MP3 Players (iPods)

[dynatech]

I'm about to treat myself to an mp3 player so I can play my music wherever I am. I was going to get an iPod but I have heard there are better more reliable players available and that you pay for the "iPod" name more than anything.
It's got to be a 60gb to handle all my collection, any recommendations?

[mart]

Have a look at Archos, bit more substantial then ipods.

Mart

[Jacques]

Archos or Creative (the ZEN Vision:M is superb but alas just 30gb) forget iProducts, they don't work and just look pretty for mactards.

[BGAFD Admin]

A glimpse of the future?

[Sam Slater]

If you've loadsa CD's that you wanna copy onto the mp3 player then, like Jacques says, 'the Zens are good'. However if you're gonna purchase music online then make sure they're not copy protected .wma files. These are just as bad -I think worse!- than the protected .aac files iTunes use's.

I have an apple nano 4GB for when I'm jogging & stuff & it works perfectly. The larger Ipods work just as good, but seem to have a bad rep for no 'real' reason I can see, other than they're made by apple!

iTunes lets you install you're purchased music on 5 different machines while a lot of online music stores that use DRM10 wma files, only let you have a maximum of 3 machines. With all the trouble about windows media player 10, and the backup issue's, I'd go along the iTunes route when it come's to online music purchasing.

[dynatech]

I just want one for the car or taking to work etc, not so much replacing my cd's as replacing the tons of MiniDiscs I have plus there's the bonus of being able to use it in any car with a half-decent stereo... what I don't want is something that goes wrong a lot. Creative were recommended but for some reason they discontinued their 60gb machines....

[Sam Slater]

Since iPods appeal to more people, I'm guessing they're more compatable. Don't quote me wholeheartedly on this however as I've never connected an iPod to a car stereo before.

I haven't used a minidisc in about 6 years so I'm not sure if you can copy the songs straight onto you're pc or not either.

Remember that Apple have been making the iPod for years now. They're expensive but I've had 1 20gb iPod, 2 iPod Nano's, and my neice has an iPod shuffle. Never had a problem with any of em in 4 years.

Creative do a 60gb model though, check this out -->

It hasn't got video, photo or firewire though which the Ipod 60gb has. (If you've not got firewire on your pc, or wanna store pics & vid clips, it's not an issue).

[Fred]

iPods get the usual Mac backlash comments. They are popular because they work fine and are well designed. Had one for three years, it's great.

[Fraser]

I've got two ipods, a mini and a 30gb, my daughters have a nano and a mini, my girlfriend has a 60gb.

We've never had any problems with any of them and one of mine is nearly three years old now. They look great and they just work which is why they are so popular.

[Jacques]

I find it rather hysterical how people blow their wads (in more ways than one) over iPods.

90% of Apple sales are generated through advertising, it's all a big fraud. They are not out to sell you a 'lifestyle product' they are out to sell you a lifestyle. Oh yes, iPod's are special because they're totally individual ? but that at the same time, every lifestyle whore has one. Great. So they sell exclusivity, but the whole world is their market. Playing on the common notion that everyone is special, even if basically we are all alike. Apple are branding everyone the same, and forcing everyone to be the same and have the same products as well as buy their equipment and make themselves more money.

Everyone's earphones are the same because they see every customer as an advertising post. Battery life used to be a serious problem with the first generation units. They would die on a regular basis leaving people without entertainment. Replacing the battery would cost a lot of money, and in some cases, it would just be cheaper to buy a new one than have the battery repaired. Oh and the cracked screens, and the customer service.

When looking at the functions of an iPod and what it holds, you really don't seem to get much for your money. The display is very basic, the standard iPods are just black and white, and the way menus are laid out, along with functions and connectivity are quite frankly, poor.


Why are iPod users so obsessed with their little machines?