General Overview

• Size. Most iPods (except for the Nano, Mini and Shuffle) are about the size of a pack of cigarettes. In general, they range from 3 to 7 ounces (see exceptions above).
• iTunes is Mandatory. They all sync with iTunes, which is free from Apple's website. Except for the earliest generations noted below, they take both Firewire and USB. Please note it needs to be USB 2.0. If your computer was made in 2002 or earlier, you should make sure you have USB 2.0.
  
• Battery life published by Apple is a guideline. This is important to remember. Does your cell phone ever last as long as the published battery life? Ditto for iPods. The published battery life basically assumes a) middle volume, b) playing in an endless loop and c) never touching the controls. In short, laboratory conditions.
• Battery life problems. This is more a myth than reality. Rechargeable batteries start to lose their zing after a couple of hundred charges. Since Apple's batteries are built in, and since people tend to use them every day, the batteries do wear out, like all rechargeable batteries. Fret not, however. There are services that can fix this (more on that under maintenance).
• Storage Sizes. A good rule of thumb, figure 1,000-1,250 songs per 5GB. This will vary, but it's a good rule of thumb. All iPods can be used both as a music player and as a portable hard drive.

 
First Generation iPods

These were first released in October, 2001. They came in 5 GB and 10GB models. They featured the control buttons surrounding the scroll wheel. This was the only generation of iPod with a moving scroll wheel. It is still popular with DJs as a result, as you can feel the wheel on the unit moving.

• Battery life. About 10 hours
• Storage. 5GB and 10GB
• Technology. Firewire (IEEE-1394) only. USB support was still a bit away
• Compatibility. Either Mac or Windows, not both. You can reformat the unit for either
• Quirks. The headphone jacks on this unit can chip easily. This was fixed in later revisions.
• Other Notes. If you have one in mint condition, seal it in a padded bag and don't touch it. This will be a serious collector's item in about 15 years. It's a piece of history at this point.
• Models. 5GB Mac - M8513LL/A, M8514LL/A; 5GB PC - M8697LL/A; 10GB Mac - M8709LL/A

Second Generation iPods

These were released in 10GB and 20GB versions in July, 2002. They were virtually identical to the first generation units. However, they replaced the scroll wheel with the touchwheel, thus disappointing DJs around the world. From here on out, iPods would not have any moving control surfaces whatsoever. Other than the GB change and the scroll/touch controls, it's the same as 1st generation units

• Battery life. About 10 hours
• Storage. 10GB and 20GB
• Technology. Firewire only. Not yet for USB...
• Compatibility. Either Mac or Windows, not both. You can reformat the unit for either
• Quirks. Still that chip-able headset port
• Models. 10GB Mac - M8737LL/A; 10GB PC - M8740LL/A; 20GB Mac - M8738LL/A; 20GB PC - M8741LL/A. Sometimes referred to in general as A1019

 
Third Generation iPods

The iPod gets a facelift! Rolled out in April, 2003, this was the most radical redo of the iPod look and feel. This moved the iPod into the mainstream. The buttons moved from around the touchwheel to four circular buttons below the LCD screen. The unit got thinner and the headset jack was now indestructable. At long last, USB support was added, though not for charging, just syncing. Oddly, battery life actually decreased a bit, to eight hours.

• Battery life. About 8 hours
• Storage. 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB and 40GB
• Technology. Firewire and USB 2.0. Apple also introduces the dock connector on iPods, still in use today.
• Compatibility. Mac/Windows at the same time.
• Quirks. Why did they shorten the battery life?
• Models. 10GB - M8976LL/A; 15GB - M8946LL/A, M9460LL/A; 20GB - M9244LL/A; 30GB - M8948LL/A; 40GB - M9245LL/A. Sometimes referred to in general as A1040

Fourth Generation

Released in July 2004, Apple shifted the controls on the unit. Rather than a touchwheel, they introduced the clickwheel, which had been used on the Minis. The controls were now embedded in the wheel used to navigate the iPod. Apple also started releasing specialtry versions of this unit.

• Battery Life. Getting better. 12 hours
• Storage. 20GB and 40GB
• Technology. Firewire and USB 2.0 via the dock connector. The unit can now charge via USB as well
• Compatibility. Still Mac and Windows
• Specialty versions. Apple got fancy, introducing a Black iPod as a special edition U2 model. It would later release a white model with Harry Potter engravings on the back
• Models: 20GB - M9282LL/A; 20GB U2 - M9787LL/A; 40GB - M9268LL/A. Sometimes referred to in general as A1059

iPod Photo (Still Fourth Generation)

Apple rolled out its first color iPods with the iPod Photo. Released in October, 2004, it was the same exact unit as the Fouth Generation units, except with a Color screen. No video compatibility yet. The screen was 220x176 pixels and displayed 16-bit color. The specs were, other than the color screen, the same as above

• Storage. 20GB, 30GB, 40GB and 60GB
• Models. 20GB - MA079LL/A; 20GB U2 - MA127LL/A; 30GB - M9829LL/A; 40GB - M9585LL/A; 60GB - M9586LL/A, M9830LL/A. Sometimes referred to in general as A1099
• Quirks. Um, can't my cell phone and every other device in the world display photos on a tiny screen? A good step in the right direction, and album art is nice, but what we really need is...

Fifth Generation (Video iPods)

So when would the iPod finally replace just about everything? With its fifth generation model, released in October, 2005. The look was basically the same as the Photo/4th generation, albeit with a smaller wheel and larger screen. The unit now featured a 320x240 pixel LCD and the ability to play videos. Apple enhanced this lineup with a refreshed 30GB version with a longer battery life and brighter screen and an 80GB version in September, 2006.

