Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Fantastic Thread!

Long-time lurker, first-time poster...

I have been searching for some information on iPod collecting for a long time, and am quite happy to have stumbled upon this thread.

I think that iPod collecting is going to continue to grow over time, and most of the pre-touch models will be highly sought after.

Even now I walk into pawn shops asking if they have any old iPods and the response that I get is "you mean the 80GB ones?". I politely explain that I'm looking for the 5GB or 20GB ones and they tell me that I'm mistaken... most people weren't aware of the iPod models prior to around 2006.

I'm quite sad to admit that I did the sell-and-upgrade routine as time went along. I remember owning the 2nd Gen Touch Wheel, then the 4th Gen Click Wheel, then the 1st Gen iPod Nano, 1st Gen iPod Shuffle, 2nd Gen iPod Nano, 2nd Gen iPod Shuffle, and finally 2nd Gen iPod Touch. I wish that I could go back in time to tell myself to hold onto these and their packaging... but I can't cry over spilled milk.

Now I'm slowly building the collection once again. I use my iPhone 4S as my regular go-to device, but I also use my 2nd Gen Shuffle when exercising. Pics to follow.
 
How can you tell which models were produced before week 11 2002?

Only one model existed. The original big white iPod for Mac only with a 5gig hard drive and a physical rotating wheel at the front. And the serial number ;)

Serial number should be: two letters (NOT GQ) and then some numbers. First number is year and the second and third is week. Letters are production plant. To be a true 1:st gen it should be two letters and then number 1 or 2. If you have number 2 (which means 2002) then the following two numbers should be less than 11 (week 11). So the serial "AB3410GBNAM" indicates its made 2003 in week 41. NOT a first generation iPod.

ipod_original.jpeg
 
Last edited:
[clap][clap][clap]

Very informative, thank you!

Just one last question... I see that a lot of serial numbers start with "U2" instead of 2 letters, does this get treated as another plant code and the remaining characters follow the year/week format?

Thanks again, very useful information :cool:
 
[clap][clap][clap]

Very informative, thank you!

Just one last question... I see that a lot of serial numbers start with "U2" instead of 2 letters, does this get treated as another plant code and the remaining characters follow the year/week format?

Thanks again, very useful information :cool:

Jepp! Sorry my bad. "U2" is the original plant. Foxconn (Inventec) in Taiwan. The serial for an original iPod generation 1 should be U2143xxxxxx to U2152xxxxxx or U2201xxxxxx to U2211xxxxxx. I can not on top of my head remember when other plants started to produce iPods...
 
Last edited:
I found a "GQ" model, can you explain what makes these bad?

They are refurbished models. Nothing about them is original anymore. They are pre-used iPods, returned to Apple, fixed to original functionality with new electronics and sold again as refurbs. There are 1:st generation iPods found with GQ serials from 2006. The factories didn't produce 1:st gen iPods in 2006 so... :rolleyes:

Refurbished at Wikipedia

GQ doesn't matter to some collectors, but I would never spend big $$ on a refurbished model.
 
I found a "GQ" model, can you explain what makes these bad?

Take a look at this auction. He's been trying to sell this for a very long time now. Why hasn't anyone bought it? Well, would you?

Its a gem, yes. Even the original headphones are in the box still sealed which is like the holy grail for a collector. But its refurbished by Apple and will never be consider to be a 1:st gen by true collectors. Also the box is in terrible shape. AND there is no way in hell someone can tell this truly is a "unused" iPod! Its in a very good shape, but should be considered USED!

"Apple iPod classic 1st Gen MAC (5 GB) open box PERFECT CONDITION! UNUSED!!"
 
My collection

I have been looking this site for long time, Now i will post my little collection

:apple:ipad 3
:apple:ipod shuffle 4th gen
:apple:ipod nano 7th gen
:apple:ipod touch 5th gen


i also have 5th gen classic and 2 ipod touch..
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20140211_220101.jpg
    IMG_20140211_220101.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 187
Take a look at this auction. He's been trying to sell this for a very long time now. Why hasn't anyone bought it? Well, would you?

