2. Specifications

Here are the general specifications of the current iPod on the market as per the Apple website found at:
Capacity:

• 5, 10, and 20GB hard disk drives
  

• Shuffle songs or albums
  
• Repeat One Song or all songs
  
• Sound Check on/off
  
• Equalizer on/off
  
• Backlight Timer
  
• Display Contrast Control
  
• Alarms on/off silent
  
• Sleep timer
  
• Date and Time
  
• Contacts sort and display by First or Last name
  
• Clicker on and off
  
• Supported Languages include: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese

Display:

• 2 inch diagonal LCD with White LED backlighting
  
• 160 x 128 resolution

Size and Weight: The size and weight vary on the type of iPod you get
5GB Model

• 4 inches (H) x 2.4 inches (W) x 0.78 inches (D)
  
• Weight: 6.5oz
  

• 4 inches (H) x 2.4 inches (W) x 0.72 inches (D)
  
• Weight: 6.5 oz
  

• 4 inches (H) x 2.4 inches (W) x 0.84 inches (D)
  
• Weight: 7.2 oz

Audio:

• Up to 20 minutes of skip free protection (buffer)
  
• Max Power Output: 60 mW rms (30 mW per channel)
  
• Frequency Response 20Hz to 20,000 Hz
  
• Audio formats supported: mp3 (up to 320kbps), mp3 variable bit rate (VBR), WAV, AIFF, and Audible for Mac
  
• Upgradeable firmware (but I highly doubt that the wma format will be supported)

Headphones:

• 18mm drivers using Neodymium Transducer Magents
  
• Impedance of 32 ohms

Input and Output:

• Firewire port
  
• 3.5 mm stereo headphones

Power and Battery:

• Built in rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery (1200 mAh)
  
• 10 hour playtime when fully charged
  
• Charging via firewire port or via AC Adapter.

Power Adapter:

• 6 pin FireWire connector
  
• AC input: 100V to 240V at 0.4amp maximum
  
• Frequency 50 to 60 Hz
  
• DC Output: 12V at 1 amp max.

2.1 Differences between 5 and 10/20 GB models

There is actually a difference between the 5 GB model compared to the 10/20 GB model. The 10/20 GB model have everything that the 5GB includes but adds on the remote control and carrying cases. So those looking for that remote control will need to shell out at least $399 for the 10GB model or more for the 20GB model. If you don't need the space nor the remote control - then go for the 5GB model since it's at a fairly low $299.

2.2 Differences between the current iPod and the first generation iPod

Having now owned both versions of the iPod, I can tell you that there are significant differences between the new and old iPod. Below are pictures of both the iPods with the older original one on the left. You can't really tell from the picture but my old iPod is quite beat up.

Old iPod on the left and the new iPod on the right

2.2.1 Scroll Wheel

First off, let's start with the scroll wheel. The first generation wheel was an actual moving part on the iPod. This in itself wasn't too bad but if you can remove a moving part, you can cut back on maintenance costs. As you can see on my old iPod, the wheel was also beat up. (notice in the above pic that the wheel sticks out a bit on the left iPod) Why? I only dropped the iPod something like 10 times. After awhile the wheel actually started to bend out of shape slightly. This didn't impair the usage of the player but I wasn't exactly proud of showing off the iPod either. (I know, I need to take better care of my equipment). The new iPod replaces the moving wheel with a touch sensitive scroll wheel. It's basically a touch pad now and thus there are no more moving parts! The sensitivity of the wheel is pretty much the same - in fact the wheel is sometimes too sensitive for my tastes.

2.2.2 Earbuds

I wish I had the older earbuds with me to compare them with but unfortunately I do not have them. I threw them out approximately 3 months into owning the original iPod because 1) they sucked and 2) they broke. Supposedly the new earbuds are smaller in size and better sounding than the original but the shape of the earbuds still bug me. It's really a matter of personal preference but I'd much rather have an earbud designed by some of the other vendors out there like Sony or Aiwa.

Earbuds

2.2.3 Remote Control

Ah yes the remote control - the iPod now acts like all the other music players out there by providing the lazy user another way to control the music playback. The remote is a really small device that can be clipped onto some part of your body or backpack. Using the remote, you can choose songs, pause and play music, and control the music volume. The remote is actually one piece that plugs right into the player. The headphones are separate from the remote and can either be plugged into the remote or directly to the iPod.

Remote Control

Headphones connected	The headphones w/remote

2.2.4 Covers

The new iPod comes with covers. Covers you might ask? Well first off, the 10 and 20 GB models come with a carrying case. Many original iPod users had to go out and purchase a third party manufacturer of carrying cases in order to protect their investments. Many others like myself didn't even bother and ended up with a battered device. The acrylic shell of the iPod is extremely easy to scratch or damage so having a carrying case helps out quite a bit. There's even a belt clip at the back of the carrying case in case you want to attach the iPod to your belt.

Carrying case

Besides the carrying case, Apple has also now bundled a bag that you can use to store the iPod and it's accessories. Unfortunately you really can not put in the iPod carrying case into this bag since it's a tight squeeze. Some of you will prefer to use this bag to fully secure the iPod from dust and contaminants. However the bag will not protect your iPod from falls the way the carrying case will.

Bag

Carrying case and the bag

Apple also covers up the firewire port on the new iPod. The old iPod had the firewire port wide open allowing dust and anything to enter. Now, honestly, I've never had a problem with this but I'm sure it's possible to have a freak accident and spill liquids into that port hole. Will this new cover fully protect that port? No but it's a good deterrent to most thing - better safe than sorry. The only annoying result of the cover is the fact that you constantly have to lift up the cover in order to charge the iPod. Win some.. you lose some.

Old iPod on the bottom. New iPod with the firewire cover on top

2.3 Unfortunately..

Back to the acrylic…Unfortunately Apple kept the acrylic front bezel of the iPod. Though the acrylic makes for a beautiful front, it is also susceptible to scratches and nicks. SOOO - be careful when handling the iPod if you're clumsy like myself. Use the carrying case or get a different one if you want a cooler looking one. Just be aware that if you drop that iPod without any protection, you'll probably lose that smooth surface in no time.

Another annoying aspect is the ease at which fingerprints and scratches can be applied on the back of the iPod. There must have been some way to protect this surface no? Oh well.. perhaps I should check out Oxyclean! :)

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