APPLE iPod mini review

Two-and-a-half years after the original iPod hit the shelves, the iPod mini is here.

Smaller, slimmer and sleeker than its big brother, the coloured metal-clad mini will certainly have style critics salivating, but in the portable audio field, function is just as important as form.

The iPod mini shares the same clickable touch wheel interfaces as the new fourth-generation iPod. Menu, play/pause, forward and backward buttons are hidden beneath the circular touch wheel, while the centre button selects. This wheel serves the dual purpose of menu navigation and, when a song is playing, volume control. The physical interface is unsurpassed; it provides quick and intuitive access to all functions.

The supplied iTunes software takes care of all CD ripping, song cataloguing and naming, and integrates with Apple's iTunes online music shop. It includes support for a range of music formats and bit rates, although Apple still refuses to acknowledge Microsoft's WMA format. The iPod will automatically synchronise with your iTunes music library when connected via USB or FireWire, downloading all songs and updating playlists. Alternatively, you can manually select which songs to download and playlists to update.

Songs can be displayed on the iPod by artist, album, genre or composer, making it easy to find the one you want. Playlists are imported from iTunes, but can also be created on the fly, by assigning song ratings or adding songs to the on-the-go playlist.

There are 23 sound presets available, covering a wide variety of music genres, while a sound check facility balances output volume across tracks. Sound quality largely depends on encoding format and bit depth, but using the default setting of ACC at 128Kbit/s the iPod faithfully reproduces the original. For a more robust, clearer sound you may want to record at a higher bit rate.

The supplied ear buds are adequate, although you may wish to trade up for a fuller sound, not to mention to avoid being marked as a mugging victim by their distinctive white design.

With a capacity of 4GB, enough for around 1,000 songs at 128Kbit/s, the iPod falls at the bottom end of storage capacities for disk-based players. A rather hopeful eight-hour battery life is limiting for travel, particularly with no additional battery pack available. The lack of a cradle, remote control ear buds and a protective casing are also definite minus points, though all are available separately. There is little doubt that the iPod mini is an excellent, portable music player and a stylistic triumph, but for both you must pay a premium.