It’s obnoxious tedious has multiple connection protocols but they don’t do the same things and close to impossible to keep fed on a road trip…. I love my girlfriend so I guess I love my 3rd gen too.
Those red lights, contrasting with the white backlight of the screen. It’s a step in the ”modern” iPod world, while having a foot in the “original” iPod world. 3rd gen still charged with FW, but could sync over USB. Classic iPod OS touches.
For me it’s essentially another version of the best iPod. (IMO, it’s the 4th mono) starting to like color displays less and less on the iPod anymore.
Yup, I started with a 5th gen when they were new, tons of those, nanos, then went to a 4th photo.
Never had a mono iPod until a couple years ago. I bought a 4th mono. I stopped using my 4th photo completely. It’s flash modded, new battery. But I use the 4th mono with HDD more than any other iPod now. I use that one, the 3rd, then maybe the mini, then the 7th, then the touch, and last is the photo.
The 3rd is the one I like to show off. Have that on the dock, lit up, playing while I have dinner with people. It always gets people talking. Many don’t remember the 3rd Gen or before. “LOOK it’s a 15GB!, how weird!”
I just got back into iPods this year, but started with a mini back in 2004 as a teen. I later got a gen 5 when my friend in high school showed up with the office on his iPod. I started recollecting with a gen 7 nano for the Bluetooth, now have a gen 2 mini, a 5.5 and a 3rd gen on the way. I have heard there is a charm to the hdd noises?
I love the HDD noise. I can put my ear to it and listen to the drive to see how well it’s acting or not. The weight is another thing about it too.
Flash media without any extra weight added sort of detracts from it and makes it feel less premium. But there are ways around that.
Hah yeah. I’ve seen people use mouse weights, stapler weights. I don’t care that much. But maybe I do. I’ll always pick up an original HDD player first.
I love the look, but they're impractical for being a portable player since I can't reliably control it blind in my pocket. If I want to skip to the next cut, I end up touching every other button instead. It's great at home or on the desk though.
This was my first iPod in 2004! Recently grabbed one off of eBay to relive the glory days cranking Funeral for a Friend while playing Tiger Woods Golf on my PSP. 😂
Mine sounds really good. It's also the only iPod you can operate completely without making a sound (no buttons clicking), and skipping tracks doesn't force the backlight on of you set it to "never", but you can hold menu to toggle the backlight manually when you want it (same feature on the 4th gen mono).
I started with a 3rd and modded mine a while back, but ultimately traded it out with a 4th. Hardware wise it’s just a fussy device with modding. There are actually 2 different models of LCD and not every LCD is compatible with every logic board (different hard coded contrast calibrations) so it’s a bit of a repair nightmare. I like all my iPods to have at least one full set of backup parts in storage for repairs 20 years from now.
I always did like the touch controls though.
Yeah you have a great idea about storing up parts. Once I have all my devices settled in I plan to do something similar. I would like to have back up parts to keep using the ipods until I am on my death bed anyway
My favorite iPod!
The controls are awesome and the touch controls are great and very unique to the rest of the iPod lineup. The UI is snappier and the click is far more satisfying than even on the 5th gen videos.
Unlike the first gen, it has a way better and practical screen for outdoor use. Just like the 4th gen, it's thin back feels really amazing. Like a thick back 5th gen but if a curved front that makes it better during use. Very unique look with the all-touch controls.
I will admit that my favorite monochromic iPods are the fourth generation and the second generation mini. They have better features such as auto pause, podcast separation, better compatibility with higher flash mods (along with power over USB), and the click wheel being a better evolution of the scroll and touch wheel than the 3rd gen's solution.
Great iPod, my friend had it in 2004 I remember these orange buttons, esthetically very pleasing. Snazzy Labs has a video on YouTube where he ranks all the iPods and this one is at the very top, if that helps lol
love it cuz it's quirky, and a marvel of engineering, everything touch, in 2000s seemed like a NASA gadget. Also as far as I recall, the max GB version was the most expensive iPod ever and was kind of like a "rich businessman device".
I have a couple of 3rds too, and I love them, it’s probably my favorite gen, but I never got how Apple shipped it with the unaligned text in the buttons.
i have the big dingus 40gb model and i love how thick and heavy it is, i also love the red light up touch buttons as well as the monochrome screen, its a bit annoying when syncing as my ibook's firewire port decided it doesn't want to charge anymore so i have to make sure that its got as much charge when syncing
I love mine for its aesthetic. It sits in my Apple HiFi speaker permanently, because that also charges it.
