| 1GB Apple iPod Shuffle
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Conclusion:
The 1GB iPod Shuffle is a great package. The sound quality is very good and battery life is excellent. The only complaints would be the slow transfer rates and the lack of a display. While the LEDs do an adequate job of indicating status of the player, and the controls are intuitive enough to use through your clothes, some people may want a display to indicate artist and song info. I think Apple purposely left this out for a reason; I think they created the Shuffle for those who want music on the go with a minimum of interaction and completely skip free playback. For me this little player is perfect for biking, I can throw it in my bag and just go.
Presently Geeks.com offers the 1GB Apple iPod Shuffle for $104 (US) and the 512MB version for $89. These prices compare nicely to other MP3 players of similar quality, and when compared "Apples" to "Apples" with the prices of iPod Shuffles elsewhere, Geeks.com still looks like a good source. A search of PriceGrabber shows the 1GB model ranges in price from $103 to $149, and Geeks.com is right there at that bottom limit.
Given the 1GB Apple iPod Shuffle's quality, simplicity and compact size, it earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and a final rating of "Highly Recommended".
Final Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars):  
Pros:
• Small size and weight
• Long battery life
• Sound quality better than most
• Intuitive controls
• Built in USB connector eliminates need for cables
• iTunes software keeps the music mix fresh
Cons:
• Slow transfer speeds
• Lack of display (for some)
Special thanks to Geeks.com for providing the 1GB Apple iPod Shuffle to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.
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