Compare Prices : Apple iPod - U2 Special Edition (30GB, 4th Generation) - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Although the new 5G iPod isn't the "true video iPod" many people were expecting, it's a solid upgrade from its predecessor, offering useful new software features for watching video, playing games, and browsing music, as well as improved hardware in ...

Pros: Lower price and 33 percent more storage than previous 5G iPod ; brighter screen ; improved video-related battery life ; new game support ; gapless playback ; Quick Scroll and search features ; slightly better headphones ; all the features of the ...

Cons: Requires Internet connection to download necessary software ; search feature kludgy ; games drain battery life rapidly ; power adapter not included

Verdict: The other major hardware improvement in the new 5G iPods is longer battery life. Although the actual sizes of the two models haven't changed-4.1 by 2.4 by 0.43 inches for the 30GB model and 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.55 inches for the 80GB model, the same as the ...

Award: Editor's Choice!

Pros: The enhanced iPod has the same sleek design with improved video battery life and brighter screen ; it brings gapless playback to the masses ; up to 80GB ; new features such as instant search and enhanced games ; movies now available in iTunes 7 ; ...

Cons: The Apple iPod has added no major functions such as FM radio, wireless, recording ; small screen not conducive to movie viewing ; proprietary USB cable ; narrow native video-format compatibility ; body is still scratch prone

Verdict: The amazingly low priced updated Apple iPod gets many under-the-hood improvements, but it's still not a true video player.

Pros: The enhanced iPod has the same sleek design with improved video battery life and brighter screen ; it brings gapless playback to the masses ; up to 80GB ; new features such as instant search and enhanced games ; movies now available in iTunes 7 ; ...

Cons: The Apple iPod has added no major functions such as FM radio, wireless, recording ; small screen not conducive to movie viewing ; proprietary USB cable ; narrow native video-format compatibility ; body is still scratch prone

Verdict: The amazingly low priced updated Apple iPod gets many under-the-hood improvements, but it's still not a true video player.

Review summary: After years of suggesting that its iPod platform was "all about the music," Apple Computer eleven months ago released its first iPod with video playback capabilities, the fifth-generation "iPod (with video)" (iLounge rating: A-/B+). A still image from ...

Pros: Better-featured, less expensive updates to last year's top-of-line iPods, featuring brighter 2.5" screens, superior video playback time, a new search feature, superior earbuds, and the option of up to 80GB of storage capacity. Fourteen- to 20-hour ...

Cons: Though improved in brightness and color accuracy over prior version, 2.5" screen is still too small for long-term video viewing, and users still must convert videos to one of only two compatible video formats. Unlike photos and videos, games can only ...

Verdict: the longer battery life is probably due to more buffer memory (ram if you will)all data goes from the hard drive to a buffer (I believe it is flash based) to keep it from skipping with movement and to up battery life (the spinning of the drive is the ...

Review summary: The new

Pros: Improved video battery life and brighter screen, Brings gapless playback to the masses, New features such as instant search and enhanced games, Excellent overall value

Cons: No major new functions such as FM radio, wireless, recording, Small screen not conducive to video viewing, Proprietary USB cable, Narrow native video-format compatibility, Body is still scratch prone

Verdict: The amazingly low priced updated Apple iPod gets many under-the-hood improvements, but it's still not a true video player.