Customer Reviews

Apple iPod mini Dock

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I guess the big question is "What does the Dock do?" Well it makes both synching and charging your iPod mini, as well as connecting it to a receiver a bit easier.

The iPod mini comes with all the cables you need to connect it to your computer (Mac or PC) for charging and synching. Connecting the Dock to this cable instead of the iPod gives you a permanent place to charge and synch your iPod mini. All you have to do is slip the iPod mini in the Dock.

The Dock also makes it more convenient to connect your iPod mini to a stereo receiver for the times when headphones are not practical and/or appropriate. You'll need to buy a separate cable to connect the Dock to your receiver, but once you have it set up you can play music from your iPod mini through the more powerful speakers attached to your receiver. The Dock angels the iPod mini for perfect viewing and access to the controls, making this a great set up and further evidence to the obsolescence of CDs.

To make this set-up even better, connect the Dock to an electrical outlet and you'll never have to worry about your iPod running out of power. A perfect solution for playing your music at long parties and other gatherings.

The power iPod mini user will buy two Docks. One to keep forever connected to your computer and another to keep connected to your stereo receiver. This way, you won't have to swap the Dock from one machine to the other.

The Dock works flawlessly and the iPod mini slips easily in and out of it while keeping it secure while it's attached. I only wish that it offered something more than just convenience. An audio 'IN' line would be much welcomed.

I would actually only like to give this 4 stars. BUT: I'm giving it 5 to balance out the losers who gave it 1 star. The truth is, it does what it says. It gives me a way to stand up my mini ipod so it doesn't get smashed by all the things I throw on my desk. It keeps it from getting severely scratched by keeping it off its back sliding around, or worse, face down on its front. Your ipod CAME with the cables you need. For the jacka** that thought this was some kind of portable storage system (that he could take it to work and be magically connected to his system at home), you are a moron. It never implied it did any such thing. And if your goal was to set the dock above your desk at work and expect it to magically work, guess what? You need the cables from home. It doesn't come with its own set and it clearly states in the specs that it doesn't. Sure there are other ways to get the sound to your radio. They aren't cheaper though. Itrip has its flaws and it will cost you quite a bit.

For me, this dock is a simple way for me to set my ipod mini down, get it sync'd and charged without fumbling for the cord that fell behind the computer or watching my ipod slide across my slick desk right to the hard wood floor. It's simple because that's Apple's style.

The big flaw here? It's way overpriced. I would like to see this dock at 19.99. and even then ... that's probably 19.90 more than it cost to make. BUT ITS APPLE. If you spent $250 for the ipod, did you really think the accessories we're gonna sell for the cost of a cheap pair of Sony earbud headphones?

Advice: Ebay. I got mine free from Lexis Nexis ultimate rewards. I probably wouldn't have paid $40 bucks. I'm very glad to have it though. SO: If you have the money, it's very useful, quick, and protective.

As another reviewer noted, the dock is necessary to play your music through a stereo. The dock provides the required 'line out' function to hook to your reciever. It also serves as a cradle for charging the iPod. A fm transmitter will also allow you to play the ipod through the stereo reciever, but what you get is radio sounding tunes instead of stereo quality.
Another reviewer said the dock stratches the front of the ipod. I haven't yet had this trauma, and would probably cry if it were to happen. I push my ipod in at an angle, and it seems to avoid that nasty problem.
My only complaint is that for what you have to pay for an ipod, it should be included and not a separate extra. Docks are included with ipods over 15 gigs, so why do the little guys have to pay more?

The Dock is a beautifully made, weighted devices that does everything it promises very well. The problem with many of the reviews here seems to be misunderstandings about what it is *supposed* to do. It has only two ports on the back. One is a Dock Connector pass-through. This is the same port on the bottom of your iPod. With the latest firmware, you can charge and sync your iPod mini through the dock using either a USB 2.0-to-Dock Connector cable or FireWire-to-Dock Connector cable. One or both of these came with your iPod and both can be purchased from Apple. Since either function is possible without the Dock, you would use it this way as a convenience. For that, though, it is perfectly weighted. The other port, however, does not duplicate a function already on the iPod--it delivers a clean line-out (as distinguished from the iPod's headphones out port) for use with your home or car audio components. Line-level output is what your amplifier expects and the resulting sound is significantly better than it would be through the headphones out. (Except, of course, if you're using headphones.) Why, some have asked, didn't Apple include cables? Because there's no way to know how you plan to use the Dock. I have one in my car, one connected to my home stereo, and one connected to my IBM ThinkPad. Each one uses different cables. Several people have criticized the Dock for being too expensive. My response is twofold: First, this is a high-quality audio device and is beautifully constructed. Second, the price is not a mystery at the time you buy the thing. If it's not worth it to you, then don't buy it. (It goes without saying, I think, that if you have no idea what the Dock does, then don't buy it.) For me, the Dock is an indispensible part of the iPod experience, and the sound from its line out port is quite good. It's exactly what I wanted.

