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

Review summary: The new "enhanced" iPod looks like a tremendous improvement over the last one, with a brighter screen and better battery life.

Review summary: The new "enhanced" iPod looks like a tremendous improvement over the last one, with a brighter screen and better battery life.

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: Pricing is a huge aspect here; $380 for the 30GB iPod, as far as I know, is the best price for a 30GB player I've ever seen. And for another $100 or so, you get 80GB! Nice job there, Apple. For me personally, the gapless playback and better battery ...

Review summary: So far so good - but then there's U2. For the $30 extra you'll pay, you get… a red nav-wheel, some signatures and a voucher for a free video. If this is worth the money to you, great. In truth the styling is quite nice, and it shouldn't take too long ...

Verdict: A great media player, but the U2 styling just isn't worth the extra cash you have to pay.

Review summary: Given the brouhaha surrounding Apple's latest player, one might assume its name is the Video iPod. But it is simply an iPod, the fifth generation. I tested a 30GB model ($299 as of 7/21/06; Apple also offers a 60GB version for $399.). The big story is ...

Pros: High audio quality High audio quality ; Screen is bright and sharp

Cons: iTunes doesn't convert video for iPod

Verdict: The battery life of the new iPod is reasonable: When I played back the aforementioned videos, the unit lasted around 2.5 hours--not great, but long enough for most commutes. Apple claims the iPod will last up to 14 hours when playing audio. You ...

Review summary: Apple continues its 'unique' partnership with U2 in the form of this new 30GB video iPod, which replaces the original 20GB U2 iPod introduced in 2004. The band-branded music player is now fully encased in black, front and back, and still sports the ...

Pros: Distinctive colour, band signatures, free U2 video, full-featured current video iPod

Cons: £20 more than regular iPod, featured U2 memorabilia seems a little light

Verdict: For most people the decision will come down to the price and how much they love U2. If you're a fan and like to collect anything associated with the band, you probably already own the older U2 iPod. If you've considered upgrading to a video-enabled ...