iPod First Generation

iPod Specs:
Released:  October 23, 2001
Capacity:  5 - 10 GB
Display:  
Connection:  Firewire
Compatibility:  Mac
Batery Life (Audio):  10 hours
Batery Life (Video):  
Camera:  
Size:  
Weight:  

iPod Expert Comments:

The iPod first generation was Apple's first iPod. Among the iPod's innovations were its small size, achieved using a 1.8" hard drive, whereas its competitors were using 2.5" hard drives at the time, and its easy-to-use navigation, which was controlled using a mechanical scroll wheel, a center select button, and 4 auxiliary buttons around the wheel.

 User Comments:

92 Responses to “iPod First Generation”

  1. Matt on April 6th, 2008 at 12:58 am says:

    Best iPod ever! :D

  2. Ben Powell on April 21st, 2008 at 12:32 am says:

    Ended up with one of these when purchasing a second hand iBook off Ebay. 10 GB model came free with the buy it now which was a pleasant surprise.

    Although a little on the chunky side it was nothing compared to other players i had used in the past (riva players spring to mind!).

    Eventually it died a death after it would no longer charge from the firewire port on any computer i tried it on. Swapped out the battery to no avail.

    Brilliant player and definitely ahead of its time.

  3. Gregg on June 11th, 2008 at 3:25 pm says:

    I don’t have one, but I want one to put iPodLinux on, since my First generation nano can’t hald the entire OS unless it erases the Flash memory completly.

  4. jonathan on August 1st, 2008 at 11:08 pm says:

    how much it cost? does anyone know ?

  5. Akini Denu on August 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am says:

    this ipod stink man it bleew up the day i bought it. that is shitty man

  6. Steve on August 12th, 2008 at 3:05 pm says:

    I have the 10Gb model and believe it or not it still works well. Just today, however, I decided to spring for a refurbished MA146LL/A 30Gb video model, but I will probably keep my 10Gb forever. I’ve traveled with it all over the world.

  7. Drew Smith on August 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm says:

    i like them alot…

  8. Judith H. on September 4th, 2008 at 5:04 pm says:

    Who Invented this product?

  9. Mitch on September 19th, 2008 at 3:08 pm says:

    answer to Judith H’s question: Stevie Jobs, the CEO of Apple designed and therefore invented the first iPod in 2001 and has been making the designs ever since.

  10. Mitch2 on September 27th, 2008 at 1:27 am says:

    Sorry, Stevie did not do that. If I remember correctly, he had just gotten back to Apple just before the release of the original iPod. He was not there through the product development phase, and could not have invented it.

  11. Leif Ree-Pedersen on October 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm says:

    No, Mitch2. Steve Jobs came back to Apple in 1997 and surely had a LOT to do with the idea and development of the iPod. But of course he did not single-handedly invent or design the player. As to the actual design of the gadget, Apples brilliant chief designer, Jonathan Ive, is probably the man mostly to applaud.

  12. shikhar on October 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm says:

    tony fadell invented this

  13. luke garret on November 5th, 2008 at 11:26 am says:

    i first discovered this great ipod when i was boninig my dad in the shower on my way to college best sex invention ever
    you cunts

  14. DisplayPort? | the Blog of the Lion on November 12th, 2008 at 7:00 pm says:

    [...] is yet another example in a long string of Apple’s forward-pushing of technology. USB, Firewire, and DVD were all formats or [...]

  15. Bananananana BATMAN! on December 8th, 2008 at 12:49 am says:

    Where was the first i-Pod used?

  16. sarah on December 29th, 2008 at 9:01 pm says:

    omg i never saw that before lol its soooo ugly

  17. Keisha on January 2nd, 2009 at 3:46 am says:

    omg LOL this ipod looks horrible, id be embarassed to have it, i wonder if anybody still has this…my CD player looks better than this haha

  18. heathmun on January 8th, 2009 at 9:14 pm says:

    I still have mine!!!

    I must have the one in a million original iPod that still works great on it’s original battery… I still get 8-10hrs of playtime on the battery :)

    It’s fairly worn, the screen lens is hazy from all the inadvertent abrasion over the years and the headphone jack is cracked – it all still works fine though… listening to it right now.

    If iPodHistory.com wants it for their museum, let me know!

  19. LAZEREYE(PEW-PEW) on January 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm says:

    i hate this uglay ipodish

  20. LAZEREYE(PEW-PEW) on January 15th, 2009 at 5:40 pm says:

    cookie??

  21. CnOnUnRnTnEnY on January 30th, 2009 at 1:08 pm says:

    OMG! this iPod is too big. It’s giant!

