iPOD Battery?

[riodelin]

I am considering the purchase of an iPOD which will cost $500. I am very concerned with the fact that the battery can not be replaced; especially since this is a portable device. Browsing the internet I've read comments from people who say that their battery life has gone from 11-10 hours to 4-5 hours within a year. The iPOD's warranty is only good for a year; other users who have had their iPOD for over a year say that after their warranty ran out, when the battery life started dwindling, the only option offered to them was to buy another iPOD with a $50 discount. This means that replacing the battery will cost $450. I know that there is a firmware that adressed this issue so the battery will last longer; however, batteries do eventually die. I am wondering if those of you who have owned an iPOD for awhile have had similar experiences. Does anyone know if this issue has been addressed with the new iPOD? Is this a legitiment concern? Thanx-in-advance!

 

[blessingx]

The issue was addressed with firmware update 1.2.6. I returned my iPod based on decreased battery life, and the replacement had the same problem, but it hasn't been as issue since the update. Apple really shouldn't have hid the battery issue, but it's a shame the fix isn't more known. Guess it's part of their hiding the problem, can't discuss the solution.

Also there's talk on iPod boards about a $50 battery replacement. Can't find the link at the moment (there or here). Anyone?

 

[Spad]

As Blessingx stated, there is a $50 replacement battery that can be fairly easily installed. But the truth is that the battery will probably last as long as the machine.

I own 5, 20 and, as of today, 30 GB versions. The 5 is about 17 months old (purchased on the initial release date) and still lasts all day on a charge. I don't know how long the battery actually lasts, since I've never depleted it.

These are beautifully crafted, well designed players. IMO, they're worth every penny of their rather stiff price. And I've yet to encounter a dissatisfied iPod owner.

 

[riodelin]

I know that a firmware was issued that addressed the battery life. Regardless of the update, however, a battery is a battery, and it will eventually die. I've had to replace the battery on all of my electronic devices after a period of time - and I was able to do so...

 

[ssblood]

www.ipodbattery.com

 

[riodelin]

I saw a site (http://deep.urbanturban.no:16080/ipod/disassembly/) that illustrated how to dissasemble an iPOD. And "cracking open" the case with a "sharp" instrument seemed like a rather delicate proceedure on a device that costs $500. The site also warns that "this modification is done on your own risk, it will void your iPod's warrianty, and I am not responsible if anything goes wrong. I do not recommend doing this, as you may easily break components inside the iPod and then have to replace the iPod at your own cost."

According to www.ipodbattery.com you also have to unglue the battery from the ipod.

I question the "fairly easy" description.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by riodelin I saw a site (http://deep.urbanturban.no:16080/ipod/disassembly/) that illustrated how to dissasemble an iPOD. And "cracking open" the case with a "sharp" instrument seemed like a rather delicate proceedure on a device that costs $500. The site also warns that "this modification is done on your own risk, it will void your iPod's warrianty, and I am not responsible if anything goes wrong. I do not recommend doing this, as you may easily break components inside the iPod and then have to replace the iPod at your own cost." According to www.ipodbattery.com you also have to unglue the battery from the ipod. I question the "fairly easy" description.

Isn't this being a trifle over cautious? If the iPod is still on warranty Apple will replace the battery. If not, it can be done by the average person. There is no magic involved. The back of the iPod is a just press fit and therefore must be pried apart. The problem was always finding a battery, not installing it.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by riodelin I know that a firmware was issued that addressed the battery life. Regardless of the update, however, a battery is a battery, and it will eventually die. I've had to replace the battery on all of my electronic devices after a period of time - and I was able to do so...

There are many kinds of batteries and not all are created equal. For example, I have a 12 year old wireless telephone in my storage room that operates about as well as it did when new--on the original battery. I have an original RocketBook that is several years old that is still functioning perfectly on the same battery. And I have an "ancient" Apple laptop that still operates on its original battery.

As iPod batteries begin to fail I have no doubt we will quickly find multiple sources in addition to Sony and those listed on the iPod sites.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by Spad As iPod batteries begin to fail I have no doubt we will quickly find multiple sources in addition to Sony and those listed on the iPod sites.

I never thought of it this way, but that's an excellent point. With 700,000 1st and 2nd generation iPods out there, it's a good bet that there will be *multiple* sources of batteries. (Damn... 700,000!)

 

[FrostyMMB]

riodelin, if you're concerned about the internal battery, the iPod may not be for you. There are quite a few alternatives that have replaceable and rechargeable.

Yes, a battery will die eventually. Yes, people have had trouble with their batteries, while plenty have fixed it themselves or gotten it fixed/replaced. If you don't feel comfortable spending $500 on a device with an internal battery, the iPod is simply the wrong choice for you. Yet hundreds of thousands of iPod owners probably don't regret the purchase.

 

[jaskin]

I for one don't. I do not think it's a really difficult to change the battery. At least there's not soldering involved

 

[vegasjlt]

I'm also considering a new ipod & the whole battery issue concerns me too. For such a beautifully designed product i can't believe you have to pop open the case with a sharp instrument! The ipod has new touch controls with no moving parts, but battery issue has yet to be addressed. Every other battery operated piece of electronics i've owned has easy access to change the battery. Just seems strange to me.

 

[jaskin]

I doubt you can integrate a removeable battery and still come out with such a sleek product and also perhaps Apple would want ipod users to keep upgrading every few generations

 

[vegasjlt]

Cell phone companies make "sleek" products with easily accessable batteries. I think you hit it on the head with apple wanting you to upgrade. Which is fine if the new ipod is worth grading to, not just because my battery died. Maybe me & riodelin are making more of this "battery issue" than need be.

 

[Spad]

Quote:

Originally posted by vegasjlt Maybe me & riodelin are making more of this "battery issue" than need be.

I think you're right. The case is simply a press fit. Once separated, the battery is unplugged, the new battery inserted, and the case is pressed back together.

Incidentally, there is a good chance that the battery will outlast the hard drive. The infamous iPod battery "issue" had nothing to do with the actual battery. It occurred with some iPods following a firmware upgrade and was remedied by a subsequent upgrade. The real issue was that it took Apple several months to address the problem.