Apple iPod shuffle 1 GB Silver (2nd Generation) Reviews

• Apple 1GB Shuffle - New Lower Price, Same Popular Player, Check it Out!!!

  
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2007-11-16
  
  Apple's iPod Shuffle is a compact MP3 player that's great for working out, running or just plain music listening on the go. The new lower price as of January 2008 makes the relatively high cost of the device a little more bearable. Great as a gift, extra player, or exercise companion.
  
  Pros
  - Newly lowered price!!!!
  - Compact and functional design
  - Nicely integrated clip - No case needed!
  - Great family of Apple accessories
  - Great for those already used to iTunes
  - Included in-ear headphones are great for a starter pair
  - Lots of great color options (silver, green, purple, blue)
  - Highly durable player
  - Apple brand and reputation
  
  Cons
  - Still a premium price compared to competing players (total $ and $ per gigabyte)
  - Competing products offer more features, including fm radio and voice recording
  - No screen to view track names
  - Difficult to control / select tracks via playlists
  - Proprietary dock / jack for syncing
  - Small capacity (1GB) with no expandability
  - Limited native file format support in iTunes (MP3, AAC), though you can easily convert
  - No drag and drop music control
  - Non iTunes fans are still forced to deal with software limitations
  
  The Form Factor
  
  Size has always been the iPod shuffle's greatest asset. The integrated clip is no doubt its second greatest asset. This unit works fine with no extra case, though there are still options. The composite case comes in one of several popular color options, including the silver, blue, green and purple. And of course, the unit's durability is great, probably because of the simple design.
  
  Apple chose to use a proprietary headphone jack for syncing, which most competing players accomplish with a standard USB B port. Overall, still a great design.
  
  Durability
  
  Apple deserves points for the more durable player in this group. Even with the composite body, these guys do hold up to a lot of abuse. Creative's failure rates are too high, but Sandisk's Clip is gaining ground in this area.
  
  Capacity
  
  The 1GB size for the shuffle was the only option from Apple for a long time. The market has been flooded with 2GB players from the competition. In addition to lowering the price in February 2008, Apple finally added a 2GB option available now at Apple stores. Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Silver (2nd Generation) Still, as Apple finally ups their size, Sansa now has their Clip in a 4GB size. SanDisk Sansa Clip 4 GB MP3 Player (Silver)
  
  Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa c150 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk SDMX7-2048 Sansa c250 2 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa Clip 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  
  Features and Software
  
  Competing players over simple screens for track viewing as well as FM radio and voice recording. The Zen Stone Plus by Creative and the Sandisk Clip each offer all three features at better price points. Apple's reliability and brand loyalty has allowed the shuffle to survive with limited features.
  
  Competing players also offer drag and drop syncing using standard USB cables or, in the case of the Sansa Express, via direct USB. Apple still requires the proprietary dock.
  
  For a 1GB MP3 player it seems excessive to have to use iTunes software to sync your software. Competing players have even worse software, but allow you to drag and drop files on these devices like USB thumb drives.
  
  iTunes is both a curse and a blessing, depending on your point of view. For those who are used to iTunes or totally new to MP3s, the interface can be a great plus. For anybody who want more direct control over their music collection, some of the features within iTunes can become burdensome.
  
  Once again, if you LOVE Apple and iTunes, or if you are totally new to MP3s the software will still be a net plus for you.
  
  For those that care about file options, Apple's software allows only MP3 and AAC. You can easily convert other formats to these, but be aware of the limits. This is only a negative for those really loyal to a certain file format, such as the growing group of WMA users. Having to have 2 format copies of all your music can really hurt as your collection grows.
  
  Sound
  
  The sound this unit produces is pretty good though not great. While I still feel the first generation shuffle sounded much better, the tradeoff was worth the smaller size.
  
  Cost
  
  The shuffle's price has finally come down to about $50 for 1GB or $65 for 2GB. While not a bargain, this price makes the sting much less painful for Apple loyalists. On a dollar per gigabyte and absolute dollar cost, Apple continues to charge a premium for their brand.
  
  1GB of flash memory is going for under $10 retail, one fifth the lowered cost of the shuffle. In addition, competing players like the Sansa Clip continue to offer more features at a better prices. If you want a small player and you are open to brands beyond Apple, your options continue to expand. In addition to the Creative Stone and the Sansa Clip, new models from Samsung and Sony have added even more options.
  
