Old 'Pods or New 'Pods?

[Cozzie]

Do you prefer the look of the new iPod (gen 3) or of the old iPod (gen 1 & 2)?

Personally, I like them both. I loved the gen 3 iPod when it first came out, but I have began to prefer the older iPods more and more in terms of looks. They are just more "bold" and striking, even if they aren't as streamlined.

[Jester]

I agree that both version are sexy. Each has a quality that is unique.

[kamj12]

I like the 3rd gen. one. She's slim and sexy:D

[Kenny]

It's weird. When I first saw pictures of the new iPod, I thought it was ugly, and looked very very cheap.
But as soon as I saw it in person, my view completely changed. It has lost that 'simplistic' look the old iPod has, but has gained the tecno/'this is the future' look, added with an even smaller and compact design.

It's just one of those things that pictures dont do justice with

[IDSmoker]

After finally getting my hands on one of the new iPods at the local CompUSA, my opinion has been comfirmed... Apple blew it!

The original iPods have a very unique look when compared to it's competitors.

The new iPods look very similiar to all of the other HD-based players. The only things that visually differentiate it, is the size/weight, scroll wheel, and it's white.

IMO, Apple sacrificed the iPod's most distinctive features, (the 'square' edges, the clear 'lucite', and the buttons surrounding/emphasizing the scrollwheel) and compensated us by adding overly sensitive touch-sensitive controls. A rather dubious improvement.

just my opinion...

[Cozzie]

Originally posted by IDSmoker
The original iPods have a very unique look when compared to it's competitors. The new iPods look very similiar to all of the other HD-based players.

That is exactly how I feel. I thought Apple were the "innovators"... but now it seems that they are just following the current trends (instead of starting the trends themselves!).

Same with the new PowerBooks (12" and 17" models). Apart from the fact they are made out of aluminum, they look virtually identical to all the other PC laptops out there. Sure the keyboard lights up - so what? I want something that looks stylish and professional (like the 15" TiBook).

That said, Apple still makes amazing products. It's just that I feel that a design should either be improved or kept - a winning design shouldn't be scrapped just for the sake of "a change".

[stasyna]

"old" ipods!!!

you cant expand on perfection.

[gizmo53]

I think that they both have their strengths/weaknesses. Anyone who says that apple is "following the industry" is wrong. What "trends" are there in the industry that involve using no moving parts for buttons? The first/second gen. has its strengths in that it is a much better paperweight than the second. Oh yeah, and it has a longer battery life. The latest ones have the benefit of being available in higher capacities, the dock (Blingtastic I think), and being much, much smaller. The backlight I don't see much difference. in fact, I like how the new ones aren't as bright, as for me the old ones were so bright they could wash out the screen for me (yes, I tried screwing with the contrast, but I couldn't get it perfect). Looking at my new one, I also think that it has a better viewing angle.

[Audioboxer]

"old" iPods by far.

[Cozzie]

Originally posted by gizmo53
Anyone who says that apple is "following the industry" is wrong. What "trends" are there in the industry that involve using no moving parts for buttons?
No, I mean that Apple are copying the button layout used by other companies (take the Sony Designer Mezzo for example). The "old" iPods had a much more intuative layout that was simply impossible to improve on. Yet instead of keeping it as it was, Apple felt they needed to keep with the "trends" and introduce a more modern layout.

Personally, I still love the new layout. It looks great! However, it is definately not as unique and easy-to-navigate as the old 'Pods. The older design did not need backlights for the buttons - the user could sense/remember where they were. The fact that the new 'Pods need a backlight highlights the fact that the keys are obviously placed in such a position that they will confuse users.

[Thumbtwiddler]

Originally posted by gizmo53
What "trends" are there in the industry that involve using no moving parts for buttons?

This is actually a rather famous trend of the past 20 years or so, as music synthesizers got rid of the knobs and switches for touch sensitive flat panels, which are FAR cheaper to manufacture.

Of course, the people that have to use their hands and fumble for stuff in the dark demanded someone return their knobs.

So what you get is more capacity at the same price, by lowering the costs of manufacture. Maybe the pros and cons balance out.

Which is why I am looking for a 30 gig once the bugs are ironed out, even if I would prefer a 40 gig in the original form factor with longer battery life (didn't those PCMCIA sized hard drives become available in 40 gig size? Guess they weren't thin enough for the new ipod design)

[IDSmoker]

Originally posted by Cozzie
No, I mean that Apple are copying the button layout used by other companies (take the Sony Designer Mezzo for example). The "old" iPods had a much more intuative layout that was simply impossible to improve on. Yet instead of keeping it as it was, Apple felt they needed to keep with the "trends" and introduce a more modern layout.