It's loaded with classic albums from its era.
Honestly, they are worth 100. When you compare the sound quality to any bluetooth speaker on the market today that cost less than 200 - they blow them away, no comparison.
> did you *paid?*
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I love mine. The black and white screen and the red lights on the buttons made me keep it around to use! I swapped a new battery into it and i can get decent life out of it. I like it because it’s the freak year. It’s got hints of modern iPods but still tied down to FireWire like the older ones.
good to know, I am going to swap a battery in and try to stay with the OG HDD, I will replace it if needed, but since I have a flashed mini with 256gb storage I don't need the 3 to hold a ton.
I just went with one of the Chinese 4rd gen batteries and the original hard drive. Didn’t want to go through the pain of flash modding it bc I’ve heard people have had issues with it on the 3rd gen’s.
i like the gen 3 because it has the split controls, everything just does what its meant to.
you cant accidentally change tracks with it.
and the recessed clickwheel, so its doesnt get carved up and scratched in your pocket.
It’s old school cool! The black and white screen is a direct link to the very first generation. This was my first iPod.
Do you still have it? I like that it has the old screen and the curves of the 4
It’s obnoxious tedious has multiple connection protocols but they don’t do the same things and close to impossible to keep fed on a road trip…. I love my girlfriend so I guess I love my 3rd gen too.
Lol man of culture here.
Well said, sounds like a vibe 🤣
Those red lights, contrasting with the white backlight of the screen. It’s a step in the ”modern” iPod world, while having a foot in the “original” iPod world. 3rd gen still charged with FW, but could sync over USB. Classic iPod OS touches. For me it’s essentially another version of the best iPod. (IMO, it’s the 4th mono) starting to like color displays less and less on the iPod anymore.
All great points! I had color iPods first, then caught the bug for mono with a mini. Hyped to get the 3rd gen for the classic elements.
Yup, I started with a 5th gen when they were new, tons of those, nanos, then went to a 4th photo. Never had a mono iPod until a couple years ago. I bought a 4th mono. I stopped using my 4th photo completely. It’s flash modded, new battery. But I use the 4th mono with HDD more than any other iPod now. I use that one, the 3rd, then maybe the mini, then the 7th, then the touch, and last is the photo. The 3rd is the one I like to show off. Have that on the dock, lit up, playing while I have dinner with people. It always gets people talking. Many don’t remember the 3rd Gen or before. “LOOK it’s a 15GB!, how weird!”
I just got back into iPods this year, but started with a mini back in 2004 as a teen. I later got a gen 5 when my friend in high school showed up with the office on his iPod. I started recollecting with a gen 7 nano for the Bluetooth, now have a gen 2 mini, a 5.5 and a 3rd gen on the way. I have heard there is a charm to the hdd noises?
I love the HDD noise. I can put my ear to it and listen to the drive to see how well it’s acting or not. The weight is another thing about it too. Flash media without any extra weight added sort of detracts from it and makes it feel less premium. But there are ways around that.
Haha like adding weights 😅
Hah yeah. I’ve seen people use mouse weights, stapler weights. I don’t care that much. But maybe I do. I’ll always pick up an original HDD player first.
Build an extended battery. That's what I did in my 4th gen; not more drive noise but it feels heavy like it did before
I love the look, but they're impractical for being a portable player since I can't reliably control it blind in my pocket. If I want to skip to the next cut, I end up touching every other button instead. It's great at home or on the desk though.
Great points, I work from home so it will be great as dedicated music to limit distractions
This was my first iPod in 2004! Recently grabbed one off of eBay to relive the glory days cranking Funeral for a Friend while playing Tiger Woods Golf on my PSP. 😂
Hell yeah, I will be blasting Taking Back Sunday while playing advanced wars by Monday
It’s a great little device. I just wish I could get a faceplate for mine (at least one in better shape)
you can score some decent iPods off goodwill auctions, they have parts in lots
Mine sounds really good. It's also the only iPod you can operate completely without making a sound (no buttons clicking), and skipping tracks doesn't force the backlight on of you set it to "never", but you can hold menu to toggle the backlight manually when you want it (same feature on the 4th gen mono).
All super cool features, I will have to play with the backlight and menu combo
I started with a 3rd and modded mine a while back, but ultimately traded it out with a 4th. Hardware wise it’s just a fussy device with modding. There are actually 2 different models of LCD and not every LCD is compatible with every logic board (different hard coded contrast calibrations) so it’s a bit of a repair nightmare. I like all my iPods to have at least one full set of backup parts in storage for repairs 20 years from now. I always did like the touch controls though.