• Battery Life. 16-20 hours for music, 2-3 hours for video. Newer models get up to 4.5 hours of video
  
• Storage. 30GB, 60GB and 80GB
  
• Technology. USB 2.0 only. Say goodbye to Firewire...
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Colors. Black and White (casing, not the screen). Also comes in a U2 version released 6/06
  
• Models. 30GB white - MA002LL/A and MA444LL/A (Enhanced); 30GB black - MA145LL/A and MA446LL/A (Enhanced); 30GB Black U2 - MA452LL/A; 60GB white - MA003LL/A; 60GB black - MA147LL/A; 80GB Black - MA450LL/A; 80GB White - MA448LL/A
  

 
iPod Minis - 1st Generation

Released in January 2004, these units were an instant sensation. Available in five colors, tiny and half the weight of some iPods, these were extremely popular, particularly with the more fashion conscience.

• Battery Life. 12 hours
• Storage. 4GB
• Technology. USB 2.0 and Firewire
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Colors. Silver, Blue, Pink, Green, Gold
• Models. Silver - M9160LL/A; Blue - M9436LL/A; Pink - M9435LL/A; Green - M9434LL/A; Gold - M9437LL/A. Sometimes referred to in general as A1051

iPod Minis - 2nd Generation

Released in February, 2005, this was an update to the popular Minis. The colors were a bit more vibrant, the battery life was beefed up, and they now came in 4GB and 6GB versions. But otherwise, it was the same unit.

• Battery Life. 18 hours
• Storage. 4GB and 6GB
• Technology. USB 2.0 and Firewire
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Colors. Silver, Blue, Pink, Green
• Quirks. Discontinued in September, 2005, the aftermarket prices actually went up, as demand for these units is still huge
• Models. 4GB Silver - M9800LL/A; 4GB Blue - M9802LL/A; 4GB Pink - M9804LL/A; 4GB Green - M9806LL/A; 6GB Silver - M9801LL/A; 6GB Blue - M9803LL/A; 6GB Pink - M9805LL/A; 6GB Green - M9807LL/A.

iPod Shuffle

Released in January, 2005, this was Apple's 1st step into the Flash player market. The unit was decidedly unimpressive: the size of a stick of gum, basic controls and, most radically, no screen. It weighs less than an ounce. The unit was meant to simply play music randomly. A terrible idea? Apple now owns more than half the Flash player market in the U.S. I may not like them, but they are a crowd pleaser and the most affordable of iPods. And they do still look beautiful.

• Battery Life. 12 hours
• Storage. 512MB and 1GB (120 and 240 songs)
• Technology. USB 2.0 only
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Quirks. No screen to navigate music. But you can find them for as little as $60.
• Models. 512MB - M9724LL/A, MA133LL/A; 1GB - M9725LL/A

iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation

This one is life imitating art imitating life, particularly in reference to Fred Armisen's impression of Steve Jobs shrinking the iPod to invisibility. This refresh of the Shuffle holds 1GB and is about the size of a quarter. It was released in September, 2006.

• Battery Life. 12 hours
  
• Storage. 1GB (240 songs)
• Technology. USB 2.0 only
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Quirks. No screen to navigate music.
• Models. 1GB - MA564LL/A

iPod Nano

Incredible. That's the only way to describe the Nano. Based on Flash memory (vs a hard drive), the size of this unit is literally amazing. Apple released these in September, 2005, and everyone drew a collective breath. Just when you didn't think you could be amazed by an iPod... it's 1/4" thick (3 credit cards) and weighs 1.5 oz. That's the same weight as 42 paper clips. It also packs a color screen.

• Battery Life. 14 hours
• Storage. 1GB, 2GB and 4GB
• Technology. USB 2.0. No firewire syncing
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Colors. Black and white (the casing, not the screen)
• Models. 1GB White - MA350LL/A; 1GB Black - MA352LL/A; 2GB White - MA004LL/A; 2GB Black - MA099LL/A; 4GB White - MA005LL/A; 4GB Black - MA107LL/A

iPod Nano 2nd Generation

A refresh of the Nanos released in September 2006. It replaced the scratch-prone case with colored aluminum, which provides much better protection to the casing. The battery life was also increased.

• Battery Life. Up to 24 hours
• Storage. 2GB, 4GB and 8GB
• Technology. USB 2.0.
• Compatibility. Mac and Windows
• Colors. Silver, Pink, Blue Green, Black
  
• Models. 2GB Silver - MA477LL/A; 4GB Silver - MA426LL/A; 4GB Green - MA487LL/A; 4GB Pink - MA489LL/A; 4GB Blue - MA428LL/A; 8GB Black - MA497LL/A

The Newest Generation of ipods released in 2007!

• ipod Touch (8GB & 16GB)
• ipod Classic (80GB & 160GB)
• ipod Nano (4GB & 8GB)
  

Maintenance

Except for the Minis and Shuffles, all iPods have polished metal backs. They will scratch very easily. As a result, we strongly recommend always using a case. The best are rubberized cases and fit the iPod like a skin. We'd recommend never removing the iPod from the case.

When looking for iPods, you can save money by buying used ones.

As far as batteries go, Apple will replace the battery on any iPod for $59.

We highly recommend you purchase the Warranty offered by SquarTrade because it secures your purchase for the next 2 to 3 years. They will replace your purchase price or fix your iPod for free for as little as cents per month.

About Store Returns & Ipod Conditions