  Once again, Apple's reputation is well deserved. This model requires you to pay a premium for it, though a slightly shrinking premium. :-D
  
  Conclusion
  
  If you must have Apple and need a small player for high impact workouts, choose this or one of the new 2GB shuffles. If you want to stay with Apple and can afford it, stepping up to the Apple iPod nano 4GB will cost you $140 but gives you 4 times the capacity and video. Still, if you're not an Apple die-hard, the Sansa Clip and other options deserve consideration.
  
  Research your options and choose the player that's right for you. Overall this is a good player at an improved price.
  
  Enjoy!!!
  
  
  

• Apple 1GB Shuffle - A steep price for a starter MP3 Player

  
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2007-11-16
  The third generation of the iPod Shuffle is similar to the second. It's a great MP3 player for working out or running, especially if you are a die-hard Apple fan. However, the steep price means you had better review all your options before you choose this.
  
  Pros
  - Small size
  - Nice case design
  - Many color options
  - Highly durable player
  - Apple reputation
  
  Cons
  - High price point
  - Less durable shell
  - Proprietary dock for syncing
  - Small capacity (1GB) with no expandability
  - iTunes software with limited formats (MP3, AAC)
  - Competing products offer more capacity for less $$
  
  The Form Factor
  
  This little guy is small! The body has a spring loaded clip on the back so you can clip it to your shirt without any extra case. Apple added a few extra color options, including the popular purple. It comes in a composite case. The 2nd generation's case seemed a little bit more durable.
  
  The basic controls remain the same (fast forward, rewind, pause, and play) to access your music collection. There is a headphone jack which you also use to mount this on the sync dock. A standard USB B port would have been preferable to this as well.
  
  Storage Capacity
  
  Apple made it available only in 1GB sizes, same as the 2nd generation. It would have made more sense to bump it up to at least 2GB. The competing Zen Stone Plus by Creative offers 2GB (twice the songs), an FM tuner and the ability to see song titles for less money. Sandisk also has some lower capacity Sansa models at similar price points.
  
  Creative Zen Stone Plus 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk Sansa M240 1 GB MP3 Player (Silver)
  SanDisk Sansa c150 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  Sandisk Sansa Express 1 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  Sansa Clip 1 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa Clip 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  
  Durability
  
  Apple definitely deserves point for the more durable player in this group. Even with the new player composite body, these guys do hold up to a lot of abuse.
  
  Software
  
  When you only have 1GB to fill, having to use iTunes software to do it seems excessive. Competing players have even worse software, but allow you to drag and drop files on these devices like USB thumb drives. Once again, if you LOVE Apple and iTunes, the software is not going to be an issue for you.
  
  For those that care about file options, Apple's software allows only MP3 and AAC. You can convert other formats to these, but be aware of the limits.
  
  Sound
  
  The sound this unit produces is pretty good for it's size. However, it's just ok. I still feel the first generation shuffle sounded much better, but the trade off was it was much longer.
  
  
  Price Point
  
  This unit is pricy at about $80. As of October 2007, 1GB of flash memory is going for under $10 retail. That's what makes this price somewhat hard to swallow. Once again, Apple's reputation is well deserved. This particular model requires you to pay a premium for it.
  
  If you just want a really small player and you are open to brands beyond Apple, the Creative Zen Stone gives you 1GB for $40 and 2GB for $50. Sandisk's Clip has similarly priced models. While it doesn't have some extras like the stopwatch included with the Creative, it does have the integrated clip like the Shuffle.
  
  If you must have Apple and need a small player for high impact workouts, this is it. If you want to stay with Apple and can afford it, stepping up to the Apple iPod nano 4GB will cost you $140 ($60 more) but gives you 4 times the capacity and the ability to play video.
  
  Overall this is a good player at a price that could be less. Weigh your options and choose the player that's right for you. Enjoy!!!
  
  

• Super little gadget

  
  By A1DXJPAPEASGOK on 2007-09-08
  I have had mine for almost a year now and cannot tell you how happy I am with it! I use it at the gym everyday and have to plug it in to charge maybe every other week. Now that I have one and know how good it works I would pay more then the $79 for it.
  
  

• 3rd Gen Apple iPod Shuffle Fits The Bill For Beginners!