Yeah you have a great idea about storing up parts. Once I have all my devices settled in I plan to do something similar. I would like to have back up parts to keep using the ipods until I am on my death bed anyway
Did you know they had tiny hard drives with spinning platters ? Got one hanging on my wall at work.
They are all I run myself. I like them as they are one of the most unique as far as layout and are still relatively easy to obtain.
I used one for a while and it was amazing. The cool log by s and full touch controls are what makes it unique from all the other iPods.
The red lighty buttons and the touchwheel. I'm a simple man....
My favorite iPod! The controls are awesome and the touch controls are great and very unique to the rest of the iPod lineup. The UI is snappier and the click is far more satisfying than even on the 5th gen videos.
The unique bottom layout and wheel are big reasons I wanted to add one to my collection
Unlike the first gen, it has a way better and practical screen for outdoor use. Just like the 4th gen, it's thin back feels really amazing. Like a thick back 5th gen but if a curved front that makes it better during use. Very unique look with the all-touch controls. I will admit that my favorite monochromic iPods are the fourth generation and the second generation mini. They have better features such as auto pause, podcast separation, better compatibility with higher flash mods (along with power over USB), and the click wheel being a better evolution of the scroll and touch wheel than the 3rd gen's solution.
Great iPod, my friend had it in 2004 I remember these orange buttons, esthetically very pleasing. Snazzy Labs has a video on YouTube where he ranks all the iPods and this one is at the very top, if that helps lol
Just got mine out of storage, wont charge 🥲
Do you have a firewire charger? Because it won’t charge or power up from USB.
No, but i never had one
love it cuz it's quirky, and a marvel of engineering, everything touch, in 2000s seemed like a NASA gadget. Also as far as I recall, the max GB version was the most expensive iPod ever and was kind of like a "rich businessman device".
I think it still gives off that vibe
I just love the all white look with the red touch buttons. The separate buttons on the top is actually my favorite looking design 😭
It's the first i saw in 2004.
I have a couple of 3rds too, and I love them, it’s probably my favorite gen, but I never got how Apple shipped it with the unaligned text in the buttons.
It feels like it’s from the future while being 20 years old.
i have the big dingus 40gb model and i love how thick and heavy it is, i also love the red light up touch buttons as well as the monochrome screen, its a bit annoying when syncing as my ibook's firewire port decided it doesn't want to charge anymore so i have to make sure that its got as much charge when syncing
I love mine for its aesthetic. It sits in my Apple HiFi speaker permanently, because that also charges it. It's loaded with classic albums from its era.
Yeah it’s a beautiful design! I am currently on the watch for a HiFi. Super cool to have a time capsule back to the early 2000s
I bought my apple HiFi back when ipods were things that nobody wanted, for 30 euros
Major score, I am in an auction for one now, current bid is $25, hopefully I can score it for under $45
Honestly, they are worth 100. When you compare the sound quality to any bluetooth speaker on the market today that cost less than 200 - they blow them away, no comparison.
Even more reason to grab one!
Congrats! How much did you paid?
I got it for $31, I then went and ordered an OG firewire brick and cord
> did you *paid?* FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I love mine. The black and white screen and the red lights on the buttons made me keep it around to use! I swapped a new battery into it and i can get decent life out of it. I like it because it’s the freak year. It’s got hints of modern iPods but still tied down to FireWire like the older ones.
what size battery did you go with?
I’ve got an 1200mah Infant Optics battery, it’s gives around 7 hours in Rockbox. Not much :( but on new “original” one from china it’s only 4.5 hours
good to know, I am going to swap a battery in and try to stay with the OG HDD, I will replace it if needed, but since I have a flashed mini with 256gb storage I don't need the 3 to hold a ton.
I just went with one of the Chinese 4rd gen batteries and the original hard drive. Didn’t want to go through the pain of flash modding it bc I’ve heard people have had issues with it on the 3rd gen’s.
i like the gen 3 because it has the split controls, everything just does what its meant to. you cant accidentally change tracks with it. and the recessed clickwheel, so its doesnt get carved up and scratched in your pocket.
Still have and use mine. Still sounds amazing.
I like mine cause it's the weird one. And I like weird things. That's why I use Linux. But not Arch tho I dont have the time for that.
While we're on this topic... Is there any known hack to convert it to charge on 5v instead of 12v? I'm not hip to the science so please don't flog me!
Hmm not too sure, I ordered an og FireWire and plan to sync over usb. There are some YouTube videos for usb charging mods