7th-gen Apple iPod: Ultra Everything!

The Apple iPod classic 7th generation offers ultra portable features in a great looking chassis while also being more versatile than most other devices. Utilizing 160GB of storage and offering the ability to play both video and audio while on the go, this is much more than your average MP3 or MP4 player.

Design

Following Apple's previous iPod classic design the new Apple iPod classic 7th generation retains the same comfortable anodized aluminum form but now offers it in black as well, rather than the typical silver. Despite the rounded corners this iPod classic is quite easy to grip and features a 2.5” color LCD screen to go with a fairly responsive Click wheel. Asides from the Click wheel below the screen, there are no other controls but there is a 3.5mm headphone jack along with the dock connector.

Features and Specifications

New users will marvel at how crystal clear the 2.5” screen is as its 320 x 240 pixel resolution is sharp enough to provide smooth video playback and display good quality images. The Apple iPod classic 7th generation packs in a 160GB hard disk drive which can be used as an external hard disk drive for transferring images, videos and other media files. As far as media is concerned this iPod can handle the AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV audio formats. You can also use it to play games with three games bundled into the player right out of the box. You can choose to download other games, videos, TV shows and podcasts off of iTunes which can be played back on the iPod classic after you've synced it.

Performance

Right out of the box the Apple iPod classic 7th generation is an excellent personal media device. For anyone who has used previous iPod classic devices, reliability has always been an issue, with Click wheel errors, freezing screens and crashing iPods. This isn't the case for this iPod as it is extremely reliable. The 160GB worth of space is more than enough for both your video as well as your music collection and in many cases is probably as large as your computer's hard disk drive. With this 160GB iPod classic you no longer need to worry about bringing around an external hard disk drive as you can always use this iPod classic instead. While the anodized aluminum and stainless steel chassis is relatively tough the 160GB hard disk drive cannot take heavy shocks or shaking as the moving parts of the hard disk may get jammed. However, it makes a very good playback system inside a moving car but may get damaged if you bounce a lot when you jog.

Conclusion

All in all, the Apple iPod classic 7th generation is an excellent personal media device that lets you play video, watch podcasts and listen to your entire music collection with plenty of space to spare. While it is still very much portable and reliable on the move, the 160GB hard disk drive it contains can't take sharp impacts or heavy shocks without some resulting damage. However, it can handle small amounts of vibration and should please everybody who is using it.