If the Mini iPod (4GB) was $150 - $175, then Apple would have a killer product, but not at $250. For $50 more, you get the *REAL* iPod. And one more thing, take a CLOSE look at Apple's comparison with the iPods' (regular and mini) screens. The Mini iPod does NOT have the same resolution screen as the regular iPod; it isn't just smaller, there are less pixels too. Gosh, I hate when things are list $1 below a whole $10 increment. Don't the marketing people know that psychological effect doesn't work any more? I'll keep saving my money and buy an iPod some day, or maybe just go to Best Buy and purchase one of the Rio players; there's quite a selection for under $200, AND some support FireWire. All I need it to purchase that FM Transmitter for the iPod (inserts into the iPod's mini stereo plug) I see in ClubMac/MacMall, and I can listen to my MP3s in the car.
Apple, you really missed the price point on this one. It seems that the mini hard drives in the iPod units are not necessarily an issue, but the cost of the electronics is too. I like the fact that the whole body of the Mini iPods are made of Aluminum, kinda instills quality/longevity into the product, but not for $250. I'll keep searching for a low-cost MP3 player, after all, it only *HAS* to work.