Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPod Family
Who cares if iPods scratch easily?
No one
would argue that iPods are scratch resistant. They seem to be scratch magnets, but does it really matter? Chris at
decaffeinated thinks not, in fact he thinks that
the iPod's propensity for getting scuffed up only adds to the experience.His reasoning is this: the iPod is now a fashion accessory, so that means it has to be beautiful, which it is. Beautiful things tend to be delicate, and since the iPod is scratched so easily it is therefore delicate.
This only adds to the mystique, says Chris, and most people (like, people who don't read blogs about any computer companies, let alone about Apple) aren't pitching a fit about the scratches.
So, what do you think? Does the relative delicate nature of the iPod only enhance its desirability?
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Francisco said 8:26AM on 3-26-2006
I have a Nano and yes, it's scratched. I personally don't care. I always take off the protective plastics and I don't care. Many people do. Like chinese, on chinese restaurants here in Portugal, who have all chairs packed in plastic so they don't get dirty. Well, i don't wanna die knowing I have pretty neat stuff at home, almost brand new. I want to use them, take pleasure out of them and for me it requires not having plastics all over it, especially that after some time they get all dirty and act as dust magnets. If for other people it does, so leave it, or buy additional covers!
Ok, the nano gets more scratched than usual, but I went to see my mobile phone's screen and it's scratched, my camera's screen is scratched, as is my TV remote, my keyhanger, the door knob of the car from the key and my pans! It's the use! Yes, we sent people to the Moon but I bet you the Apollo capsule is scratched too!
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Jeff said 9:25AM on 3-26-2006
I've had my 3G encased in soft Corinthian leather since day one. I like my bling pristine.
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danamyx said 9:39AM on 3-26-2006
I keep a Lajo cover on mine so it's protected, but I take good care of all the stuff I own. I would prefer that it was more resistant to scratches. I don't look at it as fashionable or chic to have a "scratched-up anything" but I can understand why some people would feel that way.
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Gene said 10:23AM on 3-26-2006
I believe that being prone to scratching creates a bond between device and owner. I see iPod owners caressing their iPod, cleaning it constantly, carrying around special cloths to polish it... like it was a vintage MG roadster or something. This all adds up to making the iPod seem like a coveted object, almost a holy relic. The people who complain about and constantly worry about scratches are playing right into a subtle mind game (possibly intentional by Apple) designed to keep us all from treating our iPods like just any other MP3 player. When was the last time you saw someone carefully polishing their Rio?
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drmr said 11:26AM on 3-26-2006
First of all: I for one have become a "if it's being used it is allowed to look used" kinda person. I haven't always been that way. But at some point you realize it takes away so much life quality worrying about things you get to make you feel better in the first place.
As for my precious nano: I never bothered looking for cases. I tried one at the store at the very beginning and, honestly, it takes away pretty all of the extraordinary build quality. I now have it wrapped in an inexpensive transparent "ipodome" skin that, when applied properly, isn't noticeable in any way. I don't really get why people don't jump at these, they are darn close to the perfect solution.
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Sean said 11:55AM on 3-26-2006
I think all of yall are just trying to find ways of justifying why your iPod looks bad...I have a nano, and it looks as good as the day when I opened it out of the box. I'm not peronoid about it either. I bought a fashionable case for it-a Pacific Design- and I even get compliments from about everyone who sees my iPod on how nice the case looks. This is just my personal opinion, but I like everything I buy to look nice, but if in in the future it gets a scratch, it really won't make any difference in the sound quality, and thats why we bouth the iPod, right? Well, thats why I bought mine.
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Stevan said 1:11PM on 3-26-2006
I use my 5G for music. If I used it only for videos, I might be more upset. The ipod is a tool, an accessory. Tools get used, abused because we enjoy using them, esp. if they work well.
The scratches on my 5G are indication that I have a great time using the stupid little thing.
No worries here, mate.
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jaysee said 1:27PM on 3-26-2006
I can't believe some of the crap that's being said in these comments... "scratches are a feature", "if you love your iPod you'll let it get scratched", "scratches show how special the iPod is"... come on guys! It's a music player, a DAP and it scratches like hell!
The fact is that some people, and this thread seems to have brought out a few of them, will make excuses for Apple for anything they do. Yes, scratches on stuff will give it a "personality" and people will eventually get used to their new things getting old and allow them to do so "naturally" as it were but the iPod scratching doesn't show how precious it is or how wonderful it is but just that Apple used cheap plastic.
Also, as someone who has my nano in a case (iSkin duo - nice and snug), I resent being told that this means that I am babying my iPod and should be looked upon with "distain and pity". I put my iPod in a case because I think it is too fragile and I don't want it to get busted and because I don't want to have to worry about chucking it in my bag and having it come out all banged up, scratched, and with sand and crap in the ports.
I have had a non-iPod DAP and let me tell you that before I had a case for either of my music players I treated them exactly the same - my iPod is scratched to buggery (luckily I brought a screen protecter) while my other DAP is still in practically perfect condition.
The scratching and fragility of iPods may be many things but it is NOT a feature.
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Mark D. said 2:04PM on 3-26-2006
Well, when I got my Nano I half-worried, I had an mp3 player with a clear large plastic surface before and it ot some harsh scratches (none that bothered me or prevented it's use, mind you.) When th enano started to develop a few I dug around a bit and foound that Brasso is like anagical elixer of screen vitality, I polished the old mp3 player first (everything disappeared, like new, almost) then the Nano. Suddenly all the complaining I'd seen seemed so insignificant, I went and bought the then finally released Nano cases and put a layer of frisket film on the screen, problem solved either way.
