Differences between Early-Generation and Newer iPods

Unlike today’s iPod and iPhone models, which work with iTunes on either Windows computers or Macs, early-generation iPods worked only with Macs. These early-generation models also had less features and fewer capabilities than the newer models.

In 2002, Apple introduced the second generation — one version for Windows and another for the Mac, using the same design for both. For the third generation (2003), Apple changed the design once again.

Third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation iPods — as well as offshoots, such as iPod mini, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle — work with either Windows or Mac and come in a variety of hard drive or flash memory sizes. By design, you can hold an iPod in your hand while you thumb the scroll wheel (a generic term for scroll wheel, scroll pad, touch wheel, or click wheel). The LCD screen on full-size models offers backlighting so that you can see it in the dark. The iPhone and iPod touch let you tap the sensitive display with your finger to select items and functions, and flick with your finger to scroll or move the display.

For a nifty chart that shows the differences between iPod models, see the Identifying iPod Models page on the Apple iPod Web site.