2. Apple iPod Nano: The iPod For Everyone

In addition to the 2 GB and 4 GB models, the iPod Nano is now available in a 1 GB version. If you're looking for a player with that capacity, it's the ideal solution for getting the coolest-looking Flash memory player around without ruining your finances. You'll still be able to carry more than two hundred songs, and the audio reproduction is perfect. Highs are clear, bass is deep, and the built-in equalizer lets you tweak the sound to get it just the way you like.

The most common audio and image formats are recognized. There's no video function, but that's far from being a handicap, since video doesn't make much sense on a player of this type anyway. For once, the earphones that come with the player are decent, and they may even be good enough to stick with, though they quickly show their limitations, with some hissing when the volume is set high while playing music with strong bass.

There's nothing new in the color department: iPods still come in either black or white, with faultless build quality that's rare nowadays. However, that pristine high-gloss finish won't last long once you get it out of the box, since the Nano's susceptibility to scratches is legendary. So make sure you pick up some sort of case to protect your Nano quickly, or it will look battle-weary in short order.

The Nano is ultra-flat and very light, and you can quickly forget that it's even there. You might think its small size would be a handicap compared to its big brothers, but it's not at all. The unit handles well, and the Click Wheel is still a model of design and function. Naturally, the display is also smaller, but it's still excellent. It has good sharpness and color reproduction, though it's too small for watching a slide show comfortably.

On the downside, the iPod Nano is the only player in this round-up to not include a built-in FM tuner. You also have to use iTunes to transfer music from your computer, which isn't very practical, especially for photos. Yet another disappointment is that you need an adapter - the Dock Connector - to connect the player to a USB port, and it also serves as the charger, so you'll have to be careful not to lose it. If you want to recharge the battery without turning on your computer, you'll have to buy a charger, which adds to the total cost. Fortunately, battery life is excellent, and a total recharge takes only two hours.

Characteristics

Storage medium: Flash memory, 1 GB Display: 1.5" File transfer: USB 2.0 (driver needed for PC) Dimensions: 3.5" x 1.6" x 0.27" (90 x 40 x 6.9 mm), weight 1.5 ounces (42 g) Formats: AAC, MP3, Audible, Apple Lossless, Wav, AIFF, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, PNG FM Tuner: No Battery life: 15 hrs.