iPod touch For 2G Touch iOS 3.1.3 or 4.2.2?

[Duffinator]

I have a 2G Touch and still have iOS 3.1.3 on it. I never upgraded to 4.xx because at the time people were complaining that the newer OS was slower. My 10 year old son is now using it and wants to run the latest games. He uses it mostly for games, music, and TextPlus. If I upgrade the OS to run newer games will the Touch run slower overall? Also will he be able to run most of the newer games like The Impossible Test on 4.2.2? TIA

 

[Duffinator]

Wow 330+ views and nobody has an opinion on this OS? Come on don't be shy, let me know what you think.

 

[Resplendent]

While 4.2.1 may run a bit slower, it's worth it just for folders if you have a lot of apps. I used it for months on my 2G without much issue.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Well that's Macrumors for you.

Anways. You should without a doubt upgrade that iPod to 4.2.1. It didn't have the performance problems that the iPhone 3G did as the processor was clocked around 50Mhz more. The device should handle all of your sons tasks minus gaming as the second generation iPod Touch used a PowerVR MBX Lite which in terms of graphical horsepower is not that much. Smaller games such as Angry Birds or Cut The Rope will play fine, but more 3D demanding games will either not be supported by the device at all or the frame rate will have considerable lag.

It's a free update none the less and so long as your device is an MB model you can downgrade back to 3.1.3 if you do not see the update as a gain.

 

[frank.deale]

I'm in the same position as you. Have refused to update because of the many discussions indicating that the update bricked the iPod and that you could not reverse course. It would be nice to have a greater selection of updated apps but my touch works like a charm charm after 3 years and I don't want to mess it up.

 

[batting1000]

I suggest updating. I had the 2G myself awhile ago. Most apps no longer support the 3.1.3 software, and some don't even support the 4.2.1 software either. Most games may run a bit slow on the 2G, but it's nothing major. Of course you can run Infinity Blade or any of that, but simple games should work just fine.

 

[Duffinator]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll update the software and give it a go. He's running a lot of the simplier apps/games but like stated many of those are not supported on 3.1.3.

I'll report back with an update of our results.