Ipod Mini 1st,2nd,3rd gen

[duncan]

hi. anybody care to explain why there are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and even 4th generations ipod minis. thanks

[ruger]

i think there are only two generations of ipod minis to date. one has an 8hr battery life while the other (the newer one) has 18hrs and a 6gb option.

[glenxy2005]

now the 3rd gen can only play up to 8 while 4th gen is 12 hours... the new 2nd gen mini will take up to 18

[elbert]

glenxy2005, ruger is correct, there are only two generations of iPod minis. In addition, the newer models have been stripped of FireWire cables and AC adapters.

duncan, the generations refer to the models being revamped. When a new line of models are released, the previous one is referred to as a generation. In the case of the mini, there are only two so far (distinguished by the brighter colors and color-coordinated click wheel font), so the previous line is called a first generation and the new one is called the second generation.

In the case of the regular iPod (the white one), there are now four generations.

[duncan]

thanks for the explanations guys. i was just confused coz some of the sellers selling ipods always indicate the generations and i dont know what generation is the latest.

[elbert]

iPod:
1st Gen – ‘moving’ wheel, FireWire port (October 2001)
2nd Gen – ‘touch’ wheel, FireWire port (July 2002)
3rd Gen – four-button, touch sensitive layout, FW port replaced by dock connector (April 2003)
4th Gen – Click Wheel, 12-hour battery, slimmest 20GB yet. (July 2004)

iPod mini
1st Gen – 4GB, 5 colors (January 2004)
2nd Gen – 4GB and 6GB, 4 colors, no AC Adaptor, no FW cable (February 2005)

For a detailed timeline and history, check out
iPod Lounge's Instant Expert: A Brief History of iPod