the stainless back [Archive] - iPod - iPhone

espanoliPod

09-08-2007, 11:16 PM

I just picked up the new nano a few hours ago, a 4 gig silver. When I got home, I opened the package, flipped it over, and to my utter shock and dismay, I saw myself on the back of the iPod. I am very unhappy that they returned to the stainless steel backs, they are scratch magnets; several of my friends have 1st gen nanos and you cannot even see the apple logo oon the back it is scratched so badly. And to make matters worse, I asked a Best Buy employee today when they are going to be getting cases in for the new nanos. He said he did not know, but it was probably going to be in about a month. Hopefully the back on my nano isn't a mess by then. So what does everyone else think of the return of the stainless backs?

Bonk

09-08-2007, 11:18 PM

Return? Weren't the backs always the same?

espanoliPod

09-08-2007, 11:30 PM

on the original 1g iPod nano the back was the same as the 3g back is now. the 2g had the scratchproof casing all around except for the plastic on the top and bottom.

jhollington

09-08-2007, 11:39 PM

Yes, I'm equally disappointed in that change. While I do think the design of the 3G nano looks much nicer than the 1G ever did, I would have preferred styling based more upon the design of the 2G.

I can handle the chrome back on the full-size "classic" but it seems out of place on the nano.

Then again, it will probably just take some getting used to. The general design is otherwise quite nice, although the dimensions also take some getting used to.

andykm717

09-09-2007, 12:11 AM

why not just brush the back? fixes everything!

npd2004

09-09-2007, 12:24 AM

I just went over to walmart and bought a few screen protectors for 6 dollars. I put one on the screen, and one on the chrome. It seems to be holding up pretty well until I can get a case.

JazzyMac

09-09-2007, 12:33 AM

I just picked up the new nano a few hours ago, a 4 gig silver. When I got home, I opened the package, flipped it over, and to my utter shock and dismay, I saw myself on the back of the iPod. I am very unhappy that they returned to the stainless steel backs, they are scratch magnets; several of my friends have 1st gen nanos and you cannot even see the apple logo oon the back it is scratched so badly.
My ipods all have protection on them.

But my main question is: You went to a store and plopped $150+ down without researching the product???? :shake:

Yeesh. Can you buy me some stuff? They're all great, I promise!

jhollington

09-09-2007, 08:04 AM

No offense to some of the posters above, but to be honest, I have to wonder how people actually treat their iPods... I've never been big on cases except for specific situations that require them (certain outdoor activities), but most of the time I don't wrap any of my iPods in a case. I've never gotten nearly the amount of scratching that people on these forums seem to complain about.

My chrome-backed iPods have a few minor scratches here and there, but for the most part, they've held up pretty well, and this goes back to my original fourth-generation.

Of course, it depends upon how you actually use it, but the fact of the matter is that you either slap it in a case if you're going to be placing it in scratch-prone situations (just tossing it in a briefcase or gym bag, for instance), or you take more care as to how you carry it. I generally carry my iPods in a separate pocket from things that would scratch them (loose change, keys, pens, etc), and have a separate pocket in my laptop bag as well.

I'm not a big fan of the chrome back on the new nano, but I'm not that worried about the scratch-ability of it.

JazzyMac

09-09-2007, 08:12 AM

Can't stand pockets, so during transit the ipod will go in a purse or the middle console. I used the invisibleshield for the first month or so of having my 5G ipod and by the second day I wasn't even babying it anymore. The leather case was just more security for me since I knew it would be going back and forth from work to car, plane, bags, etc. Just this past Friday I was balancing glasses case, books, ipod as I was carrying groceries and walking up the stairs. Something fell. It was my eyeglasses case. (whew!)

I like to keep my stuff new also for the upgradeability. I've sold all previous editions for great prices (in my book), and lets the next person know that they can have a used item that still looks brand spanking new.

kyussmondo

09-09-2007, 08:47 AM

I just use the cloth case that came with my 80GB Video. Sure it isn't the best, but it isn't bulky and protects it from scratching. I am not sure whether the new Nano comes with any form of case though.

