What’s the oldest working iPod?
James Gill / March 12, 2007
Does anyone actually own a first generation iPod that still works? I’m curious, as the average life of iPods these days seems to be no more than a year or two. Please comment on this because it would be quite interesting to find out just how long they can last.
I’ve got a 3rd gen and it still works to this very day! Unfortunately, the battery is just about dying every time I play an album, but it still works. My friend had a mini and that gave up the ghost just after a year of ownership [oh how she wished she got that extended warranty]
So have a think about when you got your iPod: you might be the lucky owner of the oldest working iPod.
Voochild said,
March 13, 2007 at 02:13 ()
Actually First to comment !!!
I do own the 1st gen ipod that I very proudly bought on May 2002 and I still have it. I used it for 2 years and I had to change the battery twice during those years. The battery doesn't work more than 10 mn now but it still works, very hardly so.
Voilà!!
cryptonym said,
March 13, 2007 at 19:33 ()
Well there we go, it depends if you count working for a max of 10 mins as functional i guess. Can anyone beat 10 mins?!
Dan Root said,
April 3, 2007 at 16:39 ()
If I knew how to identify which generation my iPod is, I might be able to tell you all how old mine is. However, it does appear very old...
Any links to identifying websites?
Dan Root said,
April 3, 2007 at 16:44 ()
Alright, I went and actually found a site now...
It appears I have a 2nd generation (touch wheel) design. And for your information, it works for about 4-5 hours straight (playtime). I have never done anything in regards to replacement for the device. I bought the device in mid 2003.
support said,
April 8, 2007 at 21:25 ()
Sorry Dan, one or two of us have been away for a few days. 4-5 hours is actually quite a respectable battery life for a second generation iPod, and must have been looked after well if it's still working four years down the line!
Youri said,
May 23, 2007 at 19:02 ()
Second gen, around 2003. Works for about half an hour, but don't even think about switching songs/album...
Screensaver said,
May 30, 2007 at 01:01 ()
I have the first Ipod with 10GB disc, still works ok, looks bad now.
Badr Benjelloun said,
June 3, 2007 at 16:52 ()
I own one of the original 10GB first generation ipods and it is still rocking.
I never had a problem with it, not even with the battery.. I was still getting 7 to 8 hours out of it on a regular basis. I replaced the battery recently with a higher capacity one that lasts 30hours.. I have so far no plans to get a newer one as long as this little baby keeps working.
Joanne said,
June 12, 2007 at 16:23 ()
I own a second gen iPod, still works fine. Used to get about 8 hours, now I get about 5-6, which is still fine by me :) Bought it July 2002, it was just out I think. Still use it all the time, never replaced anything on it.
RAM_mit said,
June 14, 2007 at 09:56 ()
I have a 2nd gen ipod, since 2003. Battery lasts 3-4 hours. Works like a charm, I never replaced anything at all.
FriedGeek said,
July 12, 2007 at 18:48 ()
I've still got my G1 iPod. It's a 5gb, spinning scroll wheel with buttons on the outside, firewire port on top, greenish/BW screen, sharp front edged tank. It still has the original battery and holds about a half hour charge. That's not a real problem since my wife usually uses it in her car plugged into the lighter.
Nancy said,
February 8, 2008 at 21:36 ()
I have the first generation ipod..black and white screen, no graphics, 4 buttons above the wheel...and it works great! It lasts about 3 hours if I am listening to it with headphones...but if I use it in my car with the iTrip it only works for about 30 minutes...
I wasn't aware that you could get a new battery for this ipod...i went into the apple store and they told me I would have to get a new iPod...and thats not happening :-)
i got mine in 2002
chaosjimjam said,
March 11, 2008 at 19:04 ()
i own a second gen ipod and it functions preety well - one and a half hour battery life playing full blast...
Adam Fitzgerald said,
March 20, 2008 at 14:16 ()
I actually have a 1st Gen iPod (5GB) that I purchased in December of 2001. It still works. I know for a fact I was the first at my University (small school) to have one. I used it for moving my design files from the computer lab to my Mac in my dorm. Firewire disk was the best. Everyone was in total awe of it. Still have the original box and everything.
Sarah said,
April 14, 2008 at 11:15 ()
Mine is an iPod mini. I have it since july 17th '05. Is has been trough a lot, it fell a lot so it doesn t look that pretty anymore but it never stopped working. I'll keep on using it (until that iPhone is released here in Belgium).
(Picture on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ikkekietje/2234094055 )
G said,
April 14, 2008 at 12:09 ()
Nice setup Sarah!
Loving the old school Apple icon on the keyboard :D
Also, would you recommend the Wacom graphics tablets?
Julia said,
November 18, 2008 at 04:22 ()
I think I have a 1st gen. Bought 2003 It still works perfectly-ish
Thomas said,
December 27, 2008 at 00:22 ()
I have the first generation ipod and my dad tricked out the battery and now it can run fully charged for 2 hours and i bet its worth a lot for working that long and its really old
Brian said,
September 3, 2009 at 22:35 ()
I have a 3rd gen bought in 2003 when they first came out. I have used it everyday while walking to and from work 5 days a week. Granted it is only about 30 minutes a day, but it still works great.
Kyle Moore said,
September 26, 2009 at 03:07 ()
i have a 2005 ipod mini and it works fine the battery lasts about 3-4 hrs. i guess thats good
Lisa said,
October 29, 2009 at 02:12 ()
I have the very first video i-pod! I have had it forever and I can proudly say it still works perfectly! I have not replaced anything on it. My battery works very well too and it still last me forever! I charge it about every four days!
RAGATOOO CHINEEE said,
December 21, 2009 at 03:46 ()
I own a very class bejewled first generaton ipod Never had a problem Ive only had to change the battery 1 Once so amazing I got hooked With a women Who worked with apple and she gave me a 35 Hour amazingly battery and i nearly died using it Can anyone beat that any way i got my ipod in 2001 on june 16
787weie said,
December 27, 2009 at 04:59 ()
i hjave a first generation thathas needed NO changes or anything- it has been working forever- IN YO FACE!
Divya said,
February 27, 2010 at 03:49 ()
I have a 5GB first gen, got it in early December of 2001. Right now it needs a new battery (and if I can find one, it'll be its third battery ever) since it's down to about an hour of usage before it runs out of juice. It has never broken down or needed any kind of service except for the one battery replacement. I'm planning to see what it's worth in December of 2021. :o)
Jared said,
August 5, 2010 at 20:08 ()
I have a 4th generation 20gb iPod that I've had for over 5 years now (bought late '04 or early '05) and it quit working briefly after I got the sad face. I banged the bottom of the iPod on a book and it started right up again after a week of refusing to load. Battery life is still good. Nothing has been changed.
PhilB said,
August 14, 2010 at 19:30 ()
I have a 30 GB iPod I got in 2006 and it still works marvelously in 2010 on the ORIGINAL battery. It is my most prized possession.
Lucas said,
May 15, 2011 at 17:17 ()
actually newest ipods last longest, but outdate much faster. (none touch screens last longer)
JohnT said,
July 2, 2011 at 08:09 ()
I have an iPod 1G that I purchased from the Apple store at the Mall of America on the release date, November 10, 2001. Original battery, still works. Syncing right now.
Cass said,
November 19, 2011 at 17:16 ()
I bought my iPod 80gb classic last October 2007, used on 8-10 hour road trips, charged on speakers for 12 hours (when bummed), traveled on different countries, used everyday on my way to work.. used on parties, everything that an iPod can do, and it still working. Not even an iPod touch could replace it. :)