  
  By A1ZM846Y7AUYD on 2007-12-02
  I purchased this iPod shuffle for a young lady of 10. This player really works well for her. She doesn't care about selecting specific songs and has no need to sort by artist or genre. She likes how easy it is to dump songs onto this player, even without the use of iTunes. The Shuffle is really small and has an integrated clip, so it is easy to transport. The sound quality is awesome, for such a small device, and it plays for hours and hours on a battery charge. I think the iPod Shuffle is an item that will only please a certain range of people. After all, there is no display so you cannot select the songs or artists that you wish to listen to in any given order. The player does just what the name implies. It "Shuffles" your music in random order. You still have the basic controls at your fingertips, including track skip forward and backward, play, pause, and volume up and down. It also has a handy hold switch so that you don't accidentally turn the player on or change tracks when you don't want to. I purchased this 3rd gen iPod Shuffle from Amazon for the amazing price of $69.99! It is now back up around $75, so I feel lucky to have purchased it when I did. If you are looking for a very small and easy to use MP3 player, which simply shuffles your music and has a high quality look and feel, then look no further than the Apple iPod Shuffle. It really is an amazing player. =o)
  
  UPDATE - 1/23/2008:
  This iPod Shuffle ended up taking a trip through the washing machine and was then subjected to the brutal pouding and scorching heat of a clothes dryer! Obviously we were just sick about what we had done, and we were sure that this Christmas gift had met an early death. We allowed the Shuffle to sit out for 4 days, without trying to power it on, in order to make sure that it was completely dry on the inside. Much to our amazement this 3rd Gen iPod Shuffle powered up and works flawlessly! It charges, plays all of the onboard music files, and connects to the computer without any problems. All of the buttons and switches work just fine as well. We are SO relieved, and can't say enough about the build quality and durability of this product. We will now be more careful about checking every pocket before laundering our clothes in the future. Whew...thanks Apple!
  
  

• The 2GB Shuffle - Finally a Larger Starter MP3 Player from Apple!!!

  
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2008-02-25
  Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Silver (2nd Generation)
  
  Apple's iPod Shuffle finally has a higher-capacity big brother. This compact MP3 player was always great for active users who enjoy working out, running or music listening on the go. The new 2GB model offers consumers an Apple version of capacity the competition has been offering for a year. Great as a gift, extra player, or exercise companion.
  
  Pros
  - New 2GB provides better capacity at a lower price per gigabyte!!!!
  - Enlarged capacity allows for more song storage and less swapping in iTunes!
  - Compact and functional design
  - Nicely integrated clip - No case needed!
  - Nice battery performance for long use
  - Great family of Apple accessories
  - Great for those already used to iTunes
  - iTunes also good for inexperienced MP3 users
  - Included in-ear headphones are great for a starter pair
  - Same great color options (silver, green, purple, blue)
  - Highly durable player
  - Apple brand and reputation
  
  Cons
  - Still a premium price compared to competing players in total $ terms
  - Competing products offer more features, including fm radio and voice recording
  - No screen to view track names
  - Difficult to control / select tracks via playlists
  - Proprietary dock / jack for syncing
  - No expandability
  - Limited native file format support in iTunes (MP3, AAC)
  - No drag and drop music control
  - Non iTunes fans are still forced to deal with software limitations
  
  The Form Factor
  
  The long awaited 2 gigabyte iPod Shuffle has the same body that has captured a large audience of fans. Size has always been the iPod shuffle's greatest asset. The integrated clip is no doubt its second greatest asset. Big intuitive buttons make fast learners out of new users.
  
  This unit works fine with no extra case, though there are still case options. The composite case comes in one of several popular color options, including silver, blue, green and purple.
  
  Apple's proprietary headphone jack is still used for syncing. Most competing players use a standard USB B port. Still a great overall design.
  
  Durability
  
  Apple deserves points for the more durable player in this group. Even with the composite body, these guys do hold up to a lot of abuse. Creative's failure rates are too high, but Sandisk's Clip is gaining ground in this area.
  
  Capacity
  
  The 2GB is LONG OVERDUE!!! Amazon's long wait times will surely have some going to Apple stores.
  
  The 1GB size was Apple's only option for a LONG time. The market has been flooded with 2GB players from the competition, as well as shuffle lookalikes. Still, as Apple finally ups their size, Sansa now offers the Clip in a 4GB size, though with long backorder waits. SanDisk Sansa Clip 4 GB MP3 Player (Silver) Still, expanding options makes the current starter MP3 market very good for consumers right now.
  