I have to admit though that I do think the 2nd gen Nano was a much better design. I wish Apple would move away from shiny backs.

paranoidxe

09-09-2007, 12:03 PM

The chrome back makes it look classy in my opinion, but yeah for a device that gets thrown around in pockets, backpacks, etc. its not that smart.

Code Monkey

09-09-2007, 01:12 PM

The chrome back makes it look classy in my opinion, but yeah for a device that gets thrown around in pockets, backpacks, etc. its not that smart.That has ever been the schizophrenia of the iPod design. If it were a piece of home stero equipment that would sit still on shelf, then many of Apple's design choices would be arguably slick looking. However, for a portable music player, it's the epitome of bad ideas - you either buy protection and cover it up so you can't see what's supposed to be so classy anyhow, or the classy soon looks like the classy of the alcoholic former Italian suit wearing businessmen now living in a cardboard box without a shower in over a year.

espanoliPod

09-09-2007, 03:21 PM

My ipods all have protection on them.

But my main question is: You went to a store and plopped $150+ down without researching the product???? :shake:

Yeesh. Can you buy me some stuff? They're all great, I promise!
well i knew what i was getting, i was getting a 4 gig silver nano. i thought that they didn't change the material of the casing that was on the 2g models. i had seen that it had a stainless steel back on the specs on the apple website, but being a bit of an iPod noob, i didn't know that that was the same thing that was on the back of the 1g nano. i just know it as 'the shiny back that scratches a lot.' so i guess i am at fault for not researching more. i just bought some plastic screen covers at walmart, so i'm going to put one on the back and one on the screen until accessory companies ship out the cases for the 3g nano.

Germansuplex

09-09-2007, 03:46 PM

I like the actual look of the polished stainless steel, but I always thought it clashed with the device for it's primary purpose: a portable media player.

I don't like using cases: the iPod is a sleek device, so putting it in a bulky case isn't something I like to do. I usually go with a Best Skins Ever as a compromise. I do sometimes go without cases, and I never get large, noticeable scratches. But I don't like the hairline scratches either. You put a new 5G iPod in even a clean, empty pocket and go for a walk, and you'll see tons of tiny scratches all over it when you're done.

I would have loved to see the new nanos and iPod classics reatain the all-aluminum design of the last gen nanos.

Illyaf

09-09-2007, 07:23 PM

on the original 1g iPod nano the back was the same as the 3g back is now. the 2g had the scratchproof casing all around except for the plastic on the top and bottom.

Scratchproof ? I have a 2g nano, it is not scratchproof.

Ldog12395

09-09-2007, 07:34 PM

just use this stuff
http://www.ipodcleaner.com/

espanoliPod

09-09-2007, 08:39 PM

Scratchproof ? I have a 2g nano, it is not scratchproof.
well, i should have reworded that, the 2g nano is scratch resistant. the metal casing around it does not scratch easily, at least not as easily as the stainless steel backs. i decided to buy screen protectors and i put one on the screen, one on the back, and i am keeping the nano in an iPod sock, which was $4.50 for 5 of them in walmart. this is my temporary solution until belkin or iskin comes out with a silicon skin for the nano.

espanoliPod

09-09-2007, 08:44 PM

just use this stuff
http://www.ipodcleaner.com/
wow, that stuff is expensive...

Ldog12395

09-09-2007, 08:53 PM

wow, that stuff is expensive...
ya but it's worht it, it does an excellent job of getting the scratches out.

bfcoughlin

09-09-2007, 08:58 PM

I was surprised they returned to the stainless back. There was a good deal of acclaim over the sleek, scratch resistant case of the 2G. I noticed in the initial screen shots of the 3G that there were fingerprints all over the back--and this was a unit that had never been used! I'm not a freak about keeping my nano looking as if it's never been used, but, when they'd come up with a design that looked good even with steady use, it seems odd that they'd regress.

pilkey01

09-10-2007, 04:11 PM

Scratchproof ? I have a 2g nano, it is not scratchproof.
Well it may get scratched if you take a knife to it, but as far as pockets go, it will not get scratched unless its in there with keys, coins, etc.