Personally, I still love the new layout. It looks great! However, it is definately not as unique and easy-to-navigate as the old 'Pods. The older design did not need backlights for the buttons - the user could sense/remember where they were. The fact that the new 'Pods need a backlight highlights the fact that the keys are obviously placed in such a position that they will confuse users.

I think it would be interesting to know which design decision came first? Reposition the buttons or make the buttons touch-sensitive.

Personally, I think Apple decided to go with touch-sensitive controls, and then found that the old button layout wouldn't work (think how easily mistaken button presses would be with touch-sensitive buttons in the old layout). Why else would Apple abandon such an intuitive control layout?

The decision to go touch-sensitive was probably driven by the decision to reduce the size and weight. After all, they sacrificed battery life, one of the principal 'Gods' of the portable audio universe, in further pursuit of size-reduction (one of the competing 'Gods'). Then again, Apple has always chosen to completely ignore that other diety ... 'Price'. ;)

[bluecamel]

I haven't actually held a new iPod in my hands, but I love my old one and the new ones don't look as nice with the buttons, so I've got to go with the old. Hopefully I make it up to CompUSA next week and see them - and maybe I'll change my mind.

[Thumbtwiddler]

Originally posted by bluecamel
I haven't actually held a new iPod in my hands, but I love my old one and the new ones don't look as nice with the buttons, so I've got to go with the old. Hopefully I make it up to CompUSA next week and see them - and maybe I'll change my mind.

I have played with all three generations, and own the first gen, a 5gig.

I sort of like the third gen better than the second generation... model 2's touchpad scroll wheel is not as sensitive, and it tends to show dirt quickly and is apparently not so easy to clean... check out any second gen demo model at a dealer near you.

I almost went for a 20 gig, but knowing more capacity was around the corner, I waited for this iteration, and like it better. Still prefer the first generation the best.

Where the third gen looks better is in the backlight, and the lit buttons, and the more sensitive touch responsivity I consider a plus. The first gen is the only one which you can spin the scroll wheel like a roulette wheel though, and the control buttons make more sense to me to be around the wheel.

But they couldn't make it as cheap using the old design.

[rhad2k]

I like the look of the old 'Pod...
But I LOVE the new 'Pod!
Since I've had the opportunity to compare them side by side today.

I understand how people might still prefer the old model for its simple, elegant design... but the New iPod is just plain "sexier". Smaller, sleeker & more toys to play with.

[bluecamel]

I guess some of us are just a little bit sentimental with our first iPods. I'm sure I'll crack one day and buy one of the new ones - especially because of the 30GB capacity. Or maybe I should wait another year for a 50GB :)

[uniqueseraph]

Original is always best:)

[hype]

Definitely the 'old' iPods look better. I just don't like how the new ones are rounded, and just the layout of the older one was better.

[i satellite]

I've owned every iPod design from the first 5GB to the 10GB, 20GB. I traded each iPod in at my local CompUSA for the latest and greatest model. When I traded up to the 20GB from the 10GB, I immediately noticed the wheel difference, but it was too late. I consoled myself that the extra 10GB was worth the tradeoff. I adapted over time, but after messing with my friend's original 5GB recently, I realized how much I missed it....how perfect the original scrolling wheel design was.....it literally feels like glass...songs are easy to select....you just want to move the wheel all the time! I realized I missed it more than the 10GB I had gained in the new model. So I recently bought the 30GB to see if there was an improvement in the design, but after spending a weekend with it, I honestly believe the design is flawed. The ONLY reason Apple moved the buttons up under the screen was so they couldn't be triggered accidently. So much for usability! In fact, I have accidently triggered the center button many times...which is very frustrating because the menu, ff, rew, and pause don't work in that mode! Now I know why they added glow-in-the-dark buttons to the new design. This is not an iPod you can operate easily in the dark, let alone in a pocket. The only reason for the sharp plastic edge around the center button is so you don't accidently trigger it, and they repeated that design everywhere else. Over time that sharp groove will collect sweat, dirt, and gunk. Then it will look even MORE like a real bar of soap. Basically the layout and look of the new iPod revolves around the touch-sensitive buttons (fewer repairs) at the expense of usability. And less battery power is NOT an improvement, the battery will run out well into your 30GB of songs! Because of all of these issues, in my opinion the new iPod is actually a downgrade. It's NOT better than the original iPod design. People who say otherwise are just trying to make themselves feel better for sacrificing usability for more MB. I just upgraded to a 10GB...I took the 30GB back to the store...and bought a mint 10GB with original scroll wheel on eBay for $225. Best decision I ever made!

