If you know anything about portable MP3 players (or digital music players, or digital audio players, as they're sometimes called), you've probably heard about the Apple iPod. Originally designed for use with Apple® Macintosh® computers, but now boasting compatibility with Windows® PCs as well, the iPod lets you listen to your favorite music files — in a variety of formats, including MP3 and AAC — on the go. Plus, the player boasts an amazingly intuitive, and therefore easy-to-use, interface. As a result, the iPod is arguably the world's most popular MP3 player. (Read Julie Govan's in-depth review of the iPod to find out more.)

But now, Apple's added a second iPod to its lineup: the iPod mini. Given the amazing popularity of the original model, what could Apple possibly want to change? Let's take a closer look at the new iPod mini and find out.

Lookin' good
The first thing you notice about the iPod mini is its color options. There are five: silver, gold, blue, pink, and green. (If you liked the "classic" iPod's white chassis, sorry — there's no white mini model.) The iPod mini also sports a scratch-resistant aluminum body, which could be a real advantage if you'll be listening during outdoor activities like walking. Likewise, if the thought of sticking a standard white iPod into your purse or your pocket worries you because you're convinced the player will look dingy and gray after a few months, the mini could be the perfect solution.

The iPod mini comes in five colors (including pink) and includes a sturdy belt clip and a pair of earbud headphones.

Smaller, more lightweight design
Another important difference between the regular iPod and the mini is their respective sizes. As you've probably gathered from its name, the iPod mini is the smaller player — just over 30% smaller than the 20GB iPod, and more than 40% smaller than the 40GB iPod. It's also two full ounces lighter than the regular 20GB iPod. As a result, the mini fit even more comfortably in my palm than its predecessor, and it was a little easier to tote around.

But with its more compact and portable size there comes, of course, a tradeoff. Whereas the 20GB iPod can hold about 333 hours of near-CD-quality (128kbps) music — over 13 days' worth — the iPod mini packs 4GB, which can hold about 66 hours of music at the same bitrate — not quite three days' worth.