Apple iPod nano (3G/Fat) 4 GB, 8 GB Specs (MA978LL/A*)
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The Apple iPod nano (Third Generation) -- affectionately dubbed the "fat" iPod by users referring to its rather squat proportions -- looks more like a smaller version of the iPod classic than the sequel to the iPod nano (2G) that it replaced. It uses either 4 GB or 8 GB of flash memory, capable of supporting 1000 or 2000 songs, 3500 or 7000 photos, and 4 hours or 8 hours of video, respectively. The 4 GB model was offered only in silver, and the 8 GB models were offered in silver, light blue, light green, black, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, as well as pink (starting January 22, 2008). All have a chromed stainless steel back.
Compared to the iPod nano (2G) models, the most notable enhancements are a larger 2-inch (diagonal) color LCD display with a blue-white LED backlight (320x240, 204 ppi), support for video on the internal display, and video out (via the dock). Battery life for music is an unchanged 24 hours.
The software is substantially improved, with "MacOS X Leopard" inspired interface enhancements derived from the version of OS X used by the iPhone -- including a Cover Flow option for selecting albums. Three games were bundled as well -- iQuiz, Klondike, and Vortex.
Also see: What are the differences between the third generation iPod nano models? What are the differences between these models and the models they replaced?
Buy This iPod -- and all other new & used iPods -- at site sponsor PowerMax!
Upgrade This iPod at site sponsor Other World Computing. Batteries & accessories!
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
September 5, 2007* |
Discontinued Date: |
September 9, 2008 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
*Pink model added to the lineup on January 22, 2008. |
| Processor Type: |
Samsung ARM* |
Processor Speed: |
N/A |
| Details: |
*Apple provides no information on the processor used in the iPod nano (3G) models, but each uses an Apple branded processor, believed to be a Samsung ARM. For more information, please refer to the disassembly "guide" from the always excellent iFixIt. |
| Onboard RAM: |
N/A |
Storage Capacity: |
4 GB, 8 GB |
| Details: |
4 GB available in silver, 8 GB in silver, light blue, aqua, red, black, and starting January 22, 2008, pink. |
| Song Capacity: |
1000 or 2000 |
Photo Capacity: |
3,500 or 7,000 |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the 4 GB model (silver only) can hold "up to" 1000 songs and the 8 GB models can hold "up to" 2000 songs in "128-Kbps AAC format". Likewise, the 4 GB model can hold as many as 3,500 photos and 4 hours of video and the 8 GB models can hold as many as 7,000 photos and 8 hours of video. |
| USB Support: |
Sync & Charge |
Firewire Support: |
Charge Only |
| Details: |
The iPod nano (3G) models are capable of charging and syncing by USB via the dock connector. It also can charge, but not sync via Firewire "400". |
| Connectivity: |
USB, Audio* |
Ports: |
Dock, Headphone** |
| Details: |
*Unlike the iPod 5G models, the iPod nano (3G) models do not support video out via the headphone jack, they only provide video out via the dock connector. Annoyingly, video out is only available while using an Apple cable, Apple dock, or another accessory with an "Apple Authentication" chip. |
| Case Type: |
Handheld |
Form Factor: |
iPod nano (3G) |
| Details: |
The iPod nano (3G) models use a case design that has more in common with the iPod classic (6G) models than the previous iPod nano (2G) devices -- with an anodized aluminum front and a chromed stainless steel back -- rather than an all aluminum case. |
| Housing Color: |
Colors* |
Controller: |
"ClickWheel" |
| Details: |
Available in a two-tone housing with either a silver, light blue, light green, red, black -- or starting January 22, 2008, pink, anodized aluminum front and a chromed stainless steel back. |
| Built-in Display: |
2" LCD |
Display Resolution: |
320x240* |
| Details: |
The iPod nano (3G) models have a "2-inch (diagonal) color LCD [display] with blue-white LED backlight".
*320-by-240-pixel resolution display at 204 pixels per inch. The iPod nano (3G) models are capable of displaying video on an external display at 640x480. |
| Battery Type: |
Lithium Ion |
Battery Life (Music): |
24 Hours |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the iPod nano (3G) provides "up to" 24 hours of music playback.
Site sponsor Other World Computing has replacement batteries that are higher capacity than the stock models as well as cases, headphones, speakers, and other accessories. |
| Battery Life (Photos): |
N/A |
Battery Life (Video): |
5 Hours |
| Details: |
The iPod nano (3G) provides "up to" 5 hours of video playback. Apple provides no information regarding the battery life for photo slideshows. |
| Full-Charge Time: |
"About 3 Hours" |
Apple Order No: |
MA978LL/A* |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the iPod nano (3G) models charge completely in "about 3 hours" and also will "fast charge" in 1.5 hours to 80% capacity.
*MA978LL/A is for the 4 GB iPod nano (3G) in silver. The 8 GB model is available in silver (MA980LL/A), light blue (MB249LL/A), aqua (MB253LL/A), black (MB261LL/A), and pink (MB453LL/A), as well a as (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. |
| Apple Subfamily: |
iPod nano 3G |
Apple Model No: |
A1236 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Dimensions: |
2.75 x 2.06 x 0.26 |
Avg. Weight: |
1.74 ounces |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth (69.8 mm x 52.3 mm x 6.5 mm, 49.2 grams). |
| Mac Support: |
MacOS X 10.4.8 |
Windows Support: |
Windows Vista/XP SP2 |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this iPod is compatible with a "Macintosh computer with a USB 2.0 port, MacOS X 10.4.8 or later, and iTunes 7.4 or later."
It is compatible with a "PC with USB 2.0, Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later, and iTunes 7.4 or later." |
| Audio Support: |
Apple reports that the iPod nano (3G) models support "AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF." |
| Photo Support: |
The iPod nano (3G) models sync iPod-viewable photos in "JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), and PNG formats". |
| Video Support: |
Apple reports that the iPod nano (3G) models support "H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats." |
| Incl. Accessories: |
Shipped with "earphones, USB cable, [and] dock adapter." |
| Original Price: |
US$149, US$199 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$70-US$100 |
| Details: |
The silver 4 GB iPod nano (3G) model originally was offered for US$149 (MA978LL/A). The 8 GB models -- available in silver (MA980LL/A), light blue (MB249LL/A), light green (MB253LL/A), pink (MB453LL/A), and black (MB261LL/A) as well a as (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition -- were priced at US$199.
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
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