Seems a lot of people have been having problems with their Nano. The surface of the device scratches very easily and its upsetting lots of people. I checked out some of the pictures and it got me really worried. Luckily my Nano hadn’t shipped yet from Amazon so I just canceled my order. Will wait and see how serious of an issue this is and if Apple will fix it. [Link]
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39 replies on “Major iPod Nano Problems”
I’ve been playing with mine for two days now and IMO scratches don’t matter that much, they add character to the unit according to Steve J. ! I have some pictures posted on my blog.
My original iPod from 4 years ago is scratched beyond recognition – looks very dignified indeed 😉
What color is your nano because the white isnt as bad as the black.
The unit comes with a clear plastic adhesive covering the whole front of the unit. This is a separate layer than the plastic wrapping covering all iPods (you know, the one that says “don’t steal music”). Just leave it on to protect the front, but you have to us a sharp knife to remove the lower extrusion, which originally covers the port at the base.
Thats not the solution to the problem. I could keep it in the box as well untouched and it wouldn’t get scratch.
Apple have built enough ipods to understand how they will be used. When you can scratch a nano by wipping it with a tissue, then there is a problem.
The ultra lightweight nature of the epoxy-polypropylene-polymer used in the contruction of the housing makes the device susceptable to surface scratching. I try to run a magneto-coiled-energy-flux field around my Nano that protects it from fingernails to photon torpedos
Sound like i know what im talking about huh?
Rassam: this is what I did and you can see it in the pictures I posted. I left the layer on the front and this is the limit of how I’d pamper it. Besides, unless Apple coats the units with sapphire crystal glass the unit will get scratched anyhow, you can only minimize to which extent. I usually keep the unit in my shirt or side pockets, and the only thing I have to watch out for is not sitting on the unit! There are a few minute scratches on the unit already mostly from coming into contact with other objects I keep in my pockets.
As for the unit getting scratched after being wiped with a tissue, I’d say this is an exaggeration unless the tissue is made of steel wool :-/ I don’t like cases on my iPods because they make the units bulky. Just relax and enjoy them, you know you’ll be getting a new one in a few months anyhow!
ok you can’t come and say the ipod nano doesnt scratch and then say you have a transparent film protecting it. if you remove the film does the ipod nano get scratched more easily then the regular ipod? according to people the answer is yes. the ipod is supposed to be used without the film.
secondly the problem seems to effect the BLACK nano’s not the white. The scratches don’t show on the white nano but they show a lot more easily on the black nano. you have a white nano thats why you don’t have a problem.
finally the issue isn’t that apple should make the ipod scratch proof (altough that would be great). The issue is how come the ipod nano scratches MORE then the regular iPod. the reason for that seems to the be the choice of material apple used and which they seem to be considering fixing.
Again the issue is how you value your iPod experience. Lets call this the Mont Blanc fountain pen syndrome: do you want to enjoy writing with your fine pen anywhere and everywhere, or simply keep it prominently displayed on your table in order to protect its fine finish?
I didn’t say the nano doesn’t scratch, did I? In fact I said the scratches and dents on all my previous iPods are most welcomed since they add to the character of the unit. If you want to protect the unit use a case / skin / leave the protective film it came with. As for if it does scratch more easily than regular iPods, in my experience all iPods I had since the first one – and I have used all generations of the unit – do get scratched. To which extent? You’d have to use a mechanical luster gauge to find out.
As for the scratches being more visible on black units, sure that should happen due to the laws of physics. A scratch in the plastic casing creates a cavity between plastic-air-plastic and as the light travels between the different refraction indices of plastic and air it scatters making the scratched line look more prominent. On white units this scattering is less visible since there is plenty of light being reflected from the white background, and it is this lack of light in the background of black units that makes the scratches on these units more visible :-)) But the choice of another plastic with a different index or refraction might minimize the appearance of the scratches.
