iPods - duration of use

[george6210]

How long can you expect an iPod to survive in typical usage?

[Pleiades]

It's a really tough question. It depends heavily on what model iPod (flash memory ones seem to last longer than hard drive based ones), what "typical" usage means, and just plain luck.

I had a first generation iPod last almost four years before I sold it. The battery sucked by the end (20 mins tops), but the unit still played and synced without a hitch. I also had a second generation iPod mini that barely lasted 6 months before the hard drive had some problems. I would say both had "typical" usage.

I've also had a 3G, 4G black and white, 4G color, and a 1G shuffle and all worked perfectly, and the only reason I don't have them is that I moved on to the newer models. I'm currently using a 5G iPod that I've had for over a year, with zero issues.

From my experience working at an Apple service provider -- the most common failures with iPods were hard drive based models being dropped. A solid drop on to concrete can cause the drive to get damaged fairly easily.
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[splen]

I have a 5g 1st gen 30gb ipod. It will be 2 years old in January and it still works fine. I have only dropped it once that i can remember and I use it every day. I have to charge it roughly once a week and I probably use it for about 2 hours per day at most, so I think its doing ok.... Which is really annoying as I would love an excuse to upgrade to an ipod classic!
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[ranger1021]

I am still using a 1st gen iPod Mini that is over 3 years old, and it is still working quite well. I have even dropped it multiple times on concrete, and all it did was scratch it.
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[AnthroPC]

I have had my iPod Video since March of this year, and I would say that I'm quite a heavy user (easily between five and six hours a day, often more depending on how many bus journeys I'm taking).

It still works perfectly, and although I'm heading towards the 200th charge cycle zone I haven't noticed any decrease in battery discahrge time, any stickyness when syncing, and it has only ever crashed twice, and one of those times was when there was a power cut when it was syncing.

Only problem is, I got it engraved with my name and mobile number... I have since switched mobile contracts and companies and have a different number now!
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[dungeon92]

I'm on my 5th in 2.5 years, 2 were 1g shuffles that both had issues with memory "bricking" (not sure the term), then my 1g nano the screen went dead, my 2g nano started with no audio and click wheel stopped wprking then wouldn't turn on, and now I'm on a 3g nano.
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[Julia]

I am absolutely perfectly suited for a 2nd gen shuffle, which is what I own. I can't even count the number of times I've dropped it. Not only has it continued to work flawlessly, it has never even hit the ground. It's not heavy enough to pull either of my sets of headphones from my head;-)

[Sipper]

My 3rd Gen. ipod must be 4 or 5 years old now - changed the battery a few weeks ago which helps and have ordered a new hard drive (£40). I've had no trouble with this model until recently when the hard drive started messing around. It has had fairly hard use though the last couple of years.


S

[Bobaloo]

My 1G iPod died a couple of years ago, much use. I have a 3G ipod that needs a new battery and a 4G that works great. My daughter had a 1G mini that now has issues, but I use it as a portable HD, she now has a 5G iPod video. I'll be getting an iPod Touch in a few weeks.
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[TheDoctor]

I still have my 4th gen 20Gb.

Granted, its had a new logic board, a new hard disk, a couple of battery swaps, a new screen and a new click wheel. But it is now 3.5 years old and still working fine
I reckon once I replace the scratched front panel it should see out it's 4th birthday no problem.
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[DonMateo51]

[kyle]

I have been through a mini, which was dropped and had 'normal' use. In which case that lasted over a year before I picked up my current 5g. I think I have been using the 5g for about two years and so far all is well.

I would add that my 5g might exceed 'normal' use as it is used in and out of my car.