  Creative Zen Stone Plus 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk Sansa c150 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk SDMX7-2048 Sansa c250 2 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa Clip 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  
  Features and Software
  
  Competing players over simple screens for track viewing as well as FM radio and voice recording. The Zen Stone Plus by Creative and the Sandisk Clip each offer all three features at better price points. Apple's reliability and brand loyalty has allowed the shuffle to survive with limited features.
  
  Competing players also offer drag and drop syncing using standard USB cables or, in the case of the Sansa Express, via direct USB. Apple still requires the proprietary dock.
  
  It still seems excessive to have to use iTunes software to sync 2GB of songs. Competing players have even worse software, but allow you to drag and drop files on these devices like USB thumb drives.
  
  iTunes is both a curse and a blessing, depending on your point of view. For those who are used to iTunes or totally new to MP3s, the interface can be a great plus. For anybody who wants more direct control over their music collection, some of the features within iTunes can become burdensome. Not to mention, it seems every week iTunes requires a new software update.
  
  Once again, if you LOVE Apple and iTunes, or if you are totally new to MP3s the software will still be a net plus for you.
  
  For those that care about file options, Apple's software allows only limited MP3 and AAC music formats. You can easily convert other formats to these, but be aware of the limits. This is only a negative for those really loyal to a certain file format, such as the growing group of WMA users. Having to have 2 format copies of all your music can really hurt as your collection grows.
  
  Sound
  
  The sound this unit produces is pretty good though not great. While I still feel the first generation shuffle sounded much better, the tradeoff was worth the smaller size.
  
  Cost
  
  The shuffle's price has finally come down to about $65 for 2GB or $50 for 1GB. While not a bargain, this price makes the sting much less painful for Apple loyalists. The dollar per gigabyte cost is at least approaching that of competing players. The absolute dollar cost is still a premium when you factor in features.
  
  Players like the Sansa Clip continue to offer more features at this capacity. If you want a small player and you are open to brands beyond Apple, your options continue to expand. The Creative Stone Plus, Sansa Clip, and new models from Samsung and Sony are all worth a look.
  
  Once again, Apple's reputation is well deserved. This model still requires you to pay a premium for it, though a slightly shrinking premium. :-D
  
  Conclusion
  
  If you must have Apple and need a small player for high impact workouts, this new 2GB shuffle is it. If you and can afford it, stepping up to the Apple iPod Nano 4GB will cost you $140 but gives you twice the capacity and video. Still, if you're not an Apple die-hard, the Sansa Clip and other options deserve serious consideration.
  
  Research your options and choose the player that's right for you. Overall this is a good player at an improved price.
  
  Enjoy!!!
  
  
  
• It takes a licking and keeps on, well, playing...
  By A1MOML346EDIME on 2007-10-02
  I adore my shuffle, 3d generation. It is always with me at the gym, or when I do housework. But the most amazing thing about it is that after I accidentally put it in the washer and dryer, it still worked!
  
  
• I Adore It As Well...
  By A3F19JZZ07PDX0 on 2007-10-27
  The software is a little cumbersome, though; not streamlined enough. All in all, perfect mp3 player. Clips easily to your person, doesn't skip and boasts great fidelity. Inconspicuous jams! It's also ergonomic enough to where you don't have to look at it to use it. This should be the only flash-based mp3 player you need.
  
  
• Quit working after 4 months
  By A1VZVJZ2A4IOVD on 2007-11-14
  Quit working after only 4 months! While it comes with a 1-year warranty, you have to pay $30 shipping to get a replacement. Four months is a pathetically short lifespan!
  
  
• The 2 Gig. Twice the Storage in Case You Need It.
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2008-06-12
  I've long thought about buying an iPod, but the price always held me back. When Apple recently lowered the price of the shuffle, I jumped. But I did spend a little extra and buy the 2 GB model. I mean, for $20 more, who wouldn't?
  
  This model actually allows you to input 1.89 Gigs of music. Why the difference? Because the iPod needs some space for the software. Depending on the size of the songs, that translates to roughly 500 songs. The first time around, I got 498 songs on it, and I had three 11 minutes song included. I just reloaded and got 528 songs on. I did use a different computer (although it had to erase everything because it only connects with one computer at a time), but it looked like it grabbed shorter songs this time.
  
  The iPod comes with everything you need to get started. You've got the device itself, the ear bud headphones, and the docking device. You use this device to connect your iPod to your computer. While connected, you can load songs from iTunes and charge the device.
  
