Some of you astute board readers know I was more than skeptical during the rush of comments after the iPods introduction. I was shouting "It's just another mp3 player, come on..."
Just another mp3 it may be, but Apple has done something really special with it. I have owned and used three different HD-based mp3 players in the recent past: PJB-100, Nomad Jukebox, and now the Apple iPod.
This will attempt to be an objective, fair look at the current market. If there is a clear winner or loser in each category, points will be awarded to the device(s) as deemed appropriate.
-Form Factor
Sitting these three devices next to each other instantly gives you a winner in this category. iPod is the by far the smallest, easiest to carry, and the nicest looking.
PJB = 0
NJB = 0
iPod = 1
-Capacity
PJB-100 and Nomad Jukebox are both available in 20gig+ capacities- while the iPod is only available in 5gig currently. Points go to PJB/NJB
PJB = 1
NJB = 1
iPod = 1
-Battery
PJB-100 and iPod both claim 10hr+ battery life and live up to it. The Nomad Jukebox uses old NIMH AA size batteries that do not last more than 3-4 hours at a time. The PJB-100 would win this category because of its removable/replacable battery but since I've actually seen it fall out, I don't count it as an advantage. Points to PJB/iPod.
PJB = 2
NJB = 1
iPod = 2
-Software
Both the PJB and NJB have support for Macs and PCs (The NJB through iTunes). The iPod will have PC support shortly courtesy of the Mac compatibility wizards at MediaFour (XPod). However, functionally speaking, the PJB/NJB software interface is ultimately inferior to iPod/iTunes integration that includes all tracks and playlists with absolutely no configuration. In addition, its interface transfers soo much faster than the other two. The PJB/NJB just can't touch that. Point to iPod.
PJB = 2
NJB = 1
iPod = 3
-Device interface
The PJB and iPod have no boot time, whereas the Nomad Jukebox can take up to a full minute just to turn it on. The NJB/iPod have playlists- the PJB can have this functionality in a work-around [sets] but they are not true separate playlists. The iPod is by far the most elegant, and everyone I've shown the iPod to has been able to figure it out with no help from me- the same cannot be said for the NJB/PJB. I think that's the best indication of design, so the point goes to the iPod.
PJB = 2
NJB = 1
iPod = 4
-Audio quality
I am not the best judge of audio quality. To my ears, when testing the same song through the same headphones on each device, the PJB-100 and iPod come out on top over the Nomad Jukebox. Note that the iPod has no bass adjustment, which both other players do have. I personally know that this is going to be addressed by Apple in the future, so it won't count against them. It probably shouldn't anyway, since adding bass is not necessarily changing "quality"
Points to the PJB/iPod.
PJB = 3
NJB = 1
iPod = 5
-Cost
We'll price these all at 5-6 gig capacity for the sake of this mini-review. iPod and PJB-100 retail at $399, the NJB retails at $249.99. Point to the Nomad Jukebox.
PJB = 3
NJB = 2
iPod = 5
Overall, I think it is clear who I believe the winner is. iPod delivers the best overall value in my mind, it is a joy to use, and can actually fit in a pocket. If you are fence-sitting, I can now heartily suggest either ordering or saving up for an iPod. It is a great device.
[ 11-13-2001: Message edited by: neurack ]
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