This guide is an overview of all the full size iPods available. If you are considering a nano, mini or shuffle see my other guides.

First Generation iPod (iPod with scroll wheel)



Specs

Data Capacity: 5Gigabytes (1,000 songs) or 10Gigabytes (2,000 songs)
Data Transfer: Firewire only
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of music playback
Battery Charge Time: 3 hours full charge, 1 hour fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: MP3, MP3 VBR, WAV, and AIFF
Display: Monochrome 2 inch LCD 160x128 resolution
Weight: 6.5oz
Size: 4.02" High x 2.43" Wide x 0.78" Deep
Colors: White
Mac computers only

   The first iPod ever, able to hold up to 2,000 songs transfered with a blazing fast firewire connection. Also the only iPod to have a scroll wheel that physically moves. The iPods internal battery charges through the firewire cable via AC adapter or through you computer. For someone looking for their first iPod this one isn't for you. They are expensive compared to other models and have some quirks. Pros - Very impressive battery life for the time, and a display that is actually readable. Cons - The headphone jack chips very easy which causes the jack to fail. Only works with mac computers. The chrome back scratches extremly (like almost all iPods).

Second Generation iPods (iPod with touch wheel)



Specs

Data Capacity: 5Gigabytes (1,000 songs) , 10 Gigabytes (2,000 songs), or 20Gigabytes (4,000 songs)
Data Transfer: Firewire only
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of music playback
Battery Charge Time: 3 Hours full charge, 1 Hour fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: MP3, MP3 VBR, WAV, AIFF, and Audible (macs only)
Display: Monochrome 2 inch LCD, 160x128 resolution
Weight: 5GB, 10GB - 3.5oz. 20GB - 7.2oz
Size: 5GB, 10GB - 4.0" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.72" Deep. 20GB - 4.0" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.84" Deep
Colors: White
Mac or PC

   Looks just like the the first generation right? Well there are some differences between the two. The second generation iPod has a touch wheel instead of a scroll wheel. With this wheel all you have to do is slide your finger around the wheel instead of moving the wheel. A 20GB model was introduced that held up to 4,000 songs. And they could work with windows computers. But you still have to have a firewire port. The battery is charged through the firewire cable via AC adapter or through your computer. Pros - could be used with windows computers. 20GB model available. Cons - headphone jack still chips. Shiny back still scratches easy.

Third Generation iPod (iPod with dock connector)



Specs

Data Capacity: 10Gigabytes (2,500 songs), 15Gigabytes (3,700 songs) 20Gigabytes (5,000 songs), 30Gigabytes (7,500 songs), or 40Gigabytes (10,000 songs)
Data Transfer: Firewrie OR USB
Battery Life: Up to 8 hours of music playback
Battery Charge Time: 3 Hours full charge, 1 Hour fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: AAC (mac only), MP3, MP3 VBR, WAV, AIFF (mac only), Audible (mac only)
Display: Monochrome 2 inch LCD, 160x128 resolution
Weight: 10GB, 15GB, 20GB - 5.6oz. 30GB, 40GB - 6.2oz
Size: 10GB, 15GB, 20GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.62" Deep. 30GB, 40GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.73" Deep
Colors: White
Mac and PC

   iPod got a major design change. Now the buttons are above the wheel and glow orange when the back light is on. USB is finally supported but you can't charge the battery through the USB cord. This is the best iPod to get if you want the cheapest full size iPod. The internal battery is charged through the firewrie cable via AC adapter or through your computer. Pros - A dock connector is finally on the iPod. The dock connector makes it possible to dock at speaker system designed for iPods or a hot sync dock. USB support so now it even easier to connect to a windows computer. Thinner than the older versions. Cons - The battery life was reduced by two hours. Can't charge through the USB cord. The chrome back is still ever so easy to scratch.

Fourth Generation iPod (iPod with click wheel)



Specs

Data Capacity: 20Gigabytes (5,000 songs) or 40Gigabytes (10,000 songs)
Data Transfer: Firewire or USB
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours of music playback
Battery Charge Time: 4 Hours full charge, 2 Hours fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Wav, and Apple Lossless
Display: Monochrome 2inch LCD, 160x128 resolution
Weight: 20GB - 5.6oz. 40GB - 6.2oz
Size: 20GB 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.57" Deep. 40GB 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.69" Deep
Colors: White and Black (U2 special edition)
Mac and PC

   Another major change to the iPod. Now it has a click wheel that has the buttons integrated into the wheel. And the iPod continues to get thinner. Now as small as 0.57" deep. This is an excellent mid priced iPod that is not much more than the third generation but the thinness pays for it. Pros - The battery life was greatly improved over the third generation. And it can now charge through the USB cord. Cons - To get the black color you have to get the U2 special edition which costs more. Still a B&W screen although you don't need a color screen to listen to music. Still the easily scratched chrome back.

iPod Photo (still fourth generation)



