iPod's Dirty Secret, dead ipod batteries Options

[SkaironFrenzy]

n September of 2003 the battery in my first generation ipod would hold a charge for no longer than one hour. I brought the iPod into the Apple store in Manhattan for repair and was told they did not currently offer a battery replacement and my best option was to buy a new ipod. I then called the Apple Care 800 number regarding this issue and was told the same. I then sent my ipod to the Apple Executive office addressed to Steve Jobs with a note explaining my situation and requesting a replacement battery. The Apple Executive office contacted me via telephone to explain that Apple does not repair or replace dead ipod batteries and that it was policy of the company to recommend to the customer to purchase a new ipod when the battery fails. I then purchased a third party replacement battery, which was not endorsed by Apple. After the complicated installation, my ipod did not work at all, even when plugged in.


-Casey Neistat

http://www.ipodsdirtysecret.com/
http://neistat.com/pages/press_holding/cbs.htm

I dont know if this is still a problem. I dont have an ipod yet but now i'm second guessing myself if I should get one. Should I? hmm i dont know. what do u think?

[*Statistik*]

Hmm..i dont know..its up to you.

[*mipadi*]

First of all, the people who made iPod's Dirty Secret were exaggerating a bit on the issue. The lithium ion battery can go dead after 18 months, but it doesn't happen on every iPod, and it doesn't happen if you use the battery properly. Apple publishes some guidelines, but rule of thumb, run the battery dead, then only charge it once it is dead back to full, and the battery will last for 300-500 recharge cycles. If you take care of the battery, you shouldn't have a problem.

[illesztnena]

Well I been having my ipod for quite a while now and that didnt happen to me. Maybe that ipod was jus not well constructed or w/e you wanna call it lol, i suggest you get a new ipod with insurance just in case

[xchrystizzle]

they're exaggerating. it lasts longer than that. it all depends how you treat it//how often you charge it. if you charge it when its full battery, they'res gonna be a problem... and notice they fade out the reasons why its unreplacable -_-;;;;;

also, the ipods now are much better quality than the ones from last year. so YES GO GET IT! i want another one now. i like my mini but i want the 20gb. its $300!! greatttt price

[*kryogenix*]

That's why I like the Creative Zen. Removable Li-Ion is great. Plus it costs less than the iPod. More bang for the buck.

[sadolakced acid]

ipod's dirty secret isn't really that it goes dead in 18 months.

it's that it's impossible to open an ipod.

[*danielle_x3*]

that happened to me, but i traded in my old ipod for a replacement

[DullStringedGuit...]

i've been knowing that since i got my iPod
thats wat sux about it
apperently im the only one who read manuals/fine prints

[*mipadi*]

i've been knowing that since i got my iPod
thats wat sux about it
apperently im the only one who read manuals/fine prints   

It's not a problem if you follow lithium-ion battery care guidelines (see above).

[sadolakced acid]

It's not a problem if you follow lithium-ion battery care guidelines (see above).

it is a problem if you want to replace the lith-ion.

the lith ion in ipods is actually less of quality, which does account for a shorter life span. however, this wouldn't really be a problem if the replacement charge wasn't 99 bucks.

for 99 bucks i can replace the battery in my iriver myself. except it buys a 30 hour battery, instead of the 16 hour i have now.

[*mipadi*]

The lithium ion battery will still most likely outlast the life of the iPod, given how quickly people replace electronic devices. I don't think it's a compelling reason not to buy one, if you are otherwise happy with the iPod itself. Of course, if you're not, then don't get one.

I don't think the iPod's lithium ion battery is that bad. I know people who have the 1G iPods, and they've had no problems; mine is two years old, and I've had no problems.

If you have had a problem with it, Apple will replace it for free, anyway.

And of course, if replacing your battery is a high priority, then I guess the iPod isn't an option.

[*kryogenix*]

The lithium ion battery will still most likely outlast the life of the iPod, given how quickly people replace electronic devices. I don't think it's a compelling reason not to buy one, if you are otherwise happy with the iPod itself. Of course, if you're not, then don't get one.

I don't think the iPod's lithium ion battery is that bad. I know people who have the 1G iPods, and they've had no problems; mine is two years old, and I've had no problems.

If you have had a problem with it, Apple will replace it for free, anyway.

I don't know... I think i'd like something I pay $200-$300 for to last more than a few years.

[sadolakced acid]

The lithium ion battery will still most likely outlast the life of the iPod, given how quickly people replace electronic devices. I don't think it's a compelling reason not to buy one, if you are otherwise happy with the iPod itself. Of course, if you're not, then don't get one.

I don't think the iPod's lithium ion battery is that bad. I know people who have the 1G iPods, and they've had no problems; mine is two years old, and I've had no problems.

If you have had a problem with it, Apple will replace it for free, anyway.

And of course, if replacing your battery is a high priority, then I guess the iPod isn't an option.

not the new ones tho...

i will probably use my iriver to the ends of it's battery life, then pop in a 30 hour battery for 99 bucks. because i doubt there'll be anything to top it.

now, a new ipod, if you were to try to use it past the battery life, you'd have to pay 99 bucks for the same battery that was in there (in other words, a crappy one)

[*mipadi*]

To each his own, I guess. To actually get back to the original poster's question and actually answer it concisely, the iPod's battery should not be an issue if you take common-sense guidelines to take care of it (guidelines are available here--note that they apply to all lithium-ion batteries, for the most part). So if you really want an iPod and are holding back on buying one because of the battery, rest assured the battery should not be a problem.

However, it is important to note that the battery is not user-serviceable, meaning you can't replace it yourself, and should it go dead, you will have to send it back to Apple and pay $99 to have it replaced. The battery should last you several years, but if not, Apple will need to replace it for you (for $99). If this is not acceptable, your best bet would be to go with another MP3 player that offers a user-serviceable battery, such as an iRiver or Creative Zen.

I think that pretty much covers all the responses.

[Eryi]

Don't we have a topic on this already?
Alot of people had that problem.

[Bobblehead425]

it's that it's impossible to open an ipod.

thats funny...lol i love my ipod mini and if it ever dies i'll bury it

[Ephemeral Styles]

http://www.ipodsdirtysecret.com/
http://neistat.com/pages/press_holding/cbs.htm

I dont know if this is still a problem. I dont have an ipod yet but now i'm second guessing myself if I should get one. Should I? hmm i dont know. what do u think?

Steve Jobs sucks. Period.