Dock Hunting: Finding the right dock for your iPod

Posted by Matt Thommes on November 28, 2005

With Christmas around the corner, many iPod owners are contemplating some accessories for their beloved music player. The first thing on most lists is an iPod dock.

Unfortunately, unlike past iPod models (like the iPod Photo), Apple doesn't get rid of their older iPod docks when a newer model comes out. This is because different iPods have different "docking needs" and a single iPod dock can't cover them all (although there is one that almost does). I guess you could say that iPod models advance too fast for the docks to keep up with. So, we still have old docks available.

This presents some confusion for consumers looking to purchase a simple dock for their iPod.

What is a dock?

First, the basics:

A dock is a simple "base" in which the iPod rests and charges at the same time:

Photo of the iPod nano in a dock

This seems like a simple gift option, right? It's a quick "pick up," eh? I mean, how many different dock options can there be?

Plenty.

At this point in time there are, in fact, five different iPod docks, three of which support similar models. There are also dock connector cables, for directly connecting your iPod to your computer, via USB or FireWire.

(Some people only have a USB connector cable, and would like a FireWire connector cable, perhaps because they have an open Firewire slot on their computer, which doesn't get any use. Typically, that would "clear up" a USB slot since almost everything connects via USB.)

iPod technical specs

All these options could cause some confusion amongst Apple holiday shoppers. Pain in the Tech is here to clear up the confusion.

First off, you'll need to know some of your iPod's technical specs. Depending on which model you have (capacity, generation, and color) - that will help determine which dock applies to you. Also, decide what type of connection (USB or FireWire) you'd like to use, in order to connect your iPod to your computer.

Before we go any further, if you have either an iPod Shuffle or an iPod Nano, your choices are limited to only one type of dock (which is featured below). However, every other iPod model will have multiple options.

Capacity

You should know your iPod's capacity, off the top of your head - but if not, you can always check it, through your iPod interface.

Just go to the main menu, on your iPod, and scroll down to the Settings menu option:

Photo of iPod screen: Settings menu option

Once in there, go to the first option - the About menu option:

Photo of iPod screen: About menu option

Here you will see relevant information regarding your iPod. If you look at Capacity, you'll see a number, which represents the total disk space on your iPod:

Photo of iPod screen: total disk space

The iPod in the image above has 18.5 GB of disk space. Typically, Apple advertises their iPods with nice, rounded numbers - such as 20 GB, 40 GB, or 60 GB. Truth be told, those numbers are deceiving, because there's never that much disk space. So this 18.5 GB model is actually the 20 GB model.

The simplest approach is to round the number up to the nearest 10th digit. This will give you your iPod's "advertised capacity."

Generation

It might also help to know what generation your iPod is - that is... the number, in chronological order, of when it was introduced to the market.

As of this date, there are five iPod generations. The latest (5th generation) is the iPod with video support.

If you didn't buy a brand new iPod very recently (the past month or two) - but within the last year, or year and a half - chances are you have a 4th generation model.

It turns out that if you have anything below the 3rd generation model, you might not be able to find a dock that matches your iPod. 1st and 2nd generation models aren't compatible with the current iPod Dock available from Apple.

Dock options chart

Once you know your iPod capacity, and generation, take note of that information, as you decide which dock is compatible with your iPod.

Below is a reference chart that shows each iPod that is currently available, and each dock that supports it.

iPod shuffle iPod nano iPod mini
(4GB, 6GB)		 iPod 3rd
generation		 iPod 4th
generation
(20GB, 40GB,
U2 Special
Edition)		 iPod 4th
generation
with color
(20GB, 30GB,
40GB, 60GB,
U2 Special
Edition)		 iPod 5th
generation
with video
Apple iPod Universal Dock
Apple iPod with color display Dock
Apple iPod Dock (Click Wheel models)
Apple iPod nano Dock
Apple iPod shuffle Dock
Apple iPod Dock Connector to USB 2.0
Apple iPod Dock Connector to FireWire Cable

Things to remember

The two Dock Connectors, at the bottom of the left side, can be used to plug your iPod directly into the computer, or into a dock that is also supported by your iPod.

Accessories available

If you find that your particular iPod is not supported by the dock you want, there is a good chance that an accessory exists that will make it work with the dock you want to use.

Check the Apple Store, under Cables and Docks. There, you'll find all the docks mentioned above, as well as extra accessories, for docking capabilities.

Summary

The majority of iPod owners will be satisfied with Apple's Universal Dock with a USB interface cable. These two options offer the most availability. However, other dock options could help save you either time, or money - depending on your needs. Take a look at all options, before you buy, and hopefully Apple will make this decision simpler in the future.

About the author(s)

Matt Thommes is an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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