apple-history.com / iPod mini

apple-history / iPod mini
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# iPod mini

Essentials

Family: iPod

Codename: ?

Minimum OS: iPod mini OS 1.0

Maximum OS: iPod mini OS 1.4.1

Introduced: January 2004

Terminated: February 2005

Processor

CPU: ARM7TDMI

CPU Speed: dual 80 MHz embedded

FPU: none

Register Width: 32-bit

Data Bus Width: 32-bit

Address Bus Width: 32-bit

ROM: 32 MB

Onboard RAM: 32 MB

Maximum RAM: 32 MB

Video

Screen: 1.67" backlit LCD

Max Resolution: 1-bit 138x110

Storage

Hard Drive: 4 GB 4200 RPM

ATA Bus: ATA-66

Input/Output

USB: via Dock Connector

Firewire: via Dock Connector

Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini

Speaker: clicker

Miscellaneous

Dimensions: 3.6" H x 2.0" W x 0.5" D

Weight: 0.225 lbs.

Announced in January 2004, the iPod mini was the height and width of a business card. Built around a 1" 4 GB hard drive, the iPod mini raised the bar for portability in a hard disk music player. It was small enough to wear comfortably on an arm band, but large enough to hold nearly 1,000 songs. For its small size, Apple charged a premium: the 4 GB iPod mini was $249, only $50 less than a 15 GB full size iPod. Apple believed that its small size and consumer appeal would make up for its high price. As Apple hoped, iPod mini's sold extremely well. So well, in fact, that demand vasty outstripped supply long into the summer months.

The iPod mini was available in five metalic colors: silver, gold, pink, blue and green. it was based around the PortalPlayer PP5020 System-on-a-chip, the same chip that would later power the iPod (Click Wheel). In order to fit everything in such a small package, Apple had to change the layout of the buttons from the exiting iPod design. All buttons were again made mechanical, and the four buttons which had previously been at the top of the front face were now placed underneath the scroll wheel. The result, which Apple called a "ClickWheel" allowed users to use the wheel as a touch-sensitive scroll wheel, or push on the four corners to click the buttons.

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.