What iPod do I want as a test machine?

Target Platforms Mobile
1

I have an iPad, and I’m planning on picking up a 4th gen iPod Touch to test the retina display on, but I’m thinking I really need an older machine to test performance. As I understand it now, because of Apple’s restrictions, the App store is now essentially 3rd generation and above. So what model do I want to pick up to make sure that things are fast enough for pretty much all 3rd gen users?

I understand that the 8GB iPod Touch 3rd Gen is very much inferior to the 32 and 64GB models, and is often referred to as more of a 2nd gen. On the other hand, I also understand that the iPhone 3rd gens are not as fast as the 32 and 64GB 3rd gen iTouches. So I’m not really sure whether the 8GB 3rd gen is going back a little too far, or if the 32GB is not going to push me to optimize enough.

What are others using to gauge 3rd gen performance and compatibility?

2

The 8GB “3rd” gen touch is the same as the 2nd gen. Of which there are tens of millions in use, so it’s probably not such a good idea to ignore. The 2nd gen touch is quite a bit faster than the 2nd iPhone, but the 3rd gen of both are similar.

–Eric

3

Thanks for the information, Eric. So if you had to pick one, you’d tend towards the 8GB 3rd Gen (which is really a second gen) ?

4

Yep.

–Eric