  And that's one of the weaknesses of the device (and Apple in general). You can only load songs from their music player. Fortunately, anyone can download iTunes from Apple for free, so that isn't an issue. But it would be nice if it worked with other programs. Additionally, you must plug it into a computer to charge it.
  
  Loading songs is pretty straight forward. You can either create a play list for it to load or have it load up random songs.
  
  The device is small and lightweight. But what I love is the build in clip that allows you to attach it to any article of clothing. I bought it mainly to use while running or working out. It's perfect for that. Just clip it and forget about it. And, at half an ounce, it is so lightweight you don't even notice it.
  
  The controls are well laid out and easy and obvious to use.
  
  My biggest complaint is one I knew I would have before I bought it. If you've put one song on the iPod and decide that is the one you really want to hear, good luck finding it. There is no screen. You can tell it to play in shuffle or in playlist order. But you have to skip tons of songs to find the one you want.
  
  The battery lasts about 12 hours. And with 500 songs, you get over 30 hours of music. So you really don't need all those songs since you could just pick different songs every time you charge it. The only time it indicates battery strength is when you first turn it one, which seems strange. If you don't check as soon as you turn it off, you might turn it on some time to find it is out of juice.
  
  I also wish the noise level was standardized. I have to adjust the volume on practically every song.
  
  So do you really need the added storage capacity of the 2 GB model? That's for you to decide. But if you just want something to play a few random songs for you while you do other things, this is a great model to get.
  
  
• iPod Shuffle Review
  By A1VKK4YRCWTTTI on 2007-10-09
  This product has turned out to live up to it's billing. It is simple to use, it was inexpensive to purchase, it stores am ample library of music, it is tiny and easy to carry around.
  
  I am thoroughly pleased with my purchase.
  
  
• Listen to audio books, too
  By A5N00VBNNTTIW on 2007-11-04
  I love this little guy - I listen to music only sparingly, mostly I listen to audio books - I had no problem downloading from Audible - one thing to be aware of, though - it is cheaper to purchase books through Audible than ITunes. Audible has directions on their site that tell you how to purchase from them and still download through ITunes.
  
  
• useless
  By A1WRNADRYF67XS on 2008-03-28
  So I got this as a Christmas gift and nobody really knows how much I hate the thing. Why anybody would want one of these is beyond me. You have exactly 2 choices. Option number one is click forward or reverse until you find the song that you want to hear, on a 1GB mp3 player that holds somewheres around 256 songs, you could be clicking up to 128 times (if the given song you want to hear is at the furthest point from where you currently are and if I am really good at math). Your other option is shuffle. Hence the genius name iPod shuffle. "iPod shuffle" does sound better than "iPod press forward a hundred times". The other thing that really sucks is the difficulty involved in just adding a song. Its not like a normal mp3 player, where you just open the folder after you plug it in a click and drag songs in. No, you have to use iTunes and have an iLibrary and stuff. What a hassle, I just wanted to add a couple songs before I went out. Whats with all this work involved, "No I don't want to update iTunes now I have a job to go to." Sometimes I just want to add a song or change something around real quick but its impossible. This whole process is nearly as time consuming as going to the DMV. On the plus side the iPod shuffle comes in a variety of different colors to match the sweater vest you probably put on your dog.
  
  
• Expensive for what it is.
  By A2UOHALGF2X77Q on 2008-01-05
  I won my iPod shuffle, so I didn't have to pay $75 for it. After playing with it for a few hours, I could not imagine paying $75 for it. It has virtually no features, and only holds 1GB of music. For the same price, you can get a full featured MP3 player that holds 2 to 4 times as much music. With that being said, what the Shuffle can do, it does fairly well. It's also very tiny, so that might be a plus to some. I give it 4 stars for not costing me anything, and working well.
  
  Edit: The average price of the "Shuffle" has dropped below $50. IMO it is now a decent buy for what it is.
  
  
• Love It!
  By A2OXIWTV4MTMQR on 2007-10-10
  I just LOVE my new shuffle. Easy to use, convenient to carry (especially on the morning walk) - the only problem is remembering to place it back on its docking station so I don't misplace it. If you're thinking about buying a starter iPod, this would be perfect.
  
  
• GREAT BUY
  By A2EMSNCX5YZE9B on 2007-09-30
  I got this in August for my birthday.... It is great and very easy to use. Mine is pink and I love it. GREAT for young and old. I am 33 years old but would also be nice for a teenager or younger... Clips nicely to your clothes to make it very handy to use.
  
