Recommendations for MP3 Player?

[buffybot_in_beirut]

I would like to buy an MP3 player. Preferably not an iPod because there is something fishy about consumer products promoted to cult status by a hysterical public (and a cunning monopolist producer).

I need 10 to 20 GB and I guess I prefer a flash drive instead of hard disk. The thing needs to play music - not show videos, dial phone numbers or mix a drink. My MP3 files are all ripped from my own CDs, some of which could be of questionable origin. I also have MP3s that friends have allowed me to copy. I have named all my MP3 files myself, and have mercilessly deleted all non-music files (album covers, indexing files). I want to drag and drop the MP3s onto the player like I drag and drop files within my PC with the “Windows Explorer,” or like I move photos from my digital camera to my PC. No complicated import or synchronization of files please. No mandatory installation of software on my computer, if possible.

Once the MP3s are on the player, I want the thing to play the music files randomly, or I want to choose singles or a whole selection from the file list. (So I guess I need a player with a display?)

I would be very grateful if the player runs on (rechargeable) standard batteries (AA or AAA?), even if they only give me a few hours of power. I am not a fan of customized rechargeable batteries (like the ones in mobile phones or laptops) that are expensive to replace, and I would violently hate a player whose battery cannot be replaced by the user. No need for the player to be extra-tiny.

I prefer a moderately priced item. I know I will be ripped off anyway. (Like with my first flash drive memory stick: 256 KB for 49.99 dollars in 2004…)

I just checked the Wikipedia entry that compares MP3 players, but there are so many models by now that I am totally confused.

[IT_whipping_boy]

Currently, chip based players can’t handle 10-20 GB storage (the highest I’ve seen is 6GB), tend to be high priced (chips way more costly than magnetic storage) and are usually made to be compact, so they’ll have small displays and fiddly controls. Everything you say you want points to a drive based player unless you want to wait for the technology to improve.

For ease of use, IPOD is clearly the leader. The free iTunes software you get is a breeze even for noobs to use. There’s a good reasons it’s the market leader. You’ll just have to deal with DRM and the tell tale white headphone cords that say ‘steal me’.

A friend of mine thinks that Apple is evil and has a San Disk. She’s pretty happy with it. It plays multiple formats other than MP3 but no idea about batteries or ease of use. Google up a website called ‘anything but an IPOD’ and they have loads of reviews and consumer feedback.

[marie-angelique]

i have a San Disk, i can use it to store other types of files if needed.

it runs on one AAA battery, which is one of the main reasons i bought it.

it works fine, was cheap, has a radio, but not a ton of memory....

ANYTHING BUT IPOD!!!!!!!

[snaark]

I have a Sony and its served me well. I|m a bit of an audiophile and I think iNobs sound like a train wreck. The new Sonys have flash drives up to 16gb but they're exy. Check out Cnet.com.

[JamesInTheWorld]

Just go ahead and buy an iPod – don’t delay the inevitable


~James

[marie-angelique]

Just go ahead and buy an iPod – don’t delay the inevitable


~James

never never never, ipod, itunes and apple are the root of all evil.

my sister works tech support for a large city. most of the problems with the computers are i-crap programs mucking things up that people didn't even intend to install.

[JamesInTheWorld]

The how can one be a cool liberal if you don’t use Apple products?




~JITW

[marie-angelique]

The how can one be a cool liberal if you don’t use Apple products?
~JITW

there are three fallacious assumptions going on here :)

[JamesInTheWorld]

It was a joke

Apple is a huge Defense Contractor


~JITW

[marie-angelique]

It was a joke

Apple is a huge Defense Contractor


~JITW

i knew it was a joke, but i didn't know apple was a defense contractor.

if only the flaming liberal artsy types around here knew that :p

[Ultra Swain]

Get a phone that plays music. Why carry extra crap? God you are all so stupid.
JEEEEEEZ!


;)

[JamesInTheWorld]

Get a phone that plays music. Why carry extra crap? God you are all so stupid.
JEEEEEEZ!


;)

I Second that

I have a Nokia N90 that has a great mp3 player already built in:

http://theprofessionaladventurer.com/my ... nokia-n90/


~JITW

[marie-angelique]

how much did you pay for that toy?

[JamesInTheWorld]

Like 700 in the Dubai Duty Free – but I think its lower now.

I am going to pass through the Dubai Duty Free again this weekend, I’ll see if it’s the same

~JITW

[Swordsman]

With there being SDHC(Secure Digital High Capacity) cards on the market now for up to 16G and 32G ones just around the corner I dont see the problem with getting a SD based mp3 player such as the Sandisk ones. Just make sure that it supports SDHC cards, that is - bigger than 8GB SD cards.