As an afterthought, I will also add that the old connector was a much sturdier connector than the new one, and more convenient. The new one requires little plastic protectors that Apple provides two of because they KNOW you will lose at least one. Apple apparently is allowing the large Windows market to govern the design of their connectors.

[doktor242]

I like the button layout of my original 5gb a lot more, but the rounded edges and clearer screen of my brand new 15gb have won my heart.

Also, I like iPod in Futura on the back better than iPod in Apple Garamond. ;)

[destined_wind]

New Ipods rule! :D

[noryen]

I'll admit that I love the thin and clean look of the 3g. However, the button placement of the 1/2g is far superior in terms of usability.

If they made a model that combined the tactile buttons of the 2g and the slim and lightweight design of the 3g, then I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

As for now, functionality wins out for me, and my iPod of choice is the 2nd Gen 10gb. (I chose the 10gb over the 20gb purely due to weight).

[Thumbtwiddler]

Originally posted by noryen

If they made a model that combined the tactile buttons of the 2g and the slim and lightweight design of the 3g, then I'd buy that in a heartbeat.



I don't think you can have both at the same time. I really don't. The slim 3rd gen model has the buttons aways from the scroll pad because the buttons and scroll area are so sensitive you almost do not have to touch them to activate them. This is probably the primary reason the play buttons were moved. The higher sensitivity is actually better in a way, at least compared to the 2nd Gen touchpad scroll are, which from what I can tell from wear patterns on store demos, and my own tryouts, was not sensitive enough. Also, the 3g pod could not be so thin and still have physical switches, if the slimness is important to you. Also this allowed them to make it for less money, while upgrading the storage capability. I wish the battery didn't take a hit in the process, but if you wanted a thinner iPod that held more songs, at the same price as before, this is what you have to live with for now.

I think the 2nd gen is the worst design... that trackpad scroll wheel just didn't fly

[zipforia]

Vote for G2

The only things I like about the G3 iPod is the larger disk space, and Play-List-On-The-Go. All other features I can do without. Let's compare the G1&2 against G3:

Yes, the G3 is thiner...but it's also longer.

It's lighter...but has shorter battery life than G2.

G3 has new button scheme, but it takes away from the Apple's simplistic theme, which is present on the G1&2. Furthermore, if the backlight is white, why couldn't Apple make the backlight for the buttons white as well? That would make the new iPod more uniform.

G3 has new features in firmware 2.0...true..but it also has many bugs. And sooner or later, Apple will release the bug free 2.0 to the G1&2 owners and G1&2 owners will have the same features as well.

G3 has rounded edges. G1&2 has square edges...this is just matter of personal taste.

G3 has a docking craddle. Yes..but you have to remove the cover which can get lost very easily. G2 has an attached firewire cover that can be removed if desired.

G1&2 owners can now get the iTrip...G3 owners have to wait.

The only thing I can't really argue with is that G3 owners can get more disk space. All in all, I don't think upgrading from G2 to G3 isn't worth it. I'll wait til G4 comes out.

Zipforia

[vkeks05]

Originally posted by i satellite
The new one requires little plastic protectors that Apple provides two of because they KNOW you will lose at least one. Apple apparently is allowing the large Windows market to govern the design of their connectors.

I'm willing to bet that you'd complain too if they only gave one plastic protector, saying that you'd lose the one so easily they should've gave you two.

[mjeble]

Two weeks before the G3 shipped, I bought the 10 g G2 and loved it. Later I also bought the 10B G3. Hate the new iPod. Gave it to my husband and kept the old perfect one for myself. He keeps asking why he got the "Dumb one". With G3 you absolutely have to use lock or you lose your place with a FF or RW accidental touch. I use it mostly for Audible.

[chinieman2002]

I only prefer the old ones because of the solid buttons abd that hey don't light up to an ugly orange.

[Thumbtwiddler]

...Like the ORANGE on this page? You don't like ORANGE? Oh the pain... the pain...

Actually, it is slightly more red in person. It tends to look more orange in photos.