  
• AT YOUR REQUEST
  By A2ZBAMT7ZBP5SR on 2007-11-02
  THE I-POD SHUFFLE IS EXCELLENT. IT TOOK ME SOME TIME TO LEARN
  HOW TO DOWNLOAD I-TUNES ONTO IT, AND APPLE INSTRUCTIONS COULD BE BETTER
  FOR THIS FUNCTION, ESPECIALLY THE "SYNC".
  
  
• More bang for your buck
  By A3R0J2XJJQXBUG on 2007-11-16
  At first I was hesitant to buy the shuffle, am I selling myself short, Will I miss the video feature of a full-size iPod? The only thing I have been disappointed about this product is the fact that I bought the silver one just two months before the purple one came out. This ipod is great for working-out and traveling, the other ipods are too bulky for these activities. I take it everywhere with me. I LOVE IT! Now if they can just stick more memory into that tiny little body.
  
  
• Apple 1GB Shuffle - A steep price for a starter MP3 Player
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2007-11-16
  The third generation of the iPod Shuffle is similar to the second. It's a great MP3 player for working out or running, especially if you are a die-hard Apple fan. However, the steep price means you had better review all your options before you choose this.
  
  Pros
  - Small size
  - Nice case design
  - Many color options
  - Highly durable player
  - Apple reputation
  
  Cons
  - High price point
  - Less durable shell
  - Proprietary dock for syncing
  - Small capacity (1GB) with no expandability
  - iTunes software with limited formats (MP3, AAC)
  - Competing products offer more capacity for less $$
  
  The Form Factor
  
  This little guy is small! The body has a spring loaded clip on the back so you can clip it to your shirt without any extra case. Apple added a few extra color options, including the popular purple. It comes in a composite case. The 2nd generation's case seemed a little bit more durable.
  
  The basic controls remain the same (fast forward, rewind, pause, and play) to access your music collection. There is a headphone jack which you also use to mount this on the sync dock. A standard USB B port would have been preferable to this as well.
  
  Storage Capacity
  
  Apple made it available only in 1GB sizes, same as the 2nd generation. It would have made more sense to bump it up to at least 2GB. The competing Zen Stone Plus by Creative offers 2GB (twice the songs), an FM tuner and the ability to see song titles for less money. Sandisk also has some lower capacity Sansa models at similar price points.
  Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB MP3 Player
  Zen Stone Plus 2GB Black
  SanDisk Sansa M240 1 GB MP3 Player (Silver)
  SanDisk Sansa c150 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  Sandisk Sansa Express 1 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  SanDisk SDMX7-2048 Sansa c250 2 GB MP3 Player
  SanDisk SDMX3-2048 Sansa M250 2 GB MP3 Player (Black)
  
  Durability
  
  Apple definitely deserves point for the more durable player in this group. Even with the new player composite body, these guys do hold up to a lot of abuse.
  
  Software
  
  When you only have 1GB to fill, having to use iTunes software to do it seems excessive. Competing players have even worse software, but allow you to drag and drop files on these devices like USB thumb drives. Once again, if you LOVE Apple and iTunes, the software is not going to be an issue for you.
  
  Price Point
  
  This unit is pricy at about $80. As of October 2007, 1GB of flash memory is going for under $10 retail. That's what makes this price somewhat hard to swallow. Once again, Apple's reputation is well deserved. This particular model requires you to pay a premium for it.
  
  If you just want a really small player and you are open to brands beyond Apple, the Creative Zen Stone gives you 1GB for $40 and 2GB for $65. Sandisk Sansa has similarly priced models.
  
  If you must have Apple and need a small player for high impact workouts, this is it. If you want to stay with Apple and can afford it, stepping up to the Apple iPod nano 4GB will cost you $140 ($60 more) but gives you 4 times the capacity and the ability to play video.
  
  Overall this is a good player at a price that could be less. Weigh your options and choose the player that's right for you. Enjoy!!!
  
  
• absolute garbage
  By AHA4T0B9H4DHJ on 2007-12-12
  The name of this products makes certain inferrences- mainly, that thing thing can shuffle songs. Oops. It doesn't actually play anything in a RANDOM order. It just sort of shuffles everything ONCE, then continually loops through that playlist it generated. This playlist is also extremely poorly shuffled, with songs from the same artist frequently playing one after the other. How random.
  