This is just the dock, no cables, nothing else. This will allow you to just snap the ipod in and charge and sync it at the same time. Yes, that's the exact same thing that the cable that comes with it does. You will also need the cable that came with it to use this dock. Why buy it? Well, it looks cool, and it also has an audio out that you can connect desktop speakers to and listen to your ipod like that.

I recently purchased the dock for my I-pod mini. I had read a lot of the critiques, and for me there was one use making it worthwhile: connecting the Ipod to a conventional stereo system.

- The dock has a heftier feel than I expected and is quite solid. It would be nice if it had a bit of a backrest, however, as clicking through songs when the ipod is in the dock sometimes requires two hands (one supporting the back of the Ipod).

- If you're only going to connect the ipod to your computer, then this dock offers little for you other than the aesthetic (and safety) of having your ipod sitting upright.

- The big plus for the dock is the Line Out jack on the back of it. It is a true line out -- not modified by volume or tone controls -- so it is a much safer way to transmit music from your ipod to your stereo receiver than the headphone jack is. The Line Out jack takes a standard stereo mini-headphone plug, so simply buy a $4 mini-headphone to stereo RCA cable and voila!

I purchased an Ipod so that I could have my music collection with me at the gym, pool, etc without carrying CDs. Now, with the dock attached to my stereo, I have the added convenience of being able to go through my music collection at home without going through my CDs, as well. A great addition, and I've given it 4 stars instead of 5 simply because it is slightly overpriced.

This is well designed product that fits the iPod mini perfectly, and allows it stand upright so it doesn't get banged around etc. while syncing or charging.

I bought two - one is attached to my stereo system and used as a standalone charger (and for playing music through the stereo), the second sits next to my Palm cradle and attaches to my USB 2.0 hub for syncing my iPod.

No gripes whatsoever, it is a very good looking product. I initially bought a third party cheaper product, the opening for the iPod is too big (though it works), it was clearlu designed to be used for the larger iPods - and it has an annoying LED that can't be turned off. Not very nice to have in a room where people sleep.

It also looks cheap. The Apple iPod mini dock looks very classy, not an eyesore in the slightest.

For the reviewer who said:

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Here's the joke, the dock is absolutely nothing more than a stand for your Mini. It comes with no cabling and it does not come with an AC adapter (that is another $40!) Apple makes sure that you can't get any idea of what you are buying until after you have purchased it and broken open the packaging.
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My iPod mini came with an AC adapter and a FireWire cable that attaches to the adapter. They plug right into the dock, nothing else needed to make the dock a standalone charger. If you want to use FireWire to connect to your mac/pc - then you will need to buy a second firewire cable. Me? I just use the USB2 cable that came with my mini for syncing.

The product description is incorrect, USB 2.0 works fine on the newer Macs that have such ports. It's overpriced; buy a gently-used one.

The price could use being a tad lower, but price aside, the product is excellent.

It's stylish in it's looks, which complement the Mini very well

it's practical as it provides a safe place to keep the Mini so it's always charged
It provides a great line-out connection for connecting to a home stereo (much better than hooking into the headphone jack)

In order to use the mini for those purposes you will also need some sort of dock-connector charger (I bought an off-brand charger off Amazon, works great), and a stereo-minijack to RCA (or whatever connector your hifi system has) cable as well.

I'm extremely happy with my purchase!

I'm, late to the game (see date ordered) BUT I only paid $4.50 for mine, brand new. Apple doesn't make the mini anymore but I had one that was barely used and needed it for powered speakers and it works great for that. It does what it was made for and at this price it was a no-brainer. As mentioned in earlier comments the mini came with all the cables needed. Looks good sitting on top of my desk or next to my speakers. Buy one if you have a mini. Check out the "new and used" link and you will find other vendors selling this for $4.25 on up, NEW and made by Apple!!