When you are shopping to get a new Ipod on Ebay, here are some tips and characteristics of the many Ipods listed for auction. By using this guide, you’ll learn what’s worth the money, or what’s not. Simply scroll down the list until you spot the Ipod your looking for. Then read the description, pros and cons, and make up your own mind. The recomendations are based off of customer feedback on certain models and the defects or problems have been painstakingly researched. Good luck with your next purchase!
1st Gen Ipod:On October 23, 2001, the first generation Ipod was released. Although smaller in weight and size than a ordinary harddrive, the original 5 and 10 gig Ipods were scheduled to make history. They had four player control buttons around the cener scroll wheel. Although a breakthrough for their time, the first gen Ipods are bulky and don’t store that many songs(compatibility with PC is an issue) on their harddrives, therefore, buying one of these isNOT RECOMENDED(most do not work or are damaged after so many years of playing).
2nd Gen Ipod: The second generation featured many of the characteristics of the first gen Ipods, with the button and control layouts being the same, but several advancements were made with a better equalizer, battery, harddrive, and screen. It was the largest MP3 player of it’s kind at the time, but software compatibility with Pc was still a problem. Again, it is NOT RECOMENDEDthat you buy the second gen. due to such flaws (PC incompatibility)and the likely probability that the Ipod is nearing the end of it’s life(rechargeable batteries won’t hold charge).
3rd Gen Ipod:The third gen featured a new layout, with four touch-sensitive player controls and a touch sensitive scroll wheel in the center. It featured a similar 10 or 20 gig configuration, with some models having 30 gig hard drives. There were a few rare models with etched names on the back (example:Tony Hawk, Madonna, etc.) which can be considered collector items. It featured newer software, which was finally recognized on SOME and not all PC’s. Third gens are risky when it comes to buying them used, however, some customers are really satisfied with them. It is up to you whether or not it is worth buying a third gen (batteries still hold quite a bit of charge) and they tend to be in alright condition, however, some models have short circuits in the player buttons and scroll wheel that renders them useless, so BE CAREFUL while shopping.
4th Gen Ipod: The next in the series is the fourth gen. The first few fourth gens were still unreliable when it came to compatibility, but later on, they formed an alliance with HP(Hewlett Packard) to make the Apple/HP Ipod which was compatible with all Windows based computers. It featured a larger harddrive with 20, 40, and 60 gig packages available. It also featured a new click wheel which incorperated all player controls into the central wheel, giving the Ipod a more condensed look without all the buttons taking up space. The U2 version was released in honor of the band and it’s unique black and red cover makes it a true collectible item. Overall, this is the most common Ipod you can find, and some can be in rather bad condition, so BE CAREFUL (batteries tend to hold good charge and player tends to work properly). http://www.papatek.com/USB-Wireless-LAN-Adapter/
Ipod Photo: The first ever color screen Ipod that came in 60 and 80 gig packages. It was compatible with all Windows based PC’s and it allowed the user to download and view full color images in a slide show. Had the same layout as the fourth gen Ipod with the click wheel. Great battery life and wonderful customer feedback. RECOMENDED, though you must watch out for a couple of abused or damaged ones (great battery life and normally in great condition with only slight scratches).
Ipod Video: Just released widescreen Ipod that let’s users download and watch video on their Ipod. Comes in 30 and 60 gig configurations, now with a color choice of white or black (older Ipods were always white, except for certain special editions). You can also download pictures as well, making it able to complete all tasks of previous Ipods. Compatible with all Windows based PC’s with fully compatible software as well. RECOMENDED (too new to have major defects). Battery life is full with no known defects. Definately a customer favorite.
Ipod Mini 1st Gen: The Ipod mini came shortly after the release of the fourth gen Ipod. It had 4 gigs of RAM(random access memory) chipsets rather than a harddrive, which made it lighter and smaller. It had a metal case which came in several metallic paint schemes. It housed the same clickwheel as the fourth gen Ipod and it had the same Windows compatible software as the Ipod fourth gen. Overall, this Ipod is very common and is liked by most customers. BE CAREFUL while shopping for these, because some can be damaged or abused by the user. Batteries still hold rather good charge. A good Ipod to have. http://www.papatek.com/Cell-Phone-Accessories/
Ipod Mini 2nd Gen: The 2nd gen Ipod mini featured 8 gigs of RAM memory while still maintaining it’s lightweight, compact design. It featured the same metal body with metallic paint schemes and the same clickwheel. Basically, they just modified the memory chips of the Ipod 1st gen and called it the second gen.RECOMENDED, because only a few of these were made after the 1st gen Mini. Batteries still hold good charge and it is compatible with all Windows based PC’s.
Ipod Nano: The replacement of the Ipod mini. It houses 4 gigs of RAM memory in its razor thin body. It features a color screen which allowes you to view album art and other color pictures. It also comes in two colors, white and black (like the Ipod Video). Features the click wheel like it’s older cousin the Ipod Mini. RECOMENDED, because of it’s relative newness to the market and it’s lack of known problems. Since the Nano is rather new, the batteries charge fully and it is fully compatible with Windows based PC’s. http://www.papatek.com/LCD-Panel/
Ipod Shuffle: Stripped down version of the Ipod. It has no screen, no clickwheel, and no harddrive. Instead, it is shaped like a pocket drive with the USB plug built into the Ipod, so you just plug the whole thing into the computer to upload songs and charge the battery(runs off of computer’s powered USB port). It has flash memory, a chipset similar to ram that stores music files. It comes in 512mb or 1 gig packages and the player controls are mounted near the top of the Ipod in the form of buttons. Unlike the Nano or Video Ipods, it only comes in white, and is good for those who don’t have lots of music to store. RECOMENDED because of it’s ease of use and relative newness to the market. So far, no problems have been found with this new flash system. A favorite to many customers.
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