  22. DaPowazDatOwnU on February 10th, 2009 at 7:01 pm says:

    @ luke garret’s post:

    Dude you obviously need therapy.
    Forget to take your meds did you?

  23. Lyndzey on February 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm says:

    ipods are a great piece of technology

  24. harry on February 19th, 2009 at 1:49 am says:

    help me, i need to chat to a ipod pro. dchool project

  25. ananommouse user on March 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm says:

    need to talk to ipod expert for skool project if so comment back

  26. Jeanne on March 23rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm says:

    I still have my 10gb ipod, running on original battery. Battery time not so good these days, but the player works great. The size doesn’t bother me in the least.

  27. Katie =] on March 26th, 2009 at 1:13 am says:

    This ipod is ok, I have the chromanic, I kinda like the chromanic more but the ipod first generation is pretty cool too! =]

  28. Bridget on April 21st, 2009 at 12:38 am says:

    This was pretty cool for 8 years ago, but now, it’s junk. Well, it’s still useful, but so much more innovation has been added and iPods are way better now!

  29. Heathmun on April 21st, 2009 at 12:26 pm says:

    My original iPod mentioned above has now been retired. I recently purchased an iPhone 3G (16gig) and absolutely love it. It’s certainly amazing how far this tech has evolved in the past 7-8 years.

  30. Delia from Detroit on April 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm says:

    It was like a plague of frogs and the death of all firstborns when the iPod entered the world. A strong Apple is a scary Apple and one to beware. Do not be seduced by the gray and white earbuds, America. From the Biggest Apple Hater in the State of Michigan.

  31. Pete on April 21st, 2009 at 7:20 pm says:

    Delia from Detriot, you’re a nutter – Pete the owner.

  32. Delia from Detroit on April 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm says:

    @Pete

    You can’t even spell “Detroit.” I feel sorry for you if you own an iPod. There are dozens of other media players out there that provide an able alternative to the Apple hype.

  33. Pete on April 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm says:

    lol late evening typo. There are plenty of generic mp3 players out there – this just happens to be the history of the iPod site.

  34. Shark Bait on May 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 am says:

    Is anyone interested in selling one of these for $20-50?

    I am trying to form a collection of all older iPods and am having a devil of a time finding one of these…

    I am willing to take one with failed hard drive or battery, since those I can repair…

  35. J.S. on May 10th, 2009 at 11:28 pm says:

    im like shark bait there, i just want one so i can grab history by its balls.

  36. e.o. on May 18th, 2009 at 8:15 pm says:

    it rocks

  37. deathbyleprechaun on May 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pm says:

    What is wrong with you all? How can you say that the first ipods were bad? BLASPHEMY!!!

  38. lexie on May 21st, 2009 at 5:39 pm says:

    the best ipod ever

  39. eggy on August 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm says:

    eww that thing is nasty! haha [no offense] but why would any of you call it best ipod ever when stuff like the ipod touch is out!

  40. Social History of the MP3 « Daniel Nisbet on August 25th, 2009 at 9:33 am says:

    [...] kill the Music Industry? To put the timeframe into perspective Apple didn’t release their mac-only firewire iPod until October of that year, the first iPod that supported USB properly was the 4th Generation model [...]

  41. aaonefan on September 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm says:

    That’s a fun discussion. I have done my best in the last 8 years to avoid iPods. I thought they were overrated and most of the times not as good as other equivalent players. I still do. But my boss gave me her iPod classic 3rd gen because ‘it no longer works dear’ – happens I just had to open the thing to replace the battery. I love it and for all its weaknesses I think there is no mp3 player on the market that looks as good as any iPod classic. I am after the above 1st gen. one because i think it’s the best looking of all – wish me good luck!

  42. quackquack on September 2nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm says:

    when was this ipod used in the 1800s haha at least they had an ipod back then

  43. dillion on September 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 pm says:

    this is old

  44. dillion on September 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 pm says:

    this is the best ipod you could ever think of it rocks

  45. jazmine on September 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 pm says:

    this is the best ipod you could ver think of it rocks

  46. Vanessa Hudgens on September 8th, 2009 at 8:49 am says:

    the ipod is so cool,i have ipod shuffle,nano,classic and touch. i hate the my fan i know i say that i love but i hate thurst me.

  47. brooklynsk8r on September 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm says:

    i honestly hate this one cuz its so ugly i just wouldnt want a ipod that looks like a toilet carrying around in my pocket like that

  48. titi 97 on October 1st, 2009 at 4:04 am says:

    i want a ipod now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  49. Heathmun on October 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 am says:

    Well it wasn’t the first MP3 player on the market and it certainly was pretty expensive. What the iPod offered was a far superior interface. The operating system on it and the controls were very intuitive and unmatched. Yes, there was a lot of marketing and media hype but without the juice to back it up it would have just been another Zune :)

    This all combined to soak up tremendous market share and today the iPod still owns the greatest share by far. Sony, once so far ahead in the portable music realm can’t even muster any competition.

