Thoughts on the iPod mini
I am not an iPod owner (I’ve never even owned a portable CD player). I like music, and I enjoy using iTunes, but I haven’t felt compelled to drop a large chunk of change on such a dedicated piece of hardware. I admit that the iPod is more than a digital jukebox, able to function as a portable FireWire hard drive as well as perform rudimentary PIM functions, but it’s still a lot of money when you can get 4x the storage for less than half the price.
That said, I was expecting more than the iPod minis that Steve announced. I’m pretty much with Todd on this one. If you’re going to spring $249 for an iPod mini, you might as well pay the extra $50 and get nearly 4x the storage with the entry level iPod. I was hoping Apple might hit a lower price point, perhaps with a smaller hard drive—something under $200. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple toss a 2GB drive into the iPod mini and come in at $179-$199 in about 4 months, once demand has dropped their per unit costs.
And remember, 2 years ago, the original iPod cost $499 for 5GB...
About this post
I am not an iPod owner (I’ve never even owned a portable CD player). I like music, and I enjoy using iTunes, but I haven’t felt compelled to drop a large chunk of change on such a dedicated piece of...
January 6, 2004 | Apple
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Comments
The same rational that will move consumers from $200 flash-based players to the iPod minis (Promise of many times more for only $50) will move those same consumers to look at the 15gb iPod. Nearly 4 times and much space for only $50! I think this is why they upgraded the 10gb to be 15gb. 6gb extra isn’t as much of a step.
At this point I see the iPod minis as merely a stepping stone. There are a lot of people who wouldn’t take a $100 leap that will take two $50 ones. They serve a useful purpose while Apple ramps ups their production (and the maker of those freakishly small hard drives ramps up theirs). Once every thing is in place later this year I expect we’ll be seeing them in two size options and priced at $99 and $199. Which would fit in wonderfully with the rest of the iPod line (At $299, $399 and $499 currently). That’s when iPods will start dominating the entire portable music player market.
Until then it will sit around encouraging people to make one or two $50 leaps and enticing people with money and a desire to to have an iPod the size of a business card.
Posted by: Xian on January 7, 2004 04:06 AM
Jason Fried of 37 Signals weighs in: iPod Mini: Smaller Rightfully Costs More.
http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives/000502.php
Posted by: Mark Newhouse on January 7, 2004 09:24 AM
I really think so but the wrong thing is the new ipod mini mini is coning out isnt it allready mini enough ?
Posted by: Trig_boy on January 14, 2004 06:30 PM