mp3 Player Recommendations

[Paul]

I'm finally taking the plunge and getting one of these things in a couple weeks or so. Here are the things I know:

1. I don't want an iPod. The mandatory use of iTunes to load it is a deal-breaker, but it also seems that most people I know who own one have had problems with them (from the very minor to the very severe).

2. I want one with a microdrive (4-6gb), and with a long battery life.

3. I don't really want to spend more than $200-225 if I can.

Taking all these factors into consideration, I've narrowed down my choices to the Creative ZEN Micro or the Rio Carbon 5 Pearl. Anyone around here have experience with either of these? Care to suggest an alternate?

[Lutherface]

Is this something new? There are a variety of programs you can use to load ipod...considering that I still have Windows ME itunes isn't even an option.

[Paul]

You can load iPod with things other than iTunes? Interesting. I hadn't heard or read that anywhere before. I thought it was an A+B=C kind of thing.

[9000]

yeah, you can load an ipod with other software. musicmatch is an alternative, but it really blows hard. i really don't mind itunes all that much.

[Paul]

Well, even with this new bit of info, I still think I'm going with the Rio Carbon. The fucker has a 20-hr battery!

[johansen smith]

what, prey tell, is wrong with iTunes?

[Paul]

Maybe my processor's slow, but it seems to take all day to load up and it loves to organize my mp3s in a way I don't want them organized.

[johansen smith]

you can organize your mp3s in whatever way you like in iTunes, you just have to click the appropriate fashion. I find it so much easier and user friendly than any other of my options, but then again I'm already on a Mac so maybe I'm just used to how they run/look?

[Paul]

That could be it. I'm not anti-Mac/Apple. But I'm set in my PC ways.

[peterson]

if its not to late i'll recommend the dell pocket dj. its shaped like an ipod and holds 5gb. i just got one and its great and works with media player.

[earl grey]

coming to this one very late - i'm definitely a PC person, but i wholeheartedly recommend the ipod. intuitive user interface, excellent design, and the operating system is quite stable. i've known ppl to have other MP3 players crash on them after 8-10 months ... i've had my ipod for 2.5 years now without a problem. battery life is a concern, but one that i think they've addressed with the latest generation. and as for itunes, there are definitely other programs you can use (check download.com?), tho i think itunes is fine. i use it only for my ipod, so i don't really mind its other quirks so much. (i do my listening exclusively in winamp.)

[Lutherface]

Earl,
I recieved a notice in the mail that someone sued apple over faulty batteries and those with generation 1-3 ipod owner may be owed battery replacement by apple. may be worth looking into.

[Paul]

I ended up going with the 6gb Rio Carbon Pearl. By crikey, the thing is awesome! Sounds great, the controls are very intuitive (I haven't even had to read the instructions once), and the loading software is pretty lean and easy.

The real test will come at work tomorrow when I get to test out the battery life.

[apeshite]

Earl,
I recieved a notice in the mail that someone sued apple over faulty batteries and those with generation 1-3 ipod owner may be owed battery replacement by apple. may be worth looking into.

It was a class action suit. Details here: http://www.appleipodsettlement.com/notice.html

[Ladt]

I got a Creative Zen Micro a few weeks ago and its great. Surprisingly user friendly, although the touch sensitive controls are a little too sensitive. Sounds great though. Don't really know much about them though, that just happened to be the right price for me.

[9000]

I ended up going with the 6gb Rio Carbon Pearl.

are you not worried about blowing past the 6GB in no time at all? my biggest issue with mp3 players is the need to constantly manage the storage limitations.

[earl grey]

my biggest issue with mp3 players is the need to constantly manage the storage limitations.

tell me about it. my 10 GB ipod has been maxed out since a week after i got it. putting stuff on means taking stuff off, making for a brutally painful update process.

[george]

i really have to assume that buying anything other than an ipod is just arrogant antiestablishmentarianism.

[Paul]

are you not worried about blowing past the 6GB in no time at all? my biggest issue with mp3 players is the need to constantly manage the storage limitations.Nope, I actually didn't want one with a huge amount of storage. I'd never change anything on there if I had that luxury. With 6gb, I can still carry around about 1000 songs/90-100 albums... and that's PLENTY!

[earl grey]

With 6gb, I can still carry around about 1000 songs/90-100 albums... and that's PLENTY!

famous last words.

[Salman]

I ended up going with the 6gb Rio Carbon Pearl. By crikey, the thing is awesome! Sounds great, the controls are very intuitive (I haven't even had to read the instructions once), and the loading software is pretty lean and easy.

The real test will come at work tomorrow when I get to test out the battery life.

Just wondering how this held up for you Paul?

I'm also looking for a new mp3 player. My 20gb iPod finally died out on me after nearly three years of use. I'm thinking about either getting the 30gb iPod video or the 30gb Creative Zen Vision, which my friend keeps recommending to me.

You folks have any other suggestions?

[Paul]

Just wondering how this held up for you Paul?

I'm also looking for a new mp3 player. My 20gb iPod finally died out on me after nearly three years of use. I'm thinking about either getting the 30gb iPod video or the 30gb Creative Zen Vision, which my friend keeps recommending to me.

You folks have any other suggestions? Actually, a couple months ago the lcd screen went kablooey on my Rio Carbon and I had no way to navigate through my files anymore. Since the warranty was up and the model was discontinued, I just bought a new iPod Nano and I love it. I still don't think I need the luxury of huge amounts of storage...actually I don't even miss the storage I lost by dropping from a 6GB to a 4GB player. I keeps it fresh!

[Lukas]

I have a Creative zen Vision M. It's user friendly and it is very customizable. It is however very big for a modern MP3 player, and that causes problems of where to put it. In terms of sound; I find it fairs better compared to my old 20 gig Ipod, the zen also sends a louder singal to the headphones [that might just be me]. The battery in my creative is great, it conserves the power very well when turned off, which I found to be a problem with my old Ipod.

Please keep in mind that the quality the music you are listening to affects the battery life - more battery life is being used when loading a larger file.

[Fiona]

Dammit, my ipod is officially dead. I'm contemplating sending it to be repaired (it's out of warranty), but the repair price here is about the same as purchasing a new one in the US - as it's not the battery, it's totally fecked.

So, quick question: which has the lower sales tax, Texas or Nevada? One of my friends travels to Austin regularly on business, and could pick one up for me. Alternatively, I can ask other friends to get one for me in Las Vegas next month.

This is of course assuming that were I to send it back, it would be repaired and not replaced with a shiny new one.

[Paul]

This (http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/sales.html) sez Texas is cheaper, but only by 0.25%.

[Fiona]

Thanks Paul.

Whatever I do, it's going to cost EUR200-300 for a new one, and I've had this one less than two years :mad:

[Fiona]

This could as easily go in the WTF thread, but that iPod pulled a lazarus and started working again. I was rummaging in the drawer for something else this morning, idly picked it up and when I pressed play it came to life. This after it being irretrievably sad for a week...

It's been a contrary yoke since I got it so think I'll stick with the plan of buying a replacement... It will more than likely keel over again the minute I ask my friends not to bother getting me one.