[asymco]

With iPod line Apple was experimenting with completely new form factor, not so much with iPad or MacBook.

[etchalon]

The Neo is a different form factor than the Air is a different form factor from the 14 inch is a different form factor than the 16.

"No, it's not! It's a laptop!"

And most iPods were iPods.

The iPod touch was just an iPhone, and the shuffle lacked a screen.