Problem free iPod touch models, now shipping
For those of you who may still be worried about getting a bad iPod touch, that is probably no longer the case. According to several forum posts, iPod touch units manufactured in week 38 do not have any problems.
You may have been aware that previous touch iPods were shipping with faulty screens, due to a problem with the anti-reflective coating process, dead pixels and even headphone hiss. Even some new iPhones have been shipping with bad screens but that is another issue.
Apple seems to have rectified all its problems in the iPod touch manufacturing process and is now shipping problem-free units. To make sure the iPod touch you are going to buy is problem free, simply check the serial number.
The Mac Rumors forum says if the serial number is 9C738xxxx then the iPod will be good, faulty iPods were shipping with serial numbers 9C737xxxx. Also, Macy Gray is pictured on iPods manufactured in week 38, though, that is not always the case. The only sure fire way to make sure is to check the serial number.
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September 22nd, 2007
Thanks for the info on the problem free iPod touch units. Any word on whether Apple is getting the faulty units off store shelves? I have one on order and I’m hoping it will be ok. I’ve also heard that there’s a restocking fee if your iPod touch is faulty – which would suck as it’s Apple’s fault.
September 22nd, 2007
It depends on your situation… Apple is not pulling the faulty models (to the best of my knowledge) BUT if you do have a problem they will at least do one in store swap for you if it does have a problem.
If you do decide to return it after you opened it, there is a restocking fee but return it unopened and I do not think there is a restocking fee.
Best way is to just check the serial number, it’s a gamble with the week 37 models but all the week 38 models appear to be winners.
September 22nd, 2007
sad to say I exchanged my faulty iPod touch for a new one and it still has the faulty dark screen. Suprisingly It has the 9c738 serial number do obviously apple has not fixed the problem. Either that or the iPod touch just has a shitty quality screen and thus they are all like this.
September 22nd, 2007
They all can’t be like this because mine is fine, I lost the link to another review that received two, both of which were fine (I want to say it was either PC World or PC Mag).
It’s not really the screen, it’s the fact that some may still be slipping through with the faulty AR coating application.
Or maybe Apple just makes sure that tech sites get the best units, conspiracy is unlikely but it was suggested to me.
September 24th, 2007
This is great news. Now I won’t have to worry about receiving a bad ipod touch. Thanks for the update :)
September 24th, 2007
ok, just got mine (in New Zealand) which has a serial number thus;
1A737EA4W4N
so what does this mean? any way i can check if this is a goodie or not?
September 25th, 2007
Hey, http://www.freeappleipodtouch.com is giving out free iPod Touch and iPhones!
September 26th, 2007
I hope to get an ipod touch soon :)
September 27th, 2007
Just got my touch in the mail and it has a serial number starting with 1B738. Screen looks ok to me but I’m paranoid after reading all the fuss this week. Are the bad screens unmistakably awful?
September 29th, 2007
Sweet. I got a week 38 at Best Buy last week. It has a perfect, bright screen with 100% working pixels. So the week 38 rumor still holds true.
As for the dark screen problem; are you people sure you don’t have the auto-brightness feature on? I’ve noticed that if you are using the ipod touch in a dark room (and sometimes in a room with lights on), the brightness turns down automatically.
November 4th, 2007
Just got my ipod touch 16gb. I downloaded itunes as it says in the manual, then it says you have to plug it in to the computer. I did that and it says I have to restore it so I did that i restored it but then it said that it hadn´t restored due to internal problems.It just doesn´t work!! By the way my serial number is 9c739xxx
March 21st, 2008
Iwant to have an Ipod touch for free
April 23rd, 2008
haha cool hopefully i can get my iPod touch for free from http://www.want-it-free.co.uk/ :)
August 29th, 2008
i have been waiting 3 weeks for a new itouch because mine was faulty. got stuck on the reboot process. they haven’t said anything about a restock fee…do i have to pay this? that sucks,but it was a free one with purchase of new imac. should have known i should be so lucky.