Preferences: 16+ GB memory, ability to craft playlists on the go, .mp3 AND .wma compatible, no Apple-style exclusive agreements/non-negotiable need to download some music service-just simple copy-and-paste from my Windows Vista comp to the unit (tho I’ll tolerate having to use Windows Media Player if necessary). I’ll probably be getting a gift certificate for Worst Buy from Santa.
If this is what you are really looking for, I suggest you go ahead and travel back to 2002. Creative made mp3 players exactly like that, as did Samsung.
2002? So what is the state of the art today? Yes, I could use my phone, but I don’t want to unnecessarily drain its battery (which tends to run out pretty quickly as it is).
ipods are awesome.
iPod.
Have you used an iPod, or are you just opposed to it based on what others have told you?
Yes, iTunes sucks in windows, but if you configure it to merely be the mp3 file manager for your iPod, it works.
Well, iPods are really really popular. But if you would prefer something else, there are definitely alternatives. Despite Snowboarder Bo’s disdain, you can easily purchase an mp3 player with all the functionality of an iPod at half the price AND it will have drag and drop capability. This looks like the one they’re pushing now. I would strongly advise you to look around their website. I’m on my second mp3 player from Creative and I doubt I’ll ever get anything else. My first player lasted me from sophomore year of high school to the summer before my senior year of college. I expect my current player to last just as long.
You could get a Zune, you’d only need to time travel back to 2007 or so. Better than 2002 at least.
Honestly, though, you could get an iPod. Look, there’s even an “add music from this folder automatically to my iPod” folder!
The reason why iPods are pretty much the only option now is because they work for the majority of the population. If you’re set on it, I’m sure there are Chinese brand mp3 players still available.
Or he could stay in 2011/12 and shop at any of several different 3rd party vendors. Take it from me, Apple does not, in fact have a monopoly on being current. From a purely functional standpoint, there are mp3 players that do the same job more cheaply, more easily and longer than iPods.
That looks pretty good actually, except that it is only 16 meg. You can add another 32 meg with a memory card, which only leaves it about 30 megs shy of my iPod, which is almost 5 years old now.
But, for objectivity’s sake (and because I’m a subscriber), I just went to Consumer Reports to look at the reviews of mp3 players, which are separated into “media players” (considerably pricier) and “music players”.
The top 5 media players, in order:
Apple iPod Touch – 64 gig
Apple iPod Touch – 32 gig
Apple iPod Touch – 8 gig
Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 4.0 – 8 gig
Cowon J3 – 32 gig
Top 5 music players, in order:
Apple iPod Nano (16 GB) (7th gen)
Apple iPod Nano (8 GB) (7th gen)
Apple iPod Nano - (16 GB) (6th gen)
Apple iPod Nano - (8 GB) (6th gen)
Samsung YP-U5 (2 GB)
And how much did you pay for it? Because the one I linked to is 80 bucks.
Gets A Sansa Clip mp3 player. A 2gb will run you about $30 bucks and you can put in a micro SD card and expand the memory.
I had an iPod which is great, but I lost it. The Sansa sounds just as good and I don’t care if I lose this.
The only really bad thing about the Sansa is in direct sunlight the LED washes out. It’s drag and drop so you don’t need anything more than your Windows Explorer.
I liked my iPod but when you lose it, there goes a lot of money. That is if you’re prone to losing things. And really with any mp3 player, they’re going to play well. It’s really the type of ear phones or ear buds you buy that make or break the sound.