|
|
DOOL Discussion Group
Ok, so I know absolutely nothing about MP3 players (or MP4 players!) and need to schooled.
Please teach me anything and everything there is to know... especially what makes an iPod any better than other players 'cause ipods are EXPENSIVE!
Sorry for the blanket response but time is short.
Thank you all so much for the input (especially Chris P.!!).
I researched all the specific ones recommended and shopped a bit.
This is for Leah, not me, but I didn't want one marketed for kids. That's why I asked for adult opinions. LOL
We found a Creative Zen for just over 40 bucks and it's PINK! Pink is Leah's favorite color. LOL
I don't remember the memory size, but the song capacity is more than Leah would need. For now anyway. Music is very important to Leah and she literally can't live without it. But she is very forgetful and a bit clumsy so we couldn't put a lot of money into it knowing that one day she may lose it or break it.
I sure hope she likes it when Santa brings it to her!
I ended up getting her an iPod Shuffle for $49 at Target. It can hold 500 songs and since I already have iTunes on my computer because I have a second-gen iPod Nano, I easily put songs on it for her. So I'm definitely partial to the iPod.
iPod Touch is AWESOME! It is not just a music player... also plays videos, stores pics, and wherever you can connect to wifi, you can also surf the web! It is basically the iPhone without the phone (and camera).
I LOVE my iPod. I got it a year ago, and it is still one of the favorite things I have ever bought myself!
First things first. MP3 players are like cars. Every one of them is going to get you where you're going. Like cars, you can go basic and inexpensive, or you can go fully loaded Eddie Bauer edition (remember those?) with all the bells and whistles. So here is a little help:
Generics (non-iPod/non-Zune): These are the cheapest, and will typically take a little more work to get your music setup on them. They may or may not come with software (and it may be Windows only) to help you get your music on them. If you know how to create MP3, you regularly use Finder or Explorer to move files around on your computer, including to/from external flash drives, then you could use this option no problem. If the last 2 sentences confuse you, then do NOT buy one of these unless you're going to make your child/significant-other always manage your music (they'll love you for it :) I would NOT buy one of these for my mother or Lisa if that gives you an idea.
Zune: Microsoft's attempt at an iPod. Microsoft makes custom software to work with the Zune and to aid you in getting your music to/from your Zune. While I have not personally owned one, I know people who do, and they work just fine. The only draw back to a Zune is that it is Microsoft only. If all you own is a Windows computer and that is all you will ever own, then this is a fine option for you. The Zune's primary focus is on the subscription music market, however, you can still purchase/keep individual songs (more on this later).
iPod: The market leader. Full stop. The iPod turned the MP3 market into the next "walkman" moment. The iPod uses iTunes to manage your music, and works on both Windows and Macs. So no matter what computer you own today, or might own tomorrow (or might be using at your workplace) can install iTunes and let you manage your iPod. If you look at the MP3 marketplace, you'll see that just about everyone copies the iPod interface, not to fool people into thinking they're buying an iPod, but rather in recognition that the iPod has just about the best interface for this type of device. The iTunes Music Store model is focused on song ownership (you buy your songs and keep them).
Song ownership models.
Service: If you always get tired of music, you only like to listen to what is popular, and you were never one to buy records/tapes/cds of artists you wanted to listen to again and again, then a subscription model may be for you. You pay a monthly fee (think like cable TV) and as long as you have your service, you get to download/listen to any songs you want as much as you want. If you ever end your service, your MP3 player will be empty, and you'll have nothing to listen to, unless of course you also buy songs during your subscription to keep forever. In addition to Zune's service, there is an independent service (Rhapsody I believe) that works with ANY MP3 player (they give you the software to work with it).
Own: Everyone understands this. Like buying a CD, if you purchase a song online, it is yours forever. You only lose it if you well, actually lose it (like lending a CD to someone and never getting it back).
Now, which model to buy once you've settled on one of the 3 categories? Well, do you listen to music so much and so often that you need to have 6 days (that is 144 hours of non-stop unique songs) of music with you at all times? If so, then you definitely want something 10GB or bigger in storage size. Bigger = more expensive. If that sounds a little over the top to you, then get something smaller and cheaper.
Chew on all this (plus whatever other advice you get) and if you have more questions, ask, I'll be happy to answer. Once you settle on a type (e.g. generic, zune, or ipod) and are unsure about which model to buy, i'm more than happy to give a few more words of advice.
If you put me on the spot right now, I'd say get one of the new iPod Nanos (8GB/16GB). You can carry a lot of music, it has a display (which is very nice) and it can even take video (which may or may not be important to you, but it can be fun when you have it). It works on Windows/Macs and is not too expensive given all the other models to choose from. I would lean on the 16GB, just because once you start using an MP3 player with video capability, you might start buying/doing things you haven't thought of. Comparing the Nano 16GB to the Zune 16GB, they're similar in specs and price, but I'd go with the Nano because of cross-platform compatibility. Plus, because Apple is the 800 pound gorilla in this market, the fact is all other companies in the market are chasing Apple, and 3rd party product producers make their add-on extras for Apple before anyone else.
Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions!
PS - I'm not a hater (as in anti-MS or anti-anyone). I have used both Windows and Macs for 20 years, so my advice comes from my experience and some preference. Unlike an old boss of mine who wouldn't buy anything made by Microsoft, I happily buy those things I like and will use no matter who makes them.
Replies: (list all replies)
Replies: (list all replies)
Dana, I can't teach you much, LOL. The ipod is pretty simple once you download the stuff I think. I got one one ebay for a decent price,otherwise would not have spent the money. My real plan is to give to MissM & tell her what songs I want & have her do it!
Last year when I was Christmas shopping, one of the techie guys showed me several other less $$ mp3's & was saying they are just as good as ipod. OTOH, we recieved a free mp3 at seminar few months ago, gave to MissM and she does not like it.
Good luck, hope you get some helpful info.
Replies: (list all replies)