Specs

Data Capacity: 20Gigabytes (5,000 songs), 30Gigabytes (7,500 songs), 40Gigabytes (10,000 songs), 60Gigabytes (15,000 songs)
Data Transfer: Firewrie or USB
Battery Life: Up to 15 Hours of music playback. 5 Hours of slide shows
Battery Charge Time: 5 Hours full charge, 3 Hours fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple Lossless, and WAV
Display: Color 2 inch LCD, 220x176 resolution
Weight: 20GB, 30GB - 5.9oz. 40GB, 60GB - 6.4oz
Size: 20GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.57" Deep. 30GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.63" Deep. 40GB, 60GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.75" Deep
Colors: White and Black (U2 special edition)
Mac and PC

   With the revision of the fourth generation iPod obviously comes a color screen but there are some other differences that are equally important but not as obvious. If you NEED a color screen and the cheapest price for a full size iPod this is the one to get. It only costs a little more than the regular fourth generation iPod. Pros - A color screen. The color screens are finally on iPods. If need to chow photos this is a nice feature. But if you just want to listen to music a color screen isn't a must. The screens resolution was also increased for an even sharper display. One not so obvious improvement is better battery life. The max battery life was upped from 12 hours to 15 hours. And there are more hard drive sizes to choose from. You can get an in-between size 30GB hard drive or a whopping 60GB hard drive to store an entire library of music. Cons - Battery takes 5 hours to charge compared to 4 hours on older models. It still has that chrome back that scratches with the lightest touch.

Fifth Generation iPod (iPod with video)



Specs

Data Capacity: 30Gigabytes (7,500 songs) or 60Gigabytes (15,000 songs)
Data Transfer: USB only
Battery Life: 30GB Up to 14 Hours music playback, 3 Hours of slideshows + music, 2 Hours of video. 60GB Up to 20 Hours music playback, 4 Hours of slideshows + music, 3 Hours of video
Battery Charge Time: 4 Hours full charge, 2 Hours fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF
Supported Video Formats: H.264 320x240, MP4 480x480
Display: Color 2.5" LCD, 320x240 resolution
Weight: 30GB 4.8oz, 60GB 5.5oz
Size: 30GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.43" Deep. 60GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.55" Deep
Colors: White and Black
Mac and PC

   First it played music, the photo's, now it plays videos. Before you know it it will be walking your dog. The iPod got thinner once again at only 0.43" thick. So now it plays videos. But it has problems. Pros - Screen resolution increased yet again so now the image is extremely sharp. Black is finally available without getting a special edition. Cons: music play back time on the 30GB is so so. Why did they get rid of firewire? Still the chrome back.

Enhanced fifth Generation iPod (5.5 Generation)



Specs

Data Capacity: 30Gigaabyte (7,500 songs) or 80Gigabytes (20,000 songs)
Data Transfer: USB only
Battery Life: 30GB Up to 14 Hours of music playback, 4 Hours of slideshows + music, 3.5 Hours of video
60GB up to 20 Hours of music playback, 6 Hours slideshows + music, 6.5 Hours of video
Battery Charge Time: 4 Hours full charge, 2 Hours fast charge (80% charged)
Supported Audio Formats: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF
Supported Video Formats: H.264 640x480 or 320x240, MP4 640x480
Display: Color 2.5 inch LCD, 320x240
Weight: 30GB - 4.8oz, 80GB - 5.5oz
Size: 30GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.43" Deep, 80GB - 4.1" High x 2.4" Wide x 0.55" Deep
Colors: White and Black

   Improved over the first iPod video. Now you can get an 80GB hard drive that hold 20,000 songs. Other differences are less obvious. Battery life was greatly improved on both models. And the screen is now 40% brighter than the original iPod video.

Things you NEED if you get an iPod

A screen Protector:
If you want to be able to read your screen you'll need one. They are pretty inexpensive and a good investment if you want to use you iPod

A Case:
With the extremely scratch able chrome back if you don't keep it in a case it will look like its fifty years old in a matter of days. The best cases are silicone cases that snuggly fit the iPod. The thicker the case the better as thicker cases will protect against small falls. The problem with silicone cases is they inhibit the iPod from fitting in some docks. Another option is a clear or designed skin that sticks onto the iPod like a screen protector. These allow the iPod to fit into a dock but do not protect against falls and need frequent replacing as they rip after a while.

A Dock:
If you get podcasts on a regular bases or get a lot of new music then you want a dock. Instead of having to reach behind the computer with a cable. Just plug the dock in once leave it on you desk and put the iPod into the dock when you want to sync with iTunes.

An AC Adapter:
A must have if your away from home and have to recharge your battery or don't want to turn on your computer every time you charge your iPod. Some AC adapters actually charge faster too.

Which iPod do I want?

That depends on what your looking for. If you want the cheapest possible iPod and have at least 10GB of room you should look at a third generation fourth generation iPod. They are the cheapest full size iPod's available. If you need a color screen and lowest price an iPod photo is probably for you. If you need video your forced to get the newest iPod available. The iPod with video (5th generation) is the only one that plays video. If your considering a mini, nano, or shuffle see my other guides. Just decide what you need. If a color screen doesn't matter get an older model. If you need a color screen consider an iPod photo before you get a video.

A Note on iPod Batteries

All iPod batteries will eventually need to be replaced. If your willing to shell out 65$ apple will replace your battery. But if your willing to learn how to replace it your self (not hard) you can save a lot of money and some of the batteries for sale on ebay will increase the battery life.

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