Ipod 4G battery longevity?

[SuperTool]

Hi.
I bought an Ipod 4G 20gb today, but I haven't opened it. Someone told me that the battery dies after 18 months and then it costs 100 bucks to replace it. I am thinking about returning it, and getting an iriver IHP 120. Does anyone know what the longevity and replacement cost of iriver and the ipod batteries is?

 

[bockchow]

ok how does he know whats going to happen in 18 months if they just came out?

 

[Xionide]

Return it. Ipods are WAY overrated. A lot of people have ipods, a lot of people have macs, a lot of people use aol. Do not listen to these aomacpod users.

-Xionide

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: Xionide
Return it. Ipods are WAY overrated. A lot of people have ipods, a lot of people have macs, a lot of people use aol. Do not listen to these aomacpod users.

-Xionide

A lot of people have Intel CPU's, ATI video cards, etc. Does that mean he should avoid them as well?

Back to the original question, I wouldn't worry about it. The life of a Lithium Ion battery can vary greatly. I've seen plenty of Li-Ion batteries go for years and still hold a decent charge. Just because a few people had problems with their Ipod's doesn't mean everyone will. There are PLENTY of people with other MP3 players that are having far more problems.

BTW, I've used a few different HD based MP3 players and IMO the Ipod is the best. The only other one I'd recommend is the Dell DJ and that's only if you really can't afford the extra for an Ipod. I've also used an Archos Jukebox 20GB and Creative Nomad Zen Xtra and I don't recommend them at all.

IMO you should keep the 4G Ipod and be happy with it. I doubt it will disappoint you.

 

[Eli]

18 months is about the life expectancy of a Lithium Ion battery that is exposed to extreme environments or stresses.

 

[SuperTool]

Is the number of charge cycles that matters or the total battery life? What if I mostly use it off the adapter?

 

[0roo0roo]

all lithium ion batteries die eventually. depends on number of charge cycles u do..and how quickly u go through em. same for laptops/cameras etc.. if it takes 18 months of charging and playing every day..then thats what? 18 cents a day?

 

[Gooberlx2]

The 4th gen just came out? I would be interested to know whether or not they finally increased the battery life from 5 hours to something competitive with everything else. I have the IHP-120 and it gets ~16 hours, Rio Karma gets ~15 and Dell DJ ~19 IIRC. The battery life has been a big issue for my Dad....and it's been pretty much that way clear across the board with all the ipods (NOT a few isolated incidents).

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
The 4th gen just came out? I would be interested to know whether or not they finally increased the battery life from 5 hours to something competitive with everything else. I have the IHP-120 and it gets ~16 hours, Rio Karma gets ~15 and Dell DJ ~19 IIRC. The battery life has been a big issue for my Dad....and it's been pretty much that way clear across the board with all the ipods (NOT a few isolated incidents).

3rd Gen: 8hrs
4th Gen: 12hrs

Keep the iPod. If you recharge it EVERY day for 18months the battery will be knackered but will keep a decent charge still.

If your really worried get something with a replaceable battery.

In the end all batteries will lose charge somewhat. BUT lithium batteries is the best battery tech we have at the moment.

Koing

 

[iamwiz82]

Any battery will do that. Look at old laptops, half the time their wont hold any charge after 2 years.

 

[SuperTool]

OK, the second half of my question is if all batteries do that, how much does it cost to replace the battery for the ipod and the iriver?

 

[Kipper]

$99 if you have Apple do it - $30-40 if you buy the replacement yourself and do it.

 

[konichiwa]

I think the general consensus is to let the iPod drain all the way down before you charge it, instead of charging it every night or whatever. The less charges you give it the longer the battery should last.

 

[manly]

If you're going to use it a lot, buy AppleCare.

 

[z0mb13]

wow u got urs already?? I Bought mine from apple online store and its shipped from shanghai!!

did u get urs from an apple physical store??

 

[SuperTool]

Yes, apple store

 

[konichiwa]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
wow u got urs already?? I Bought mine from apple online store and its shipped from shanghai!!

did u get urs from an apple physical store??

Mine shipped from Shangai too regular FedEx but I got it in 1 day :Q

 

[SuperTool]

Is it cheaper from Shanghai?
I got mine at apple store with $30 student discount. $269+tax
Why not buy it at the store?

 

[sygyzy]

What's interesting is that everyone is pointing out that all batteries die. I don't think that's breaking news by any means. I think the real problem here is why Apple does not allow for simple user replaceable batteries (like Creative). So instead of paying Apple or a 3rd party to "hack" a battery change, a user can just swap it his/herself.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
Is it cheaper from Shanghai?
I got mine at apple store with $30 student discount. $269+tax
Why not buy it at the store?

coz when I ordered it... the stores dont have em yet

if u buy at apple online store, you get it shipped from shanghai (coz ipods are made in shanghai)

yea I got em at the same price as u did

 

[50]

I have a quick question. I might be getting one of these soon, are there any cases for the 4th generation? Thanks

 

[z0mb13]

wohooo mine is in LA already!!

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
What's interesting is that everyone is pointing out that all batteries die. I don't think that's breaking news by any means. I think the real problem here is why Apple does not allow for simple user replaceable batteries (like Creative). So instead of paying Apple or a 3rd party to "hack" a battery change, a user can just swap it his/herself.

Well simply put it would add size to the unit.

Koing

 

[konichiwa]

Originally posted by: 50
I have a quick question. I might be getting one of these soon, are there any cases for the 4th generation? Thanks

Apple makes their cases that suck but I'm sure there will be 3rd party cases soon.

 

[SuperTool]

So what's the conclusion, should I keep the Ipod, or is there a better player $269 + tax can buy?