iPod History

iPod 3rd Generation (2003): History and Specs

Launch alongside the iTunes Music Store

The third-generation iPod was announced on 28 April 2003, the same day Apple opened the iTunes Music Store. Three models went on sale in the United States on 2 May 2003: 10 GB for US$299, 15 GB for US$399 and 30 GB for US$499, the largest holding up to 7,500 songs. Apple described the new case as lighter and thinner than two CDs, and rated the battery at more than eight hours of continuous music.

iPod (3rd generation), announced 28 April 2003: 10–40 GB, 2-inch screen, up to 8 hours of music, 158 g. Timeline of the 8 Full-size iPod and iPod classic versions with this one highlighted.
iPod (3rd generation) at a glance, and its place among the Full-size iPod and iPod classic versions.

Design and controls

Apple's specifications list a depth of 0.62 inch and a weight of 5.6 ounces (158 g) for the 10, 15 and 20 GB models, and 0.73 inch and 6.2 ounces (176 g) for the 30 and 40 GB models. A touch-sensitive wheel had already appeared on the second generation in 2002; the third generation moved the four buttons into a row between the screen and the wheel and made them touch-sensitive and backlit, so the controls had no moving parts. The FireWire port gave way to a proprietary 30-pin Dock Connector, and a dock was included with the 15 and 30 GB models. A wired remote connector sat beside the headphone jack. The 2-inch display kept its 160 × 128 resolution, and the battery changed to a 630 mAh lithium-ion cell.

Mac and Windows

For the first time the same model worked with both Mac and Windows computers. Windows Me, 2000 and XP were supported over FireWire or USB 2.0; high-speed USB 2.0 syncing arrived in June 2003 through a free software update and a US$19 cable. Charging still ran through FireWire. Windows users at first managed their music with MUSICMATCH Jukebox, until iTunes for Windows was released on 16 October 2003.

Capacity changes and successor

On 8 September 2003 Apple replaced the 15 and 30 GB models with 20 and 40 GB versions at the same US$399 and US$499 prices, keeping the 10 GB model at US$299; the 40 GB model held up to 10,000 songs. On 6 January 2004 a 15 GB model at US$299 took the 10 GB model's place, and Apple reported that more than two million iPods had been sold since the line's introduction. The fourth-generation iPod, with the Click Wheel, replaced this design on 19 July 2004.

Specifications

Announced 28 April 2003; on sale 2 May 2003
Launch price (US) US$299 (10 GB), US$399 (15 GB), US$499 (30 GB)
Capacity 10, 15 or 30 GB hard drive at launch; 20 and 40 GB from 8 September 2003 — up to 10,000 songs
Display 2-inch monochrome LCD, 160 × 128 pixels
Controls Touch wheel with four touch-sensitive, backlit buttons in a row above it
Battery Up to 8 hours of music
Connectors 30-pin dock connector, remote connector, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Size 104 × 61 × 15.7 mm (4.1 × 2.4 × 0.62 in); 30 and 40 GB: 18.5 mm (0.73 in) deep
Weight 158 g (5.6 oz); 30 and 40 GB: 176 g (6.2 oz)
Works with Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later; Windows Me, 2000 or XP
Model number A1040

Figures from Apple's published technical specifications. Where Apple lists only inches and ounces, metric values are converted and rounded.

How to identify it

  • Four buttons sit in a row between the screen and the wheel.
  • A dock connector on the bottom and no FireWire port on top.
  • Unlike later dock-connector iPods, it has a touch wheel rather than a Click Wheel.
  • Model number A1040.

Where to find the model number and serial number: how to identify a used iPod.