Which portable media player? (Christmas Present)

[lawrencekill]

http://forum.tip.it/viewtopic.php?t=377 ... d&start=20

 

This is an older thread but it's a year or so old so I'm not sure if it's still applicable.

 

 

 

So basically Christmas is coming up(in 2 months) and I'm thinking of getting some kind of portable media player for my Christmas present.

 

 

 

I've done some really shallow research on Creative Zen and iPod, and I have no idea what to get.

 

 

 

So post your opinion and recommend a good portable media player.

 

 

 

Preferred:

 

FM Radio (don't have many favorites right now)

 

Able to acquire from retail stores (not eBay and other online)

 

Durability (how long it lasts before I have to buy a new one, not including intentional damage, i.e. throwing it on the floor)

 

 

 

I won't be watching videos on it so don't really need that feature.

 

 

 

 

 

ARG!!! I can't think of anymore. Yes it's pathetic. If you have any thing to add onto it just post or pm.

 

 

 

Also, since this is the ONLY time of the year I get a gift, unless I get a 4.00 GPA unweighted or get into the top 1% in the PSAT(you can probably guess my race), if not a portable media player, what should I get for a Christmas present.

 

 

 

No Computers, or anything more expensive than like $400-$500.

[PaperClipsYaaaar]

A computer

[RayOxide]

A computer

 

 

 

Idiot.

 

 

 

IPod's are lame. I'd go with an MP4. In Australia there was a 10 minute news report on how lame IPods are. (I think, if it went flat, you need a new darn IPod.)

[Nadril]

I'd go with an iPod personally, but thats me. Only problem is I don't think they have an FM radio on their own (but their is an addon you can get that has it, I think).

 

 

 

 

 

I know a lot of anti-fanbois will run in here and spew all kind of stuff but I've had my (old edition) iPod for a good 3+ years with no problems. I've dropped it a lot of times (never from anywhere high, just in like the office and stuff haha) and its fine.

[Bubsa]

I've known people who have had many problems with iPod durability, both hardware and software, and yet, I've known equally as many people with no problem whatsover.

 

 

 

However, ~50% isn't a very good strike rate.

 

 

 

Conversally, I've yet to find one person who's had a problem with a Zen, even the Zen Vision: M. The Zen has FM radio, long battery life, more support for different codecs and is cheaper and (IMO) looks better.

[Fat_Slug]

personally i use my phone as a i pod(one less thing to carry around)

 

it has music holding capability, fm radio, and obviously a phone. i added a larger memory card to it so i could hold more music.

 

 

 

http://www.yourmobilephonereviews.co.uk ... eviews.htm

[flying_death_bombs55]

one of those old hand radios?( made of wood/ plastic)

[Abelmisi]

If I were you, I'd go with an iPod. Yes, they may be a little too fragile and not so durable, but if you take good care of them they'll do fine. Also, the ones with the hard drives (iPod classics) can crap out easier, so you might want to get a flash based one (iPod nanos, touches). It may sound extreme, but also take the Shuffle into consideration, it's a pretty sleek mp3 player with a little clip. It may not be the best capacity/money choice though. It's pretty cheap compared to the other iPods, $79 for 1GB. The radio transmitters are priced around fifty bucks, and can be found here.

 

 

 

Here are the links on all of the iPod modells if you haven't visited the Apple site yet:

 

 

 

Shuffle

 

Nano

 

Classic

 

Touch

 

 

 

Hope I could be some help.

[cryztalwing]

A shortwave radio whould be better..Thow that is not really a Media player..

[Phil]

Remember if you buy an ipod you have to use itunes.

 

Personally if I were to be buying something it would be a creative zen.

[primadog]

I recommend creative zen with the arm band accessory. I have gone through 5 mp3 players and I can definitely vouch for the Zen. It's small (good for running), long battery life, fm radio (VERY useful), intuitive interface, and other goodies like voice recording. The only down-side is the screen it utilize can only display simple text, ie no videos. But for the price (I got my 1GB zen refurb for only $25, armband $3), it's definitely the best for the money.

 

 

 

 

 

Don't get the ipod, it's overrated and expensive.

[StrOwez]

I'm looking for an upgrade on my mp3 player, I don't really like the Ipod as I'd have to subscribe to Itunes and other I[cabbage].

 

 

 

so I'll probably get this "Creative Zen V+ 8GB - MP3 Player - With Video Playback & FM Radio "

 

 

 

ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã90 which is about ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã100 cheaper than an Ipod version.

 

 

 

found it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Zen-8G ... 48&sr=8-13

[Ragen]

 

Conversally, I've yet to find one person who's had a problem with a Zen, even the Zen Vision: M. The Zen has FM radio, long battery life, more support for different codecs and is cheaper and (IMO) looks better.

