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Ars Technica Vivisects A Video iPod

Posted by Zonk on from the all-in-the-name-of-science dept.

phaedo00 writes "The guys over at Ars Technica have put together another one of their infamous reviews. This time they tackle the video iPod and give it a proper review, complete with vivisection and a discussion of the guts." From the article: "It wouldn't be an Ars iPod review without a dissection (or in this case, a vivisection since the patient survived) and discussion. Talking about what changes were made on the exterior of the device is fine and well, but the real interesting stuff--to me anyways--is found within. As the old adage says, 'it's what's on the inside that counts.' With that, I'm dismantling this iPod in the name of science. All went well: I was able to put to back together and it's working fine." An interesting counter-point to previous coverage.

4 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Re:vivisection? by Golias · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ever heard of this thing called a metaphor?

    The iPod "survived" (literally meaning it still worked, not that it was ever a living creature), therefore they found it amusing to describe the process as a "vivisection." Get over it.

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  2. No firewire! by lidocaineus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I must've skimmed over that fact in all the previous video iPod announcements, so ignore this or mark redundant if you feel so inclined. Ars seems to attribute it to decreasing the amount of space needed for the FW chipset. I'm glad Apple's still working to decrease the size, and I KNOW it's not that vital... but losing firewire seems a little sad.

    Yes I know there's no rational reason for that (and they had good reasons to move on), but hey, there it is. Maybe it stems directly from my original experience with the 2G iPod (my first one) where you could just jam any old cable into the huge built in FW port on the device.

  3. Re:Perhaps of more interest to /. readers..... by shawnce · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Of course this isn't factoring in things like... shipping, labor, stocking, and the cut that retailers get.... as well as R&D costs.

    Apple is lucky to make 30%, more likely in the mid to low 20% on margins. Still impressive margins and ones so far supported by the market.

  4. Re:vivisection? by Holi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I wonder, how often does a vivisection end with the subject still alive?

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.