  Save your money and buy a real mp3 player, not this thing that can't even do what it is named for.
  
  
• THE UNTENDED UNDERLING IN THE iPOD FAMILY
  By A1L8HRCM60W0W7 on 2008-01-05
  I wanted to buy a no-nonsense mp3 player to keep me company while running. No video, no funky display menus, no labyrinthine software to work with. If I wanted to spend half a day getting my music in order I'd shell for the 80 gig iPod.
  
  So I got myself a Shuffle, by far the sleekest small pod in the market.
  
  But boy did I regret it.
  
  After the one-time registration and initialization (which is not optional) the lemon wouldn't get the songs on it, thanks to the infamous "Disk not found error". Googled for it and discovered websites that are brimming with untended complaints; I'm on Windows XP, but the glitch seems to pervade operating systems.
  
  Spent a day battling with the idiosyncrasies. Downloaded and installed an extra utility that Apple's Help site recommends. Enabled the Shuffle "for disk use". Reset it to factory settings and tried all over again, five times. And I'm a fairly persistent tech-savvy one. I did everything that's needed and more, but the stupid thing will still not remember the settings, will not let me change songs, and so on.
  
  Tired with all of this rigmarole, I got a Creative Zen Stone Plus. It's a little larger than the Shuffle, but you can see why--Shuffle doesn't have a display and it uses the same jack for charging and earphones so you can only do one of those at a time. Stone Plus on the other hand connects through a small non-spaghetti USB cable, comes up instantly as a new drive on your PC, you copy the mp3 files from your music folder to this drive, and you're done.
  
  I was up and running in 5 minutes flat. Can't help kicking myself for having fallen for the iPod luster.
  
  Without becoming any clunkier in any meaningful way (both the doohickeys are pretty small), Stone Plus shows me the song that's playing, which I don't see on Shuffle. Stone Plus has an FM radio, a voice recorder, a timer, and a digital clock--none of which the Shuffle has. It charges in 5 minutes, which the Shuffle doesn't. I can use iTunes or any other tool or even nothing at all, but with Shuffle I am in an unhappy marriage with iTunes. The Stone Plus will hold about 1000 songs in comparison to Shuffle's 200 at the same bit-rate.
  
  Because this is Creative, the company known among geeks for its speakers, the ear phones that come with the Stone Plus have a fabulous combination of bass and treble that will please the most fastidious connoisseur. After hearing them Shuffle's white thingies sound tinny and childish. I got my Stone Plus with a clip that makes it much more practical for running.
  
  And all of it at 60% of the cost of a basic bare-bones Shuffle.
  
  Sorry, Apple folks, in the small-mp3-player market Apple is simply the beautiful blond bimbo who trips on high heels at ten paces. If you're in the market for a nifty little mp3 player, skip the Shuffle. Even in the 3rd generation it's a 3rd rate contender.
  
  
• Good if you want to sync to only 1 computer
  By AG2ZRFW9E48VG on 2008-03-03
  The good: It's small and it's an mp3 player. Perfect for the gym.
  
  The bad: Make sure you set this iPod to the computer you want to use and use the most. If you have music libraries that are on various computers, like myself. Then you will need to merge yours into one.
  You cant even plug this into another computer and listen to the music because it will ask you if you want to erase and reformat. That is total bs.
  I'm swallowing Apples 10% restocking fee and will be returning this. I'm totally disappointed.
  
  
  
  
• Perfect for Kids
  By AZ79VEQJC71RY on 2007-11-17
  This is a perfect gift for my kids - I have control with what goes onto it AND the sound level. The colors make it fun for them too. I'm getting one with more memory for myself, but with an average of 250 songs per shuffle, it is just right for them.
  
  
• Shuffle arrived broken
  By A1P00KME1YFBFK on 2007-10-11
  I love the Apple Shuffle! Unfortunately, it arrived in a crushed box and would not hold a charge. I was so disappointed
  
  
• Satisfied though wish for better earbuds
  By A1O0JRU7IYBV6D on 2007-11-16
  I got this for use at the gym. I clip it on my collar, and it's fine, stays there, does what it should. This is my big leap into the 21st century, so I'm still adjusting. I haven't timed it, but I don't know if the battery stays charged for as long as it claims. It's still good. My only beef is with the earbuds. They're of good sound quality, maybe too much bass, but that's a small quibble. I just wish they stayed in place while I'm running. I find myself adjusting them a lot, and when I sweat, they just pop right out. I wound up buying some other clip-ons this week. Still, worth it to me.
  
