iPod PP5020 2005

The Apple iPod photo (30 GB) was effectively the same as the previously introduced iPod photo (40/60) but featured a thinner housing and a smaller capacity hard drive.

It was equipped with a 30 GB 4200 RPM ATA-66 hard drive, capable of holding "up to" 7,500 songs in "128-Kbps AAC format" and as many as 25,000 photos in iPod viewable format.

Although Apple classified it as part of the iPod (4th Gen) series—sharing the "ClickWheel" and basic case design—it had a two-inch diagonal 65,536-color LCD with an LED backlight, just like the earlier iPod photo model.

It supported viewing photos, optionally with music, on the internal display or on a TV/projector using an AV cable (sold separately, along with the dock). It offered up to 15 hours of music and 5 hours of slideshows, though its skip protection was reduced to 17 minutes compared to the iPod (4G).

Unlike the first revision of the original iPod photo, the 30 GB model could immediately display many image types transferred via the optional iPod Camera Connector (US$29).

This 30GB version of the iPod photo was received as a welcome refinement that made the color-screen experience more accessible. Its key advantage was a thinner and lighter body compared to the initial 40GB and 60GB models, making it more portable while retaining the same celebrated photo and album art viewing capabilities. [1] The lower price point, combined with a still-generous 30GB capacity, was a major point of praise, striking a better balance between features and cost for the average consumer. Furthermore, this model streamlined the photo transfer process, allowing for immediate viewing of images from a digital camera via the optional connector, an improvement over the earliest versions. It was seen as a smart move that effectively positioned the color iPod as a mainstream product rather than a niche, high-end device.