I figure unlike a laptop the screen on the Nano (or anything besides the iPod + video) will get a handful of seconds viewing when in use, so scratching never bothered me. It's still smaller than that old mp3 player (the RCA Lyra 40gb, for those of you wondering) and that's really why I bought it.
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gsf1980 said 3:13PM on 3-26-2006
Two words: Invisible shield. Best $25 i ever spent. Lifetime warranty, non scratchable iPod cover. Keeps my 5G 60 GB (black) looking brand new.
http://www.theinvisibleshield.com
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Mike said 7:06PM on 3-26-2006
I have a 5G video and put a invisible shield on it. It has no scratches and would look perfect if i were to talk the shield off. iPods don't look cool scratched...what does? I had a 3G before that and scratched the heck out of it. Yeah true it still played music perfectly, but if I bought my iPod just to play music, i would've bought a DELL Jukebox or some other junk like that. iPods are a work of art, but not if they're scratched.
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Matthew said 10:49PM on 3-26-2006
Love Mac and read this blog every day, but my answer is still-
HEEEEEEELLLLLL NO!
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Mac Diva said 11:28PM on 3-26-2006
Award for the best comment on this thread goes to Francisco:
"Yes, we sent people to the Moon but I bet you the Apollo capsule is scratched too!"
I think that sums up the issue up really well. Anything that is put to use will show signs of wear. People can control those signs to a degree by using iPod cases if they want to. But, the screeching about scratches on iPods (which I don't believe scratch any worse that other plastics and metals in electronics) is silly.
Something else. I think obsessing about wear on one's objects is projection. The people who do it are probably overly concerned about wear on their bodies -- signs of mortality, you know. Farewell to wisdom teeth. Or hello to root canals. Chronic tennis elbow or a bad knee. The need for eyeglasses or contacts. Move over Dick Cheney. And, so on. It is much easier to focus on the scratches on your iPod.
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Richard said 1:04AM on 3-27-2006
These responses are hilarious! I can't believe people are actually okay with how easily the iPod scratches.
Put very simply - iPods should NOT scratch so easily. PERIOD. They are very expensive music players, and should be a bit more durable for the price you pay.
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Al said 3:24AM on 3-27-2006
I bought an iPod, filled it with music, then threw it in my bag and its been there ever since (erm... I mean, I get it out to listen to it etc). As long as you don't throw your keys in on top of it, no problem. It's there to play music, not to wear on your belt as a fashion accessory. I see these people walking round, with their noses cocked up and their gleaming iPods on display, as if they're the only person in the world who has one. Gimme a break. Twenty years ago it was the Walkman. Ten years ago it was the cell phone - now its the iPod. and the iPod, like the cell phone, like the walkman, is just a tool. As long as it works, who cares what it looks like? Scratches? Comes with the territory. Although, considering how much they cost, you think they'd be a bit tougher. ;)
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Ian said 5:33PM on 3-27-2006
My glasses don't scratch. I bought nice ones that you could certainly say are a fashion accessory. In fact, I spent more on them than I did on my iPod.
First, it is entirely possible to scratch protect a soft plastic (such as high-index lenses). Second, I don't want my nice things to show wear immediately nor do I want them to be horribly disfigured by a few weeks of sitting in my pocket.
If it were all about the music then I wouldn't have gotten an iPod, I'd have gotten something much cheaper that did the exact same thing.
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Andy Lee said 6:35PM on 3-27-2006
Most commenters here are still missing the point. Yes, we love our iPods, scratched or not. But are we all saying that a scratch-prone iPod is a *more* attractive purchase than a super-tough one would be? Are we saying that if Apple offered two models that were identical except for the toughness factor, we would choose the more delicate model? Because that's what the cited article implies:
"[T]hose things are manufactured to be delicate and beautiful and expensive. On purpose. Really. [...] The new truth says its the cheap junk that is scratchproof and waterproof because real quality, real prestige, real beauty is fragile."
On purpose! If true, that would piss me off.
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Mathieu Tozer said 7:04AM on 3-29-2006
I agree with Cris. iPods get scratched. So what? So does everything. They're still beautiful, why would anyone want to cover that sleekness in a faux leather cover? Or anything!? Ew! I'd rather have scratches, thanks.
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Kstedman said 10:03PM on 4-22-2006
About the scratching...
Yes, I understand the elegance and beauty of the iPod. My frst one was a 4G and I really didnt care much for the scratching. It gave it, well, character. Basically, there was no other reason to look at the screen other than to select the song, or playlist, and put it back into a pocket.
However...I sold my 4G for a 5G. Man, this thing was black and beautiful. I placed it in my pocket, like I did with the 4g, and voila, the screen part of the front wound up scratched to hell. On a 4G, not a big deal. On a 5G where I am going to be staring at the screen for longer than a minute watching a video, its Aggravating. I have been able to get most of the scratches out but I have to tell you, I was not happy.
Someone at Apple should have realized that the video iPod screens need to stay immaculate because millions of eyes are now focused for longer than a moment and thats when imperfections rear their ugly head.
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MIke said 10:57AM on 4-25-2006
I don't think it's exactly fair to compare the issue with ipod scratches to issues with scratches on the CASES of other consumer electronics. Personally, I would like my ipod to remain in prestine condition, but the only thing that really matters to me is that the display screen remain un-damaged. I didn't pay 2 to 3 hundred dollars so that I can see the neat optical effects produced by the light bending around my scratched to hell screen. I have a palm treo 700w as my cell phone. The screen on it is larger than the ipod's and yet even though I have abused it much, much more than I have my ipod video, it still has yet to scratch once. It has been in my pocket with keys, change, poked at with a stylus and still - no scratch.
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