Thinking of replacing your iPod? We'll look at some of the features
of past models, as well as reasons why or why not to upgrade.
Full-sized iPods
The
first (1G) iPod was released in
2001 and offered 5 GB of storage, as well as the innovative
connection to any Mac by FireWire (much faster than USB 1.1!), and the
ability to store data on the device like an external hard drive.
Considering that a base PowerBook G4 of
the time came with a 10 GB hard drive, 5 GB was not insignificant
in terms of capacity.
The second generation (2G)
iPod added a touch-sensitive scroll pad instead of a wheel,
increased capacity to 10 GB, and eventually gave users the opportunity
to connect it to a FireWire equipped PC via RealPlayer - and later
iTunes for Windows.
The third generation (3G) iPod
was an awkward-looking thing, with four buttons (for play/pause, menu,
back, and forward) above the wheel itself. This generation also added
the ability to connect to your PC via USB 2.0.
The fourth generation (4G)
model was available in two stages: first with a black and white
screen, and later with a color screen as the iPod photo. This led
people to suspect that the fifth generation (5G) model would feature
video capability, which it did, along with a larger screen.
By the fifth generation, USB was the only option to connect your
iPod to your Mac or PC. When first released, it was available in 30 GB
or 60 GB capacity, later the 60 was replaced with an 80.
The current iPod classic (right) is
quite similar to the 5G, with the exception that it features a metal
case in gray or black and holds 80 GB or 160 GB.
iPod mini and nano
The iPod mini was released
in 2004, and featured a 4 GB (later 6 GB) hard drive and a
black and white screen. Its redeeming feature was its availability in a
variety of colors, and it became very popular. 
It was replaced with the first-generation
iPod nano (left), which also became popular, but suffered from
manufacturing flaws (specifically the color screen breaking) early on.
Its main feature was that it no longer used a hard drive like the mini,
instead being based on flash memory. It initially was offered in
2 GB and 4 GB capacities.
The second generation iPod nano adopted the mini's metal casing,
which made it seem much more durable. It was available in 2, 4, and
8 GB, though a choice of colors was only available on the
4 GB model.
The current generation is
wider than it is tall and allows you to view video. It also comes in a
metal case, and comes in either 4 GB or 8 GB capacity.
With such a choice of models, which makes the most sense? Is
replacing your old, 3G model with a new iPod classic with 80 GB of
storage really the best bet if you only have 4 GB of music that
you listen to regularly?
How About Buying Used?
Buying used is a good option if you don't need the features of the
latest iPods. It's an especially good option with iPod nanos, since
they are flash-based and therefore much more durable. Essentially,
there's a better chance that a year-old flash-based iPod has stood up
to someone's abuse than a year-old 5G iPod.
Also, since so many were given away with Apple's Back-to-School
promotion (buy a Mac, get an iPod), they are plentiful and very
reasonably priced on the used market. For about US$100, you can get a
decent 4 GB previous-generation iPod nano. Not too bad, since a
brand new costs $150.
I would not, however, recommend a used full-size iPod, specifically
an older model (2G through 4G). They may be cheap, but they also most
likely have worn out batteries and hard drives that could be on their
way out. Personally, I'd rather spend an extra $50 or so on something
newer and in better condition.
If you're using your older iPod with an older Mac, be aware that
most likely that Mac does not have USB 2.0 ports, so transferring songs
to a newer device (5G and beyond) will be significantly slower than it
was transferring via FireWire.
iPod Batteries
Perhaps your iPod still suits your needs, but a dying battery is
it's main issue. iPod batteries are easy to replace, so for about
$20-50 (depending where you order it from) you can get a new battery
which will most likely have 20-70% greater capacity than the original
battery had when new. Not a bad deal; it's like getting a new iPod for
next to nothing.
If you either need the additional space, or would just like to have
a new iPod, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The first is
obviously that all iPods made today are USB only. The second is that
the new iPod touch - the iPod based on the iPhone that features a
touch-sensitive screen - does not allow you to use it for disk storage
without some hacking. For most people this may not be a huge deal, but
for some it can be extremely frustrating, as they may use their iPod as
a primary means of storage, backup, or transport for documents.
Power Conservation
The other issue is the restrictions imposed by hard-drive based
players like the iPod classic. They use significantly more battery
power than flash-based iPods, and forwarding through songs will cause
the disk to spin up frequently, thereby reducing your battery life. If
I change songs frequently on my 5G iPod, my battery will only last 2-3
hours. If I leave it and let it play, it will last many times that.
By now you can probably tell that I favor flash-based iPods. Not
only are they more durable and have better battery life, but they have
better performance in general. Skipping through songs is instant, as is
playing them again after you pause.
This is where the future lies, and Apple knows it (thus, the touch
and iPhone are flash-based). It would seem to me, if you can live with
2-16 GB of capacity, a flash-based iPod like the nano or touch is by
far a better bet.
Further Reading