Does that mean I’m not gonna buy a black unit when they become widely available? No way! I’m already planning on purchasing several units in both colors, the nano simply rocks!
it has nothing to do with wanting to protect the nano and preserving it for many years to come scratch free.
the issue is the ipod nano uses plastic which scratches a lot more easily then then any of the previous generations ipod. I had the original 20gb ipod and it was scratched like crazy when i sold it. the chrome back, the plastic front, its expected to scratch. BUT, it didnt get scratched just by having it in my pocket or by wiping it with a tissue.
the issue with the nano is that its getting scratched without any effort. Tons of people have reported scratches from fingernails, having it in the pocket, wiping it with a cotton tshirt etc.. THATS the problem. You said you have had the ipod for a few days and you already have scratches. imagine how many scratches you will have in a month. imagine if you had a black nano. now you see the problem? if you don’t mind easily scratching your ipod thats just your opinion. most people would rather not have a scratched ipod.
Just as I said, iPods since day 1 got scratched. I honestly don’t see what is the problem here. So it gets scratch, so WHAT :-/ Its not made from diamond you know! Everything you put in your pockets gets scratched – just listen to those who whine about their mobile phones. BIG DEAL! Out of curiosity Mark, how do you handle scratches on your car?
OK just to settle this point, I’ve removed the plastic film from the nano and gave it a quick rub with a Kleenex. Nothing! Fingernails … my shirt … again nothing. maybe I should get a microscope? I’ll use it as usual, like I said I don’t baby my units and let me see how it will look in two more days 😉
sorry dude but i dont know what kind of car you drive where if you brush up against it you scratch it.
once again i will repeat myself. its not about the nano getting scratched. EVERYTHING gets scratched, BUT how easily is the problem here.
Does the nano get scratched easier then your phone?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your ipod mini?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your watch?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your monitor screen?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your camera?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your glasses?
Does the nano get scratched easier then your Mt Blanc?
I am guessing you will answer yes to all the above.
Everytime you brush up against your car you create micro scratches. Dust particles are quartz which is harder than the laminated overcoat on your cars paint job.
Does the nano get scratched easier then your phone?
Nope I have a relatively new phone, just as I type this I’m subjecting them both to teh same treatment. Nothing.
Does the nano get scratched easier then your ipod mini?
you mean the screen of the mini? nothing on both fronts.
Does the nano get scratched easier then your watch?
This I must say yes since my watch has a sapphire crystal glass, but we are diverging from the type of products we are comparing (plastic vs glass)
Does the nano get scratched easier then your monitor screen?
(See above)
Does the nano get scratched easier then your camera?
Funny you mentioned this. I purchased a Leica MP with black paint especially to get that aged scrached-up look. Oh you mean the lens? Again: glass vs plastic.
Does the nano get scratched easier then your glasses?
(see above)
Does the nano get scratched easier then your Mt Blanc?
I answered this one in the previous post: my pen is so full of scratches because I use it.
I am guessing you will answer yes to all the above.
Nope!
OK dude, you seem to be in denial or something but whatever the case is, I will take the word of the 500 people in the link to the thread I posted who say the nano scratches easily over your word. No offence.
Suit yourself, and its certainly your prerogative. Its easy to find people who like to complain about anything and everything, and always they are large in number because good-news-is-no-news. Myself, life is far to important to spend it whining about some microscopic scratches on an otherwise great product.
dude you have the actual ipod nano protective film still on! what are you talking about??
Are you talking to me? If you are then go back a few comments: I removed the film to conduct a few experiments.
lol yeah but you have been using it WITH the film
Honestly, have you been reading my comments? I said: “I’ll use it as usual, like I said I don’t baby my units and let me see how it will look in two more days”.
Plus, All the experiments you mentioned above: nothing beyond whats expected.
According to you, you said “I left the layer on the front and this is the limit of how I’d pamper it.”
This means you have been using the nano with the film on it which would make it difficult to scratch you know…
Man, where have you been all this time?
READ THIS: “OK just to settle this point, I’ve removed the plastic film from the nano and gave it a quick rub with a Kleenex. Nothing! Fingernails … my shirt … again nothing. maybe I should get a microscope? I’ll use it as usual, like I said I don’t baby my units and let me see how it will look in two more days”, and what follows it.
You guys need a neutural position on this matter.
Kuwaiti Demon,
Mark is saying that he has heard rumors of it scratching easily. And he feel that Apple should have put more thought into the thing being scratch proof and able to withstand shock.
Mark,
The guy is saying he has one .. and it doesnt scratch as easily as what some people are stating.
To resolve this argument .. Kuwaiti demon, use it normally for a week without the plastic wrap and give us a review on how the thing stood up to the wear and tear. Mark, wait a week.
