The Quick iPod Buying Guide

It can be said with some confidence, that the iPod is the most innovative product ever marketed.  Even more astounding is the fact that Apple continues to make the iPod sexier with each model it makes.  While dozens of other companies may be making "Mp3 Players", none of them can hold a candle to the easy to use and sleek iPod. 

If you are looking to buy an iPod, it is important to remember there are several generations and versions available.  This guide has been written to help you decide which is best for you.

Quick iPod FAQ's

How big is the iPod? 

Full sized iPod's are typically the size of a deck fo cards, or smaller.  The current 5th generation iPods are slimmer than half a deck of cards. 

What program do I use with iPod?

iTunes is the universal iPod program for all iPod types.  In fact, iTunes is the only program you can use with the iPod.  Luckily, iTunes is free for anyone to download, and is also included with Apple iPod Video's. 

How many songs can I put on an iPod?

Depending on what size, generation, and type of iPod you get, a user can typically squeeze on between 1000 to 1200 songs for every 5 gigs you purchase.  Of course, the size and length of song files you import are also a factor. 

1st Generation iPod

First shipped in 2001, this iPod changed the way the world looked at music.  Featuring a mechanical-wheel and navigation buttons around it, the iPod offered about 10 hours of battery life, and used a firewire to load songs onto its 5 or 10 GB drive.  You could use it for either mac or windows, but not both.  While the headphone jack durability left something to be desired, these items are now classics.  The second generation upgrades itself by doubling drive space and the wheel was changed to a to ensure better durability.

    3rd Generation iPod

First shipped in 2003, this iPod had different look and feel to the interface, with the buttons for actions below the screen, and the touch wheel used for navigation.  Battery life went down to about 8 hours, but you could now use a USB cord to sync your ipod.    You could now use the iPod with mac and pc and switch as you saw fit. 

    4th Generation iPod (iPod and iPod Photo)

Apple dropped this hot little number into our hands a year after the 3rd generation.  The controls were now embedded into the wheel, and universal USB use now supported for this version.  Apple also introduced several variants on this item such as the U2 iPod, and the .  The iPod photo was an extension of this model and offered up to 60 GB of song steaming support.  The color screen made photos come to life, but videos still were possible, until....

 5th Generation iPod (iPod Video)

In 2005, the world was amazed at the new, sexier, and video capable iPod.  With up to 80GB of storage space, this model now had a 320X240 pixel LCD screen and longer battery life of up to 20 hours of music, and 3 hours of video.  Casings were are in black and white, and it also comes in the U2 version as well. 

iPod Classic

In 2007, the world was introduced to the improved iPod, renamed iPod Classic. With an anodized aluminum finish on the front and up to 160GB of space, this bad boy takes the best iPod ever and makes it even better. Casings are in black and silver (no white with this one). 

Of course, some didn't want to carry such a large item, and longed for a smaller version of the iPod, so Apple created the ...

   iPod Mini

Two generations of small yet sleek iPod glory, it was sold first in 2004, and updated a year later.  Battery life ranged between 12 and 18 hours depending on the generation you purchased, and they cam in multiple colors.  This was the first iPod for those fashionistas out there that wanted there iPod to be sexier and sleeker. Of course, this all changed with the ...

iPod Nano

With a flash drive (as opposed to moving hard drives which can lock up) the iPod Nano was the sleekest ever designed.  With a color screen and over 14 hours of battery life, the storage for this item was between 1GB and 8GB depending on the generation you purchased, and came in six delicious colors for all to enjoy.  Tasty and simple, the Nano is a treat for all.  But you know apple, they would never rest on their laurels, and so gave us all what we really wanted...3rd Generation iPod Nano

Slimmer, sexier, and with Video to boot, the 3rd generation iPod has plenty of screen for your viewing pleasure.  Tarted up a bit with new colors, the new nano will even allow for new games soon to be loaded onto it just like the iPod Video and Classic. With a color screen and over 14 hours of battery life, the storage for this item is between 4GB and 8GB depending on the model you buy, and comes in five delicious colors for all to enjoy.  Of course, some wanted an even slimmer snack of a music player, and so apple gave them...

 Ipod Shuffle 1st Generation

As small as a pack of gum, apple first shipped this lightweight baby in 2005.  Simple, direct, and screenless, the shuffle had 12 hours of battery life and plugged right into your USB port with no wires needed.  Available in .5 and 1 GB models, the shuffle was set to play a list of songs in order, or randomly. This simple and inexpensive model was great for thoe that wanted a barebones iPod experience.  Of course, as with all things, Apple worked hard to make one even smaller, and they came up with ...

     iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation

Tinier than its predecessor, and multicolored, the new shuffle holds 1gb of songs, and can clip easily to your clothes.  You can buy them in all the same colors as the iPod Nano, and the sound quality is not one bit less than the iPod Video.  Thats the great thing about all iPods; they perform better than any other player on the market. 

The types of people that own iPods are as varied as the music people can put on them.  There is an iPod for you out there; All you have to do is decide is how which type you want to buy, and who you will buy it from.  Good luck, and happy bidding.