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iPod Nano form factor: 3rd gen vs 4th gen
- Thread starter i0Nic
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The 3rd generation is ugly and horrible. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th, are much better. Although I much prefer the 1st Generation over them all.
TEG
TEG
The 4th gen is the best so far, though i did like the 3rd gen, but never got round to getting one; will be getting and orange one soon though
I thought the 3rd gen was an interesting idea, never bought one tho. It just seemed awkward to me. I definitely like the 4g better. The vertical screen is definitely a better use of space. You only need the wide screen for video and coverflow, so having the screen always be horizontal was a bad idea.
I prefer the 3rd generation one to be honest. My car has a flip up holder for "things" and the iPod fits in it without moving around. The new narrower one does not fit as well.
I like the 2nd generation best. The 3rd looks like a plastic toy Fischer Price iPod you would give your toddler to keep him away from your real one.
But I haven't seen the 4th generation up close and personal yet . . . and I like the idea of a 16gb Nano . . . .
"Dear Santa . . . ."
But I haven't seen the 4th generation up close and personal yet . . . and I like the idea of a 16gb Nano . . . .
"Dear Santa . . . ."
The 4th gen is pretty much a 2nd gen, the LCD is a tad longer to do the widescreen for video watching and the edges are rounded. I loved my 2nd gen, thats why I got this one and its great
It seems that I'm not alone in going from my beloved 2nd gen nano to the 4th gen. It feels like a totally natural upgrade. And for those of you who have not seen the new ones in person, you have to go check them out before saying they are too similar. The screen is not only bigger but the resolution and screen quality on the new ones is so crisp and beautiful.
I actually sold my 2nd gen originally, very fat when the 3rd gen came out, but I hated the chrome back, totally missed the aluminum, and I had a major issue with the 3rd gen having a slightly tilted screen, TWICE. I got fed up, returned it and bought a refurb'd 2nd gen again. I was using that until a few days ago when I traded up for the 4th gen and I don't see myself getting rid of this one. I love it.
I actually sold my 2nd gen originally, very fat when the 3rd gen came out, but I hated the chrome back, totally missed the aluminum, and I had a major issue with the 3rd gen having a slightly tilted screen, TWICE. I got fed up, returned it and bought a refurb'd 2nd gen again. I was using that until a few days ago when I traded up for the 4th gen and I don't see myself getting rid of this one. I love it.
The 4th all the way. The 3rd seems like a stop-gap design that was used to get video to the nano until they were able to include the accelerometer and work out other aspects of portrait/landscape modes. Using landscape mode for navigation and selection and that split screen UI never looked good to me.
The all round aluminium is better too; my 2G still looks like new.
The all round aluminium is better too; my 2G still looks like new.
I think the 4g looks slightly better than the 3g but the 4g's design is case of form over function IMO. The orientation of the 3g nano means that there is no need for the rotation of the entire ipod between different functions and apart from the games, no need for the accelerometer.
Yea the 4g looks better but it's not like the 3g is extremely ugly.
Yea the 4g looks better but it's not like the 3g is extremely ugly.
I have too many players, and would not have added a new nano if the 4th gen had been the same shape as the 3rd. Yet I bought an 8gb black nano, and then ordered an 8gb green for my wife. Must be something about that new flat elliptical cross section that appeals to me. 
There is now a review on my blog comparing the 8gb Nano to the 8gb 3.0 Zune. The Zune is still an ordinary brick, but it's new firmware makes it something to consider.
There is now a review on my blog comparing the 8gb Nano to the 8gb 3.0 Zune. The Zune is still an ordinary brick, but it's new firmware makes it something to consider.
I never liked the 3rd gen until I tried one out. Loved it and bought one right away. It fits in the palm of your hand and is easy to tuck away while using. Couldn't be happier its a solid design.
3rd Gen all the way. I bought one and love it. Fits in my hand and is short enough to shove in my pocket and sit down without having to worry about bending it. Don't have to tilt the screen to watch a movie or use cover flow either. The new nano is great, but I like the 3rd gen much more.
3rd gen actually fits in my pocket; 4th gen is stick-like (like with the rest of the iPods) and sticks out of my pocket
How small are your pants/pockets. My 4th gen fits right in my pocket with ease. I haven't used my 80 gig classic since I got my silver 4g nano
I'm thinking about getting a 3G 8GB Nano for $99 off of Apple. I've used the 2G iPod Touch in person and I don't think it's worth it anymore.
I just want something to take over my tape deck in the car now.
I just want something to take over my tape deck in the car now.
The 3rd gen Nano is a great form factor - put the 3rd and 4th gen side by side (as I saw in an electronics store last week), and the 4th gen looks fugly and really big and tall. The 3rd gen looks small and pocketable. THEN actually try to use the 4th gen and marvel at the ridiculous "feature" of having to hold it sideways to watch video Apple really messed up with this redesign.
(The first and 2nd gen nanos also look weird compared to the 3rd gen - they were fine at the time, but in hindsight they look too big).
Of course, the above is just my opinion (I think I'm right though!)
Apple really messed up with this redesign.(The first and 2nd gen nanos also look weird compared to the 3rd gen - they were fine at the time, but in hindsight they look too big).
Of course, the above is just my opinion (I think I'm right though!)
The 3rd gen Nano is a great form factor - put the 3rd and 4th gen side by side (as I saw in an electronics store last week), and the 4th gen looks fugly and really big and tall. The 3rd gen looks small and pocketable. THEN actually try to use the 4th gen and marvel at the ridiculous "feature" of having to hold it sideways to watch video
(The first and 2nd gen nanos also look weird compared to the 3rd gen - they were fine at the time, but in hindsight they look too big).
Of course, the above is just my opinion (I think I'm right though!)
big and tall? its about the same size as my bank card.
I've had 1G, 2G, and 4G... 4G is by FAR the best. You have to see one in person to truly appreciate that it is the smallest Nano by volume. My friend with a 1G saw my 4G and the first words out of his mouth were, "Holy ****!" They are TINY (which is good if you take it to the gym). I am so glad they didn't go to a touchscreen. The Nano is still ideal for fitness and laboring: small enough to stay out of the way and yet large enough to accommodate a screen and allow for easy traversal of the music library.
I wanted 16GB, but I wasn't completely sold on the design until mine arrived and I saw it in person.
I wanted 16GB, but I wasn't completely sold on the design until mine arrived and I saw it in person.