How to Tell If You Are Buying an Authentic iPod
Authentic iPods sold in stores can cost you hundreds of dollars regardless of which version of the portable media device you purchase. As a way to save money, you may have considered purchasing an iPod from an online store or a street vendor. One must be very careful when looking for discounts on iPods, however, as there are numerous fake iPods that will not work as well as the real deal. Knowing what to look for can help you tell if the iPod is authentic.
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Instructions
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1
Turn the iPod on. The Apple logo and only the Apple logo should appear on the screen of the iPod (if the iPod has a screen). If anything else, such as the word "iPod" appears, the iPod is not authentic.
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2
Know where the USB and headphones ports are located on that particular brand of iPod. Fake iPods may have these two things misplaced on the device.
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3
Make sure that the wheel or buttons on the iPod actually control the device. Some iPods that are not authentic will have a wheel but the wheel is simply for show and does not cycle through the songs on the iPod.
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4
Look at the menu items on the screen of the iPod. On authentic iPods, the menu items line up on the far left of the screen. On some fake iPods, however, the menu items may be slightly off.
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5
Find out if the device has any "special features." Many authentic iPods do not come with FM radio (except for the newest Nano) or the ability to make a voice recording (the iPod touch needs special headphones that include a microphone). An iPod claiming to have these capabilities is a fake.
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Plug the iPod into a computer and attempt to sync it with the iTunes software. A fake iPod will act as an MP3 player and will not sync with the iTunes software as an authentic iPod would.
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Tips & Warnings
Only buy iPods from trustworthy stores or online sellers that offer warranties on the device. This can help prevent you from getting ripped off by a person selling fake iPods.
The price of the iPod can help you tell if the iPod is fake. If you find an iPod that normally sells for $199 in stores for $49 online, the device is probably not authentic.
