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September 10, 2008 7:58 AM PDT

First Look: iPod Classic 2G

by Donald Bell

Apple didn't make much of a fuss over the second-generation upgrade to their iPod Classic, but there are a few details worth noting. First off, Apple has discontinued their 80GB and monstrous 160GB models and now offers only a single version of the Classic packed with 120GB of storage for $249. We may hear some grumblings from file-hoarders and lossless audio fans about the discontinued 160GB model, but 120GB is still an impressive amount of space for your music and video collection.

The user interface of the Classic hasn't changed since the first-gen model, but there are a few additional features that are only available on the second-gen. Apple has included their new Genius playlist tool, which theoretically should work better with the larger music collections you can store on the Classic. Also, the Classic 2G can now make voice recordings through its headphone jack, so long as you use a compatible pair of headphones with an in-line microphone (Apple's iPhone headphones do the trick, but we'll see more headphones from Apple in October).

The iPod Classic is still offered in the same two colors (black and silver), with a healthy-rated battery life of 36 hours for music and 6 hours for video--numbers that are slightly up from last year's 80GB model, but down from the 160GB version's promise of 40 hours of music and 7 hours of video.

Click here for full coverage of Apple's "Let's Rock" event.

Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (6 Comments)
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by mhaven98 September 10, 2008 9:45 AM PDT
Too bad, I was hoping for a 320GB model!
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by AlanHub September 10, 2008 9:52 AM PDT
DAMMIT SO I CANT LISTEN TO 100,000 SONGS IN A DAY!?!?
by 22mojom22 September 10, 2008 11:50 AM PDT
No 160 BG model anymore!? I guess I have to pray mine doesn't break down. a paltry 120 GB wont do for me.
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by glennrcompton September 10, 2008 12:38 PM PDT
Yes, I am both a file-hoarder and a lossless audio fan. I actually refused to jump on the iPod bandwagon until the 160GB model came out because it was the first time I could carry around almost everything I might listen to while out, but I was really hoping for a larger model as well because it is a pain to have to selectively remove genres and artists from my synch list whenever I want to add something new.

I'd really like to know if this is just to simplify selection or reduce costs and not because they had too many problems with the 160 GB and are perceiving a size limit for the device.
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by greenkeys September 10, 2008 12:40 PM PDT
So the new Classic doesn't hold as much and doesn't last as long? I'd hardly call myself a "file hoarder" and I've never even seen an apple lossless file, but a reasonable music collection, and a hand-full of movies and TV series just about fills the Classic 160 for me.

Honestly, File Hoarders!? Wake up Donald, this new Classic is clearly a step backwards.
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by backstorker4736 September 10, 2008 2:01 PM PDT
It just shows how hard drive players are closer to slow death
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