.Next to worn out batteries and broken hard drives, the most common malady facing iPods is broken lcd screens. Unlike some other components in iPods, the screens don’t break themselves. A broken screen is always the result of some form of misuse or neglect. There are some iPod models that are much more susceptible to screen damage. These include the 1st generation iPod Nano, and the iPod with video.

…..The 1st generation iPod Nano is a marvel in miniaturization, however that miniaturization came at a cost. The Nano in a departure from its predecessor the Mini, is made of plastic (with the now familiar silver back plate). What the Nano lost in comparison to the Mini is a great deal of resiliency and strength. The Nano, being so thin, and being made with plastic, has a tendency to flex when bent. The tiny, super thin glass LCD screen inside will crack with the slightest flex in the iPod. What we recommend to minimize the likelihood of your iPod breaking is to purchase a strong hard plastic or metal case for your iPod Nano, this will give it the additional support and strength it needs to stand up to daily use, and abuse. iPods with video, are also very susceptible to screen breakage. The main reason for this is the fact that the lcds on iPod videos are much larger than previous iPod models. The larger the screen, the higher the chance of breakage. Commonly we receive iPods that have been in a gym bag, or purse and have come out broken. Things such as women’s makeup, books, keys, anything hard, when knocked against the iPods screen in the right way will break it. Again the best and really only way to help prevent the screen from breaking is to buy a sturdy, high quality case for your iPod. Very, very few of the iPods with broken screens that we have received have been in cases.

…..Moral of this story….a few dollars investment in a high quality case, can save you a lot of money a screen replacement down the line.