iPod mini offers much more storage space, many more features, and a better music jukebox in iTunes 4.0.

I want to carry the most music I can in the smallest possible device that offers the best interface and features. For me, that device is unquestionably the iPod mini. If you have similar demands of a portable music device, the iPod mini is sure to become a permanent accessory to your lifestyle.

Asin: B000238CUK
Sales Rank: 109551

Features

• Color: Oak/Black
• Size: 2 1/2"H x 24"W x 15 1/2"D
• This lap desk has a flexible lamp that extends up 5 in.
• Built in pencil compartment and elastic straps keep things where you need them.
• Styrofoam-bead cushion makes it comfortable in your lap. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included).

Asin: B00011TOS2
Sales Rank: 14544

Reviews (7)

Finally, the PERFECT alarm clock!!!
I looked everywhere for the perfect alarm clock and finally found it with this Sony ICF-CD863V.

This clock is EASY to use. You don't need to spend 1 hour reading the manual before getting it all set up. It's EASY!

The buzzer is AWESOME!!! I LOVE the buzzer! It's SOFT, it doesn't startle you while you are deep asleep, yet it is loud enough that you can hear. I love it.

The light on the display adjusts itself automatically depending on the darkness of the room. Sooo cool!

I love using the CD feature and the sound is just AMAZING!

This is just a VERY NEAT product for a great price compared to the competition. You will not go wrong when buying this alarm clock!

Great alarm clock for the price
This is a great alarm clock. I have trouble waking up in the morning, but the alarm volume is perfect. I don't think that the controls are awkward at all and I have no problem turning it off in the morning. The sound is also adequate for an alarm clock (after all, you're not buying it for surround sound or digital quality...it's an alarm clock). The only flaws that I found are the lack of battery backup...not a problem for me because I live on the smae block as a school, so my power never goes out, but I can see how it would be an issue. I was also disappointed to find that the gentle wake feature only applies to the buzzer, not the CD and radio. I believe previous models had this feature for all alarms, and it was a big selling point for me, but my overall satisfaction with the product outweighs my displeasure with this. A great buy for the money. Not quite a Bose, but it is a Sony.

Mostly a pretty good product
I bought this cd alarm clock a month ago and it has been working out pretty well. I use and really like the automatic display dimming feature, which brightens the display when there's lots of light and turns it way down in the dark. The FM/AM reception is pretty good and actually better than my Kenwood home theater receiver. The dual alarm feature was important to me when I was shopping for an alarm clock, and this product has a handy triple alarm feature. I am able to wake up to random tracks on a cd I made specifically to wake up to (although you can wake up to the same specific track if you want.) I also love and use the "Gentle Sleep" feature, so I can go to sleep listening to the radio.

One of the cons is that the display can be difficult to read from across the room and when in bed, if you're not on the exact horizontal plane as the alarm clock. However, these issues don't bother me too much because I'm used to checking the time on my watch or phone, and in bed, it doesn't bother me to have to raise my head to see the clock. I'd actually rather not see exactly what time it is all the time on one of those more sleepless nights, as I'm sure a lot of people can appreciate. I also like it to be as dark as possible when I sleep, so an overly bright display was a concern. This unit, while it doesn't dim completely, does not bother me at night.

The only issue that I consider a major one since I'm pretty picky about speaker quality and sound, is that the tiny speakers on this system (I think there are perhaps 3) are crap and start to pop and crackle when the bass level is turned up more than half way and you don't even have the volume that high. But alarm clocks are not known for their great sound, however I'd expect more from Sony at the price you pay for this unit. A workaround for this clock and actually any other with a headphone jacks, is to use that jack for a pair of quality bookshelf/computer desktop-type speakers and I'm sure this product would then be perfect.

Overall: features -- execellent; ease-of-use -- excellent; sound options -- good; speaker quality -- poor.