History of the iPod Classic

The beginning of the iPod Classic line actually dates back to the original iPod released in 2001. Now at this time, Apple was still enjoying the success of their iMac and was looking to follow it up with another hit product, and they put their money on the iPod. A device that was miles ahead of any other music player on the market.

And that's part of the reason why Apple decided to release a portable music player, they saw a huge gap in the industry and recognized it was ripe for disruption. Now I should mention that the first generation iPod wasn’t actually called the iPod classic. It wasn’t until the last generation when Apple finally gave the iPod line the Classic suffix. Now there are a total of six generations of iPod Classic, including several special edition models. And despite the design and functionality differences of every generation, they all had one thing in common - a 1.8 inch hard drive that was incredibly thin and compact. And it was this component that allowed for the first iPod model to be created, because up to that point, there hadn’t been a high-capacity hard drive small enough to fit inside a pocketable device. So the original iPod’s hard drive had a capacity of 5GB, or about 1,000 songs. And we’re going to find out how the iPod went from 1,000 songs in your pocket in 2001, to 32,000 songs in your pocket by 2007.

[WolfiiDog]

I think the iPod Classic has the best design ever made by Apple. That device is gorgeous.

[cmonkey]

They discontinued a $249 device so you'd buy a $1000 device instead. I love my iPod classics, as they are -- like a Kindle -- a device made to do one thing, and do it well.

[rfbftp]

My Runescape account’s name is “iPod” I created it in 2001 and still play the game, I think thats a good milestone to share 😂

[PedroFigs]

I remember when I bought my first iPod in 2004, I was totally stunned by it, it was unbelievable how I could “have” all my CDs with me, make the playlists and quickly change between albums and artists. Then I got a video iPod in 2007 and, again, it was a blast! I remember transferring my South Park episodes to the iPod and being able to watch them while on bus and train rides. Just like the iPhone changed the mobile phones forever, the iPod changed how we listen to music since it was launched. What an amazing device!

[punk_taco]

For all my disappointment with apple over recent years, the iPod classic will stand as probably my favourite apple device. Simple and direct music listening, with plenty of space. Was a real shame it was discontinued. I was lucky enough to find one someone had thrown out in great condition recently and it was so refreshing to go back to a much more basic device where I could really just be with my music and my entire music catalogue at that. On that note, iTunes will stand for me as the greatest music organiser ever. Other programs don't come close and trying to get your muddled up library on to an Android device is so difficult. I'm glad I still have my iPod to rely on.

[irregularmana]

I bought my classic in 07. I still have it till this day but it can barely last more than an hour but god this thing got me through some tough times. I moved to another state on my own, went from living in my parents house to living in a studio apartment in a new town with no family or friends. My ipod and my ps2 (no tv for 6 months) were the only things I owned. Now I have house, kids, married and several devices that play music...still the classic will always hold a special place in my memory.

[madeinbusanjkjm]

I just found my 160GB iPod classic today, I charged it for fun and I was so shocked to see it still works! This was really the best device that ever existed. Nothing nowadays compares to it.

[bsgtrekfan]

My last gen classic saved my life in a way. In 2012 I had a house fire, loosing everything but the cloths on my back. My PC, electronics, cloths EVERYTHING! However...in my glove box was my entire music collection. My music got me though the toughest time in my life and it was a shame to have to put it in my current display case as the battery is now dead. Apple really fucked up discontinuing it as it was the ONLY apple device to not have to use a fucking app or something that wants your $ for everything. My music, my terms. The perfect music player that will be missed.

[RyanMonoxide]

I have every single iPod classic. They all still work. I still use my 2nd gen or my 5th gen daily. I believe this is one of the greatest devices ever to be made. Every new one that came out was impressive for its time. And not to mention everyone drooled over their gorgeous clean design.

[FallophoricDream]

nowadays Apple should made a non-touchscreen iPod like the classic, with flash storage, high quality DAC and wifi/Bluetooth.
We need an ONLY MUSIC-purpose device!!!

[louvegga]

Remember getting the classic 160gb for Christmas. God what a time to be alive lol back in 08 or 9

[castin]

I was absolutely obsessed with getting an 5th gen iPod when I was in middle school when they came out. Like to the point where I was depressed about it.
Looking back at it today still kind of gives me that feeling of lust and envy I had back them. Even though I have a 6th gen iPod that's been sitting in my drawer unused for years.

[zdskillz]

5:10
Say it with me everyone:
*Haitch Pea*

[karlmilton]

I'm still listening to my 60GB 5th gen iPod nearly 20 years later. I've had MBP and other Apple hardware, but nothing compares to the 5th gen iPod. It is one of the absolute best hardware interfaces that Apple has ever produced. I'm terrified to plug it into a computer, but I had it maxed out on songs, so it will forever house that music and the many playlists from all my house parties. I have no idea why, but I used dates in my party playlist names, so I still know the exact parties and people I was around for each, and some of those friends are no longer here (RIP), which makes those memories a bit extra special.

[PicardManeuver]

You forgot the 2nd and final revision of the Classic (6G) released in September 2009 - the thin 160GB version. The ultimate iPod, in my opinion. Still using mine nearly ten years later.

[StevenEveral]

I had the iPod 5th Gen, the first one that could play video. It seems rather quaint now, but having actual video playback on an iPod back in 2005 really was a revelation. It was obviously a revelation that would result in the iPhone about two years later.

[ibgwiraga]

I took My 120gb iPod Classic out after years being unused, it’s still alive, and now I’ve been listening to music with it for days. Battery is still very good. Great product

[ryantoomey]

Best one is the 5.5 Gen because it was the last model with the Wolfson DAC . I still have one and I upgraded it with a 64GB SSD.

[jefgirdler]

Still got my 120 gig. It's been dropped, dunked, washed, and abused and I'll be damned if it isn't STILL kicking. Still use it as a hard drive for all my physical files and as a media input for a few TV shows and such. I love the little thing.

[NotZigza]

I love how something made In 2002 has more storage than my phone which came out in 2017.


EDIT: why does this comment have like 400 likes, it's not even good 🤷‍♂️

Edit 2: this is a bad comment, stop replying lol

Edit 3: please stop