    Apple often isn’t the absolute first to do things but often times they tend to do it the best.

  50. kelli on October 8th, 2009 at 3:03 pm says:

    u peepz r creepy, go take some antidepressants or adhd meds, plz, ur scarin the little peepz out there

  51. Long Time Rocken on November 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm says:

    I just found my i pod that was retired so long ago. Retired only because of the new addition to the i pod family. My only problem is that I can’t find my firewire connection. I will bring it back out of retirement just for the fun of it. Love it. Great product.
    Long Time Rocken

  52. jfeild on December 12th, 2009 at 12:52 am says:

    how much would a 1st ever generation ipod cost now, does anyone think it would become an antique in the future, any thoughts or help welcome

  53. Jack on December 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm says:

    This the most suckish iPod ever.

  54. Richee on December 14th, 2009 at 9:28 pm says:

    Anyone know how much this weighs?

  55. Anonymous on December 31st, 2009 at 3:18 am says:

    Ok to the people who are bashing this Ipod. It may not be cool and up to date but in 2001 it was the best of its time, and without its release there wouldn’t be the new Ipods they have now. I have personally never seen one in person but I would have definately not minded one in 2001 when they were “tiny”.

  56. bigpackofHACK on January 9th, 2010 at 6:22 pm says:

    I REALLLY LIKE THE NAME “Bananananana BATMAN!”
    Hahahah.

  57. Nikki on January 15th, 2010 at 4:36 pm says:

    i have a blue ipod and i luv it :D

  58. Nikki on January 15th, 2010 at 4:38 pm says:

    2. Tony Fadell they both created the I Pod.
    3. Tony Fedell Created the I Pod (Apple.)

    why did the creator create the iPod?
    1. Steve Jobs “molded the device’s shape, feel, and design”, no doubt with the assistance of Tony Fadell, the director of Apple’s Industrial Design Group.
    2. The I Pod is designed for anyone interested in carrying the equivalent of hundreds of CDs worth of music, and numerous other files, in a small, easy-to-use design that fits in one’s pocket.

    why did the creator create the iPod?
    1. The I Pod is designed for anyone interested in carrying the equivalent of hundreds of CDs worth of music, and numerous other files, in a small, easy-to-use design that fits in one’s pocket.
    2. Steve Jobs “molded the device’s shape, feel, and design”, no doubt with the assistance of Tony Fadell, the director of Apple’s Industrial Design Group.
    3. Portable music player that holds a few hundred songs and offers easy and easy to use on the other hand. I Pods became very popular in fact the I Pod was known as the best selling music player of all time.

  59. Nikki on January 15th, 2010 at 4:40 pm says:

    hello i luv my iphone and ipod touch

  60. Heathmun on January 22nd, 2010 at 3:51 pm says:

    Nikki, what are you smokin’? :)

    Fadell was Sr. VP of the iPod Division not head of the I.D. Group. He was very instrumental in the technological development of the iPod first as an independent contractor and later as head of the division.

    Jonathan Ive is most credited with the design of the device (Sr. VP of the Industrial Design Group.

    Jonathan Ive is a very successful designer. Being in the right environment with the right resources can really make a difference in a designer’s output. I don’t know what he was thinking when they pushed that round mouse on us though… complete disregard for ergonomics, usability, product/user feedback, etc. – you name it, that item failed on nearly every aspect of design. That’s for another discussion though :)

  61. manny on January 23rd, 2010 at 8:35 pm says:

    grosss this thing looks like crap!
    who ever still has one move on! they have ones with better battery, more storage and theri better looking!

  62. ily on January 27th, 2010 at 7:20 pm says:

    ya all rong man i pod touch da best

  63. ilyzook on January 27th, 2010 at 7:21 pm says:

    ya all rong man i pod touch da best:)

  64. Ambe222 on January 29th, 2010 at 2:05 am says:

    How much was the first iPod , and all the others, when they first came out?

  65. jaedyn rayner on January 31st, 2010 at 11:36 pm says:

    hey i luv ipods

  66. bobotisfrirye on February 3rd, 2010 at 3:32 pm says:

    iPods r the best things since pcs!!!!!!! I LUV IPODS!!!!!!!! XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD i luv carrots!!!!!!!

  67. da bunny wabbit on February 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm says:

    I LUV CARROTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) YAY CARROTS!!!!!!! u shold make an ipod carrot.

  68. Justin Thompson on February 3rd, 2010 at 11:48 pm says:

    your awesome Ambe222 i luv yuo sooo much !