For anyone else worried about their new nano's back scratching, ShieldZone already have new InvisibleSheilds for the new models. (http://www.shieldzone.com/ipods/)

johnc_22

09-11-2007, 11:13 AM

Suasexed

09-11-2007, 05:32 PM

I've decided to go and buy a 2G Nano because of the shiny backed new Nanos. The shiny back looks great, box fresh, but after a few days - even looking after it really, really well it'll be covered in many fine hairline scratches. Not good for perfection based OCD! ;) I've not been able to buy a full sizes iPod because of this, nor the first Nanos and won't be able to the Touch either. I thought they would go with the iPhone back, matt stainless steel - looks really nice and gives the contrast Apple are aft. Ah well.

Marcos

09-12-2007, 11:38 AM

lets face it, as long as the screen doesnt get scratched and the player works, you cant really be too upset that the player is going to get scratched.

i'm only going to replace it in a year or so anyway

espanoliPod

09-13-2007, 03:17 PM

Imagine if it were completely scratchproof - there would not be nearly the large number of companies making money selling iPod accessories. Look at all of us clamoring for decent cases that are probably still 4 weeks away! The number of companies dependent on the iPod's success for their own success just helps Apple build the hype when a new product is forthcoming. IMO.

I do love the size and layout of the new nano - picked up an 8GB silver one on Saturday at the Apple store.
hmm... i see your point there, but i can't see that as being apple's reason for the return of the stainless backs. apple isn't a company that would use that kind of logic (at least, i hope they're not). i'd imagine that most companies that make mp3 players, portable game systems, and other things, do not give a poop about accessory companies and their products unless the accessory is going to boost the sales of the player itself. i, like many others in this thread have stated, do like the classy look of the stainless back, but it is only temporary without some kind of protection on it, because it scratches up within days and ends up looking like crap if you don't cover it somehow.

JazzyMac

09-14-2007, 05:10 AM

For the OCDs, why doesn't anyone get invisibleshield or best skins ever? Works great without covering up the ipod?????

johnc_22

09-14-2007, 01:41 PM

hmm... i see your point there, but i can't see that as being apple's reason for the return of the stainless backs. apple isn't a company that would use that kind of logic (at least, i hope they're not). i'd imagine that most companies that make mp3 players, portable game systems, and other things, do not give a poop about accessory companies and their products unless the accessory is going to boost the sales of the player itself. i, like many others in this thread have stated, do like the classy look of the stainless back, but it is only temporary without some kind of protection on it, because it scratches up within days and ends up looking like crap if you don't cover it somehow.No, I have no idea why they went back to the stainless back. It is classy as you say but it's so delicate that you have to cover it and then no one can enjoy it's classiness . . . :confused: It seems they could use a reflective metal and make it more durable but then . . . gosh . . . it might cost another $2/unit or something like that. I'd prefer a back that matches the front as it seems pretty durable. I still will probably get a Vaja case for it when they have something.

espanoliPod

09-15-2007, 09:59 AM

For the OCDs, why doesn't anyone get invisibleshield or best skins ever? Works great without covering up the ipod?????
well, i got plastic covers after realizing it was the stainless back, i was still kind of mad that they didn't keep the durable casing that was on the nano. and you are correct, i am ocd about these kind of things :D

the god of the

09-15-2007, 12:18 PM

tonyclifton

09-15-2007, 12:52 PM

I agree, I like the stainless back

the only ipod i have ever owned is the 5.5G ipod vid which has a stainless steel back and its a little scratched here and there but it still looks nice and i dont see the huge problem with it i personally prefer the steel back on it and I'm also glad to see they didn't make the back of the touch like the iphone.

unr1

12-27-2007, 03:03 PM

iStuffzz

12-27-2007, 03:33 PM

the only ipod i have ever owned is the 5.5G ipod vid which has a stainless steel back and its a little scratched here and there but it still looks nice and i dont see the huge problem with it i personally prefer the steel back on it and I'm also glad to see they didn't make the back of the touch like the iphone.

that's how mine is. i've dropped it from 5/6 feet onto hard floor and it still only has 2 or 3 scratched that you can only notice if you're looking for them. i like the stainless steel back.