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iPod lifespan rated at 4 years

Posted on Jul 27, 06 09:22 AM PDT

iPod lifespan rated at 4 years
Apple's iPods are pretty well known for the occasional glitch as well as its iconic status, but the failure rate seem higher than others due to its extreme popularity and coverage. Although each iPod was built to last for 4 years, Macintouch performed a survey last year and noticed the iPod had a failure rate that averaged 13.7% from a pool of nearly 9,000 iPods. Most of these iPods died due to hard drive and battery related issues. With the shift to solid state flash memory in its Shuffle and nano line, the failure rate has dropped by quite a bit. Here's an interesting piece of trivia - the iPod turns five when October rolls around, so if you have a first-gen iPod still running, count yourself blessed.

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By mosh , 09/06/08 9:54 AM (CommentID #718941)


I have a ipod nano for 3 years and it has been in constant comatose state for a month now. Repairing it is too expensive to be considered. 3 years is a good lifespan but I guess I was expecting more for forking out $300.

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By Carl LaFong , 01/04/08 4:16 PM (CommentID #604129)


30 GB 5th Generation. 4 month in it froze up every time I skipped a song. Replaced it. Four months later frowny face icon appeared. Replaced it. Replacement had a battery that lasted about two hours. Replaced it immediately. Bought extended warranty. Fourth one had frowny face icon. Replaced it. I'm now on 5th one in 14 months.

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By Jay , 25/02/08 7:32 PM (CommentID #511695)


I've had my 30GB 5.5 generation scince the very first day it came out and i have not had a single problem with it other than it doesn't turn off now and then.... and there something rattling around inside the case from me droping it from height varing from 4-6 ft on hardwood and carpet. I guess some iPods are duds and some rock....like mine.

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By Peter , 19/02/08 5:43 AM (CommentID #496706)


I think Mark might be confused if he thinks Apple invented the mp3 player, although they have been most successful in popularising it.

Also, in the past I have known of many many Sony Minidisk players that died shortly after the warranty ran out.

Me and a friend both got the same no-name mp3 player. Both developped the same crack accross the screen after 2/3 years and the hd in mine just packed in while I was cycling a few days ago (after maybe 3.5 years of use). My friend seemed to believe that an ipod would've been better. Maybe in some ways, but I doubt it would be much more durable.

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By Marshall , 08/01/08 7:41 AM (CommentID #421890)


i've had my 60GB video for two years now with no problems other than the occasional scratch

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By Andy , 04/10/07 8:34 PM (CommentID #322873)


My 20Gig Gen4. "off" function died within the first month. To much hassle to ship so it is on or standby ever since....

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By Brian , 18/09/07 9:22 AM (CommentID #305334)


Mark, have you considered the iAudio7 or the Creative Zen V Plus? Both are great alternatives to the new iPod Nano and are better products. They are also about 50 cheaper, have more features, can play a whole bunch of diff. music file types, and are more durable. Check them out on CNET. The only downside is the lack of a scrollwheel, but I'd rather not have a scroll wheel than deal with buying a whole new device.

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By Anonymous , 17/05/07 6:15 AM (CommentID #173182)


I have purchased my ipod video 11 months ago, and I'm alredy experinecing problems with 1 line on headphones, luckily apple will replace my ipod with new one. I guess its not ment to be durable.

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By Drew , 21/04/07 5:16 PM (CommentID #146265)


My 60 GB Video which I purchased within a week of their release sharted showing serious issues about a month after the warranty ran out, and it quit for good about two months later. I love the ipod, and I've seen a lot of mp3 players and it seems the best, but I just don't know if I want to spend 300 dollars again for something that's going to break after a 15 months.

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By Mark , 09/04/07 10:19 AM (CommentID #134943)


I've purchased 3 ipods in the last 2 years. Two nanos which both bit the dust within a year (luckily both were replaced under warrenty) and a 20g 4th generation that lasted 18 months, I guess I'm out of luck on that one. Great invention, but it seems like apple has a good scam going here....

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By Denise , 04/04/07 8:00 AM (CommentID #129939)


I have purchased 2 ipods within the last 3 years, both of which have failed less than a year. I love my ipod(s), but the lifespan on these puppies are crazy. I've never have been the one to purchase exte3ned warrenty because I take very good care of my products but after my ipod experience i realize its essential to buy one.

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