Its a gem, yes. Even the original headphones are in the box still sealed which is like the holy grail for a collector. But its refurbished by Apple and will never be consider to be a 1:st gen by true collectors. Also the box is in terrible shape. AND there is no way in hell someone can tell this truly is a "unused" iPod! Its in a very good shape, but should be considered USED!

"Apple iPod classic 1st Gen MAC (5 GB) open box PERFECT CONDITION! UNUSED!!"

Wow Fralle all of this info is very impressive..you may be the most knowledgable collector out there! I'm glad you have done such a great job with this thread. Thanks for keeping it up!
 
Wow Fralle all of this info is very impressive..you may be the most knowledgable collector out there! I'm glad you have done such a great job with this thread. Thanks for keeping it up!


Thank you! You started it all! I'm trying to create a reference web page for collectors to enjoy! I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, but its a work in progress! Have a look ;)

www.ipod.se

/Fralle
 
Thank you! You started it all! I'm trying to create a reference web page for collectors to enjoy! I'm trying to be as accurate as possible, but its a work in progress! Have a look ;)

www.ipod.se

/Fralle

Great work in progress! On the 1st Generation portion I can confirm that the firewire cable does not include caps. It is wrapped in the wire tie as you said, but is also wrapped in plastic with a perforation that can make it easy to tear off (you can see the perforation under the china sticker in the enlarged photo). The tips of the wrapped cable are covered with small clear plastic sleeves. You can see all of these things in the attached photos.
 

Attachments

  • photo.JPG
    photo.JPG
    582.3 KB · Views: 138
  • photo 1.JPG
    photo 1.JPG
    506.1 KB · Views: 165
  • photo 2.JPG
    photo 2.JPG
    490.1 KB · Views: 141
Great work in progress! On the 1st Generation portion I can confirm that the firewire cable does not include caps. It is wrapped in the wire tie as you said, but is also wrapped in plastic with a perforation that can make it easy to tear off (you can see the perforation under the china sticker in the enlarged photo). The tips of the wrapped cable are covered with small clear plastic sleeves. You can see all of these things in the attached photos.


Awesome Matt! Thanks!
 
Last edited:
There are 1:st generation iPods found with GQ serials from 2006. The factories didn't produce 1:st gen iPods in 2006 so... .

You're a bit wrong. Apple continue to produce devices of a kind during 7 years after discontinuing date. 5 years - because that is an international service eligibility period, 7 years - because of local laws in California, where service eligibility should be at least 7 years long. Of course the amount of devices is way smaller than usual, and many devices are refurbished, but, anyway - "new iPods, produced in 2006" could be really a new iPod, produced in 2006, but produced for a service needs - as a replacement, not as the original product.


And now - a photo :) 4th generation nano is 4gb (super-rare) version

e25257b5ed81dba0458ba10323cebcd7.jpg


Not iPods, but still very cute:

0483b2820b1c6205c9d57982a5605200.jpg
 
Last edited:
You're a bit wrong. Apple continue to produce devices of a kind during 7 years after discontinuing date. 5 years - because that is an international service eligibility period, 7 years - because of local laws in California, where service eligibility should be at least 7 years long. Of course the amount of devices is way smaller than usual, and many devices are refurbished, but, anyway - "new iPods, produced in 2006" could be really a new iPod, produced in 2006, but produced for a service needs - as a replacement, not as the original product.

I know this. To me this is not a first gen anyway. Its really up to everyone to decide for themselves. To me and to many others, we like our 1st generation iPods to be produced during the 1st generation period with electronics from 2001. If you think different, fine. Thats really up to you ;)

Nice iPods btw! :)
 
I know this. To me this is not a first gen anyway. Its really up to everyone to decide for themselves. To me and to many others, we like our 1st generation iPods to be produced during the 1st generation period with electronics from 2001. If you think different, fine. Thats really up to you ;)

Nice iPods btw! :)

Ah,I don't care.

However, cheek your Mailbox (retroipod) - I've send you some information
 
Im trying to collect all the newest ipod shuffle colors, i dont care if they work or not, just good condition. I have the silver, pink and purple so far.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.