Enviable New iPod.

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Author: Dreier, Troy

The ultimate in digital chic is now a bit sleeker. For the second time, Apple has redesigned the Apple iPod â€" which in our estimation was already the best portable music player â€" making it thinner and upping the capacity to 30GB on the high-end model ($499 direct). Apple also has introduced new 10GB ($299) and 15GB ($399) models.

New system software lets all three units work with Macs and FireWire-equipped Windows PCs out of the box (USB 2.0 support for Windows machines is in the works). The 30GB version we tested measures 2.4 by 4.0 by 0.7 inches and weighs 6.2 ounces (versus 7.2 for the previous-generation iPod). Unfortunately, slimming down also trims the battery life. We got about 8 hours 15 minutes of continuous play, whereas previous iPods delivered 11 hours or more.

The redesigned iPod comes with a PDA-like docking/charging cradle. The dock has a line-out port so that you can connect a set of powered speakers and use the iPod as a mini stereo system. Augmenting the touch wheel for navigation are buttons above the wheel. They take some getting used to, as even grazing your fingertips across them sets them off.

The iPod 2.0 system software brings a bevy of new features, including an alarm, the ability to customize the main menu and make playlists on the fly (rather than only on your PC), and a song-rating facility that lets you assign one- to five-star ratings to each tune. All worked flawlessly on our tests.

Buyers also get the new version of iTunes, Apple's digital-jukebox software (though the utility is still for Apple machines only). The biggest feature here is seamless integration with Apple's new online music store. Unlike with other music services, there is no monthly fee, just a per-song charge (typically 99 cents) or a per-album charge (starting at $9.99) to download the AAC-format files. Users can then burn the music files to a CD, transfer them to a portable player, or transfer them to two other PCs.

There's enough that's new here to inspire iPod envy among current iPod owners and newcomers alike. If you see a lot of older iPods popping up on eBay, you'll know why.

Apple iPod

Direct price: With 30GB, $499. Requires: FireWire port: Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X 10.2 or later recommended) or Microsoft Windows Me, 2000, or XP. Apple Computer Inc., 408-996-1010, www.apple.com.

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The PDA-like docking cradle lets you easily see the iPod's crisp display.

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By Troy Dreier