 

 

 

Look no further. My Zen Micro Photo has been freezing for a while now and finally stopped working about a week ago. I'm in the process of trying to fix it.

 

 

 

I'd still recommend them though, if you aren't going to go jogging in it (which was the root of the problem I think).

[Barihawk]

I'd say a Zen or a Zune with your list of requirements.

 

 

 

My Zune has worked fine since January. They are coming out with a V2 next month, that will have more hard disk space and a more sleek look, but it's functionality is the same as V1. It's also very good for watching movies, and the FM reception is excellent.

[Satenza]

I got a new nano yesterday, i have had a mini for like 3+ years, no problems and still works perfectly fine. I just needed something to hold more music since i hate switching things around. Im impressed the battery life appears to be pretty razzzzz

[Althalus]

Just to give you a rough idea on how durable a Zen is. I bought the Creative Microphoto about 2 years ago and I'm pretty clumsy. To date I've dropped it from the top of my car (you could say about 4 ft +) ON TO CEMENT dozens of times and it hasn't skipped a beat.

 

 

 

For battery life it was advertised at 15 hours when I bought it and after two years it's about 10-12.

[mrmyk]

I bought a Sony HD5 about 2 years ago, at the time all Apple had was the iPod mini and this is smaller, 5x more memory space and generally easy to use. Search the new Sony models, they wont disappoint you + don't have to use iTunes \

[assassin_696]

I've had my iPod for two or three years now, couldn't be happier with it really, and if I were to buy another I'd probably get one of the new "Classics", since it's likely to be the only player on the market that'll fit my music in it now and into the forseeable future (I have a lot of music).

 

 

 

I suppose the only thing is it's lack of a radio, but you can get a mini attachment to stick one on, if I was desperate (tbh I've never really missed one).

[ReapMe]

i just use my psp lol

 

have 4 gig mem stick, play vids, get online, play games, whatever

[deloriagod]

If you like the idea of lots of add-ons and accesories, iPod is the way to go. There's no doubt they have the easiest to find accesories in stores. Plus, they're easy to keep in your pocket without having the bulg saying "OMG I've got an MP3 player!". I owned an old iPod Shuffle a few years back and the battery life was amazing. It easily got 14 hours out of a single charge. The software was pretty nice for the iPod. It was slow at times but I never just wanted to punch the computer screen.

 

 

 

If you're not big into iPods, I've heard nothing bad about Creative Zen. I personally don't know anyone that owns one, nor have I seen ANY accessories in stores. So I can't really say much about these.

 

 

 

Now I own a Zune. It has a nice big screen for watching videos and it only comes in a 30gb model so I have plenty of space for my music, photos, etc. The software isn't too bad, but it's incredibly slow at times and to the point I just want to punch my screen. My screen scratched easily, but that happens with any MP3 player you have in your pocket. I'm not such a big fan of the overalll size of the Zune. It's pretty damn bulky. You can always tell when I have it in my pocket so it generally stays in my backpack when I'm not listening to it. That battery life isn't too terrible. I generally get 5 or 6 hours of just music, but videos drain the battery in no time.

 

 

 

Other than that, you can venture into brands like Sony and such but I've never known anyone (aside from possible people here) to have real great luck with anything but the 3 brands above. And don't forget to buy a warrenty with your MP3 player. If it breaks, battery life goes to hell, etc. you'll be VERY glad you got the warrenty.

 

 

 

Also, you're going to get a lot of fanboy responses. Make your decision based on the requirements you want and what tends to get positive feedback, not just what anyone tells you to get.

[Nom]

Ghetto blaster.

[Biabf]

I've known people who have had many problems with iPod durability, both hardware and software, and yet, I've known equally as many people with no problem whatsover.

 

 

 

However, ~50% isn't a very good strike rate.

 

 

 

Conversally, I've yet to find one person who's had a problem with a Zen, even the Zen Vision: M. The Zen has FM radio, long battery life, more support for different codecs and is cheaper and (IMO) looks better.

From the experience of my friends, once you drop a Zen, it's the end.

 

 

 

I'd go with an iPod, none of my friends have ever had a problem with an iPod but if you buy the new fugly style nano I will beat you.

[Lemeja]

I was just about to make a topic like this...Well hopefully someone will post one that's under 100 USD :P

[Jmclark911]

I own a new 3rd gen iPod nano with video. It's pretty good.

 

 

 

FM tuners are around $25-40.

 

 

 

I guess I've had mine for 2 weeks or so, so I can't talk about durability.

 

 

 

Go with one, $150 for 4 Gig (1k songs) or $200 for 8 Gig (2k songs)

[stan18]

anythingbutipod.com has reviews for mp3 players other than ipod

 

 

 

creative always has really nice players