🙂
Kuwaiti Demon my point was ofcourse its not going to scratch if the protective film is on it. You said you have been using the ipod with the protective film. i am saying thats the reason your ipod hasn’t been scratched yet. what part of this don’t u get?
And what part of “I’ve removed the plastic film”, and the followup experiments don’t you get?
dude u just removed the film today!
blah .. you guy are still at it.
ofcourse because he has been arguing all this time that the ipod nano doesnt scratch yet the thing is he has had the protective film on the nano!! lol
Kuwaiti Demon- I use a bunch of Mont Blanc pens and I sometimes carry them in my pocket along with my keys. They don’t scratch easily at all. I don’t think there’s a comparison here.
hey you guys what about getting a life?
i mean i’d rather have a nano than a zen micro byt maybe i’ll buy the zen (now… does that turn my life upside down? maybe not…) the nano has that cool look but i’ll suit myself to the occasion all i’m saying is that if I know that the scratches (that will certainly appear) will bother me I will not buy the product maybe some other people are able to deal with scratches and thats the question you ought to make to make to yourself ( and you should do it several times if you are like me and you are saving some money to buy a good mp3 player)
I have had 3 Nanos. 3!!!!! They all died the same way. I bought it to work out with, and bought the lanyard headphones to go with it. What I have found is you had better buy a good case. Mine scratched, but I expected it to, the problem was if just a little drop of moisture i.e. sweat gets on the lanyard plug that goes into the sync port, that moisture will be drawn into the orifice via a wicking action and cause permanent malfunction. It is locked on the screen ‘Firewire connection not supported with this device. To transfer songs connect with USB cable provided’. Haywire! The Nano is a super cool product but some engineer somewhere should probably do something about that tendency to go haywire when a drop of moisture gets into the sync port. I am not hard on the device at all otherwise. It’s a fragile unit folks. And not just with the screen, but the semiconductor design as well. My third just took a dump. I’d had it for a week. The funny thing is I just ordered a case for it. I’ll just sing songs in my head now.
I bought a 2 gig nano 3 weeks (17122005)ago and returned it for another one (black or white no diff.) the problem is the same, the right signal of the power amp starts to have a annoying crakling break-up sound.
Is this just my bad luck, or is this an inherent problem to all Ipod Nano’s
Thanks in advance,
Brian W
my stupid ipod keeps tweeking when i want to listen to a song ill click play but it wont it just keeps zooming through all the songs
Its true that there seems to a software flaw with IPOD Nano. I purchased one from their Virgin location a few weeks a go and so far had to take it in to Mac City twice because it constantly freezes and does not charge the battery when connecte to a PC/Mac. It seems that the interior components are the ones that get hindered whenever it is moved or shaken (e.g. workouts/car vibration). However, I have never had a problem with my other IPOD’s (Mini/Shuffle).
i havent heard of this issue.. u might have a lemon?
i have the “Firewire connection not supported with this device. To transfer songs connect with USB cable provided” fault appearing, i.e. appears for no reasons when iPod is not connected to anything. if the Ipod Nano design is so faulty that it can not handle the tiniest drop of moisture getting anywhere near it then it should not be marketed as a workout mp3 player (ie the Nike iPod thing). I bought mine cause I go to the gym 4-5 times a week for 2-3 hour sessions. I have it on my arm in the kind of wrist strap-arm holder thing. I get sweaty. The arm band gets sweaty. What else does Apple expect to happen in such circumstances?????
This is a serious flaw in the iPod design. It is making me think I need to find a different MP3 player that can handle going to the gym with me.
my cousin froze my iPod nano and now it ain’t workin can somebody help me PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZ
I just started getting the Firewire error, also; literally a year after purchase (it was a father’s day gift from my wife). I use it to run exclusively, and have had 2 different carrying cases for it (Dio seemed to be the best, but I can’t find a replacement, so I have a cheezy rubber one from Agent 13). I searched through many discussion groups about this error, and no one really seems to have a difinitive answer/solution. Some people say try getting a new usb plug, others say reformat the iPod, still more say look at the connections. Luckily, I used some canned air to blast away any debris from the port, and that seems to have cleared up the problems. Hopefully, that’s all that it needed.