  69. Megan on February 11th, 2010 at 12:26 am says:

    Answer to Richee’s question: it weighed about 8.9 ounces. I would have bought it if i knew about it, i have the 5th generation ipod its purlpe i love it!!! im listening to it right now!!!! i love the APPLE inc.!!!

  70. Jimi on February 18th, 2010 at 9:46 pm says:

    Can someone write me a two page essay on this ipod?

  71. karlie sturgis on February 22nd, 2010 at 6:20 pm says:

    my grandmals friend stole mine

  72. Jeroen Chee on February 24th, 2010 at 7:02 pm says:

    i luv all and every ipod hahahaha i luv u guys 2

  73. Divya on February 27th, 2010 at 3:31 am says:

    Found this awesome site while looking around to see if the batteries are still available for the first gen; mine’s getting sluggish. Hey Jonathan, I have a 5GB one and those retailed for $399, since you asked. I’ve used it nearly every day since I got it in December of 2001 and it still works fine. It’s on its second battery right now, and I’ve never even filled all 5GB of space. I think it’s lighter than 8.9 ounces but I can’t argue that since I don’t have a tiny scale. :o ) Best iPod ever.

  74. juggalo familia on March 4th, 2010 at 6:39 pm says:

    i dont like the i pod for im am a former juggalo but its ok i got and ipod first generartion the headphiones u get with it are weird but its still ok it works great

  75. juggalo familia on March 4th, 2010 at 6:55 pm says:

    ya i hate carrots but ipod are cool write me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  76. joseph uriostegui on March 16th, 2010 at 3:59 pm says:

    this ipod is a must have

  77. Michael on March 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm says:

    I’ve just bought a First Generation, 5GB. Battery refurbished, well looked after. It’s a bit more chunky than current iPods but by no means heavy or awkward. The wheel is a lot nicer than current models since it tends to glide rather than drag. In terms of the looks, up close it’s a 10/10 on the design front. I don’t quite get the sentiments that it looks like “crap”, it’s classic for sure but at the same time iconic and a real achievement of design. Even today it still turns heads and impresses just about everyone that looks at it.

    I love my iPhone for sure, and it’s a lot more modern, but for just music (which this first iPod was all about) there’s nothing quite like it.

  78. Jaycee on April 5th, 2010 at 2:04 pm says:

    I have have my i pod for 2 years, and dropped it like 50 times and it is still in perfect condition!

  79. chiko on April 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 am says:

    IPOD CLASSIC PWNS ALL WITH ITS 180GB STORAGE MUWHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

  80. Anna on May 4th, 2010 at 12:36 am says:

    WANTED: 1st gen ipod (brand new in box). Please tweet me if you have one.

    http://twitter.com/AnnaGuerchenzon

  81. meee on May 9th, 2010 at 1:47 pm says:

    will this original one work with windows??

  82. anil on May 11th, 2010 at 12:50 pm says:

    i recon it is not that good it could be better

  83. ipodlover on May 29th, 2010 at 6:56 am says:

    anybody knows where i can purchase the cable for this ipod? T____T

  84. Psyko on June 5th, 2010 at 3:57 am says:

    WANTED: 1st gen ipod (brand new in box). Please tweet me if you have one.
    http://mobile.twitter.com/Psykomaniaque

  85. Psykomaniaque on June 5th, 2010 at 3:59 am says:

    WANTED: 1st gen ipod (brand new in box). Please tweet me if you have one.

    http://mobile.twitter.com/Psykomaniaque

  86. Bill Italy on June 8th, 2010 at 12:34 am says:

    I am interested to buy Ipod 1G functional. Contact me at ricciobroker@gmail.com

  87. romany :D on June 9th, 2010 at 1:17 pm says:

    i want one!

  88. nick knight on June 21st, 2010 at 2:50 am says:

    i had 1 of these and i put it in my but hole

  89. nick knight on June 21st, 2010 at 2:50 am says:

    ipods are cool, but they need to vibrate

  90. nick knight on June 21st, 2010 at 2:51 am says:

    these are probly the ghayest things i hav ever seen!i had 1 and i inserted it right into my bum

  91. Max Clark on July 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm says:

    ._. Half of the comments on this page are spam or idiots just doing their thing.
    Anyway, for those of you badmouthing this iPod, I respect your opinion, but I don’t agree with it.
    Albeit it’s old (2001) and had next to no capacity, I still love this one.
    I have a near-mint 2nd generation 10 GB myself, and I still use it to date. The battery only lasts about 4 hours, but, oh, well.

  92. gigi buffin on July 5th, 2010 at 7:38 pm says:

    wasttttteeee…likkcle bop head

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