  
• tiny and amazing
  By A2O6Z2T3G1AICK on 2007-10-10
  no fussing with any other features ,just music !!! no usb port on unit ... small belt clip is great. product is awesome highly recommend
  
  
• great for running
  By A368FM1WQ939N8 on 2007-11-08
  This product has been a great buy for me. I use it for long distance running. It's tiny, it clips on to anything (and doesn't fall off), it's got great sound quality and it's easy to use. So far I've had absolutely no problems with it.
  
  
• New 2GB model out
  By A10ZBR6O8S8OCY on 2008-02-23
  This is not a review, just a heads up to let everyone know a new 2GB Shuffle is coming out near Mid-March of 2008, at a cost of about $70. You will get 1GB extra for only $20 more.
  
  
• Great purchase for the price
  By A1TVEY6GSNARX0 on 2007-10-18
  My husband has one so I had to have one too! Hold plenty of songs and it is an easy clip on to what ever I am wearing.
  
  
• Apple Suffle: Purple
  By AIAHO3D7DZTFN on 2007-12-02
  I purchased this for my 9 year old daughter. This Ipod is better than my nano. For it's size,the quality is outstanding. the buttons on the unit are strong and sturdy.
  
  This is a perfect product for a teen, young adult, or an individual who works out. Due to it's size, this is perfect for a runner or a gym junkee.
  
  My next Ipod for myself is going to be the shuffle, due to quality and size. At first I was hesitant about this product as the music is random, but this is a really fun product!
  
  
• THE UNTENDED UNDERLING IN THE iPOD FAMILY
  By A1L8HRCM60W0W7 on 2008-01-05
  I wanted to buy a no-nonsense mp3 player to keep me company while running. No video, no funky display menus, no labyrinthine software to work with. If I wanted to spend half a day getting my music in order I'd shell for the 80 gig iPod.
  
  So I got myself a Shuffle, by far the sleekest small pod in the market.
  
  But boy did I regret it.
  
  After the one-time registration and initialization (which is not optional) the lemon wouldn't get the songs on it, thanks to the infamous "Disk not found error". Googled for it and discovered websites that are brimming with untended complaints; I'm on Windows XP, but the glitch seems to pervade operating systems.
  
  Spent a day battling with the idiosyncrasies. Downloaded and installed an extra utility that Apple's Help site recommends. Enabled the Shuffle "for disk use". Reset it to factory settings and tried all over again, five times. And I'm a fairly persistent tech-savvy one. I did everything that's needed and more, but the stupid thing will still not remember the settings, will not let me change songs, and so on.
  
  Tired with all of this rigmarole, I got a Creative Zen Stone Plus. It's a little larger than the Shuffle, but you can see why--Shuffle doesn't have a display and it uses the same jack for charging and earphones so you can only do one of those at a time. Stone Plus on the other hand connects through a small non-spaghetti USB cable, comes up instantly as a new drive on your PC, you copy the mp3 files from your music folder to this drive, and you're done.
  
  I was up and running in 5 minutes flat. Can't help kicking myself for having fallen for the iPod luster.
  
  Without becoming any clunkier in any meaningful way (both the doohickeys are pretty small), Stone Plus shows me the song that's playing, which I don't see on Shuffle. Stone Plus has an FM radio, a voice recorder, a timer, and a digital clock--none of which the Shuffle has. It charges in 5 minutes, which the Shuffle doesn't. I can use iTunes or any other tool or even nothing at all, but with Shuffle I am in an unhappy marriage with iTunes. The Stone Plus will hold about 1000 songs in comparison to Shuffle's 200 at the same bit-rate.
  
  Because this is Creative, the company known among geeks for its speakers, the ear phones that come with the Stone Plus have a fabulous combination of bass and treble that will please the most fastidious connoisseur. After hearing them Shuffle's white thingies sound tinny and childish. I got my Stone Plus with a clip that makes it much more practical for running.
  
  And all of it at 60% of the cost of a basic bare-bones Shuffle.
  
  Sorry, Apple folks, in the small-mp3-player market Apple is simply the beautiful blond bimbo who trips on high heels at ten paces. If you're in the market for a nifty little mp3 player, skip the Shuffle. Even in the 3rd generation it's a 3rd rate contender.
  
  

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