MP3 Player advice needed!

[sn00pie]

I'm looking for a good MP3 player, so far everything seems to be MD-based, where you burn the MP3's onto a MiniDisk. But that's not what I'm looking for.

I need... a player that's solely for MP3's, with it's own hard disk or memory stick - whatever. I need to be able to store about 200 songs on it.

Big display.

Nice button layout.

Durable device.

Excellent sound quality.

No remote control junk or unnessecary wires - merely the wires for the headphones.

And it has to fit into my pocket.

500$ tops.


-- Who can help me out?

 

[Sage]

As the Apple faithful that I am, I'll have to throw in a vote for the Apple iPod.

I'm looking for a good MP3 player, so far everything seems to be MD-based, where you burn the MP3's onto a MiniDisk. But that's not what I'm looking for.

I need... a player that's solely for MP3's, with it's own hard disk or memory stick - whatever. I need to be able to store about 200 songs on it.

Check.

Big display.

Check.

Nice button layout.

Check! (Ever see such beautiful boo-tons and the neat-o scroll wheel? )

Durable device.

Check. The only way Macworld was able to kill their iPod was by dropping it off of a bike sideways at about 30 mph.

Excellent sound quality.

I haven't read any comparisions about the sound quality or what not, but I'd assume that it's very good.

No remote control junk or unnessecary wires - merely the wires for the headphones.

Even thought the pic on the front page shows the remote control, that's only available with the 10GB and 20GB models... the 5GB model (which hold 1,000 songs) doesn't come with one.

And it has to fit into my pocket.

Check.

500$ tops.

Check.

-- Who can help me out?

*Politely raises hand*

The one serious issue that you might run into is the fact that it relies on Firewire (aka i.LINK), and Firewire only... no USB connection. Thus, you'd need to install the appropriate equipment to do that, provided that your computer doesn't already have it. But, since the 5GB model starts out at $300, that's $200 you have to spare, so I *think* that you should be able to squeeze in a Firewire port with that surplus...

[edit]: In fact, on Apple's page, I've found the appropriate place to buy such devices... go the the following page, and scroll down about half-way:

http://www.apple.com/digitalhub/buy/music.html

 

[sn00pie]

Thanks, Sage!

I stumbled upon the iPod myself too, but I wasn't too sure about PC compatibility.

I'm going to have a look in the stores here for a firewire adapter or something, I'm not a fan of opening up my case and planting things in it - if you know what I mean.

I'll keep you posted.

Also. -- The newer MPMAN's look good too, plus they're cheaper.

 

[Solid Fro]

Firewire adapter that plugs into what? USB? Serial? One of the steps of buying anything computer related is to know and understand what your computer is compatible with. Almost all MP3 players use USB to transfer data between the device and the computer.

I recommend any player from Bantam or Creative's Nomad series. Check out IGN's extensive reviews page. http://gear.ign.com/audio.html

 

[Cobraboy]

I only went with MD because I was HK$200 short of the cheapest MP3 player when I went over to Hong Kong. I would prefer an MP3 player, but my MD will do for now.

 

[Sage]

Thanks, Sage!

Sure!

I'm going to have a look in the stores here for a firewire adapter or something, I'm not a fan of opening up my case and planting things in it - if you know what I mean.

Hmmm... it's certainly worth a shot, but I'm not sure if such things exist...?

Also, having done a bit more research yesterday, it sounds like Apple might drop the 5GB iPod within the next 3-4 months... in addition, I also learned that the 10/20GB iPods use a trackpad for the scroll wheel, versus the 5GB's mechanical scroll wheel.

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by youth_cycler
Sure!


Hmmm... it's certainly worth a shot, but I'm not sure if such things exist...?

Also, having done a bit more research yesterday, it sounds like Apple might drop the 5GB iPod within the next 3-4 months... in addition, I also learned that the 10/20GB iPods use a trackpad for the scroll wheel, versus the 5GB's mechanical scroll wheel.

I've looked around and it seems that 5GB iPod's are sold out everywhere! -- It's my birthday this sunday, I'll try and get my dad to slip in a 10 or 20GB iPod among my gifts.

Oh, and I found a firewire PCMCIA card, so I can plug it into my laptop. 👍 ($149 though...)

 

[Sage]

've looked around and it seems that 5GB iPod's are sold out everywhere!

Yeah, that's something else I should've mentioned... and in fact, it's the reason that a rumor is going out that Apple will soon drop it (figuratively speaking! ). Historically, when Apple has "temporarily run out" of a product, most of the time that means that they're going to drop it.

-- It's my birthday this sunday, I'll try and get my dad to slip in a 10 or 20GB iPod among my gifts.

Shoot, I want rich parents too!

Oh, and I found a firewire PCMCIA card, so I can plug it into my laptop. 👍 ($149 though...)

Ouch... oh well, I guess it's worth it!

Now I want an iPod, dag nabit!

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by youth_cycler


Now I want an iPod, dag nabit!

You already have an iBook, nab dagit!

 

[rjensen11]

If you have a windows machine, I think Apple only sells 20GB ones for those, and they're specialized. But you could always try searching for 3rd party interface before going out and buying the Windows $500 one...

 

[rjensen11]

iPod info:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...geLeftAccessoriesPromo.1.1.0.3.1.2.17.3.1.1.0

 

[Sage]

Originally posted by rufrgt_sn00pie2001
You already have an iBook, nab dagit!

But I want an iPod too, nab-- shoot, you already did that!

 

[oosacker]

Dont get an ipod! Get a Creative Nomad Jukebox ZEN
20GB HDD, EAX, USB2.0 etc etc...http://nomadworld.com

 

[oosacker]

Personally I have a Nomad Jukebox2 and its nice.

 

[rjensen11]

I don't want a JukeBox2! Hmph!!! Main reasons: I don't have USB2.0 on my computer(too lazy to get a PCI card for it too), I already have a firewire card with 3 empty ports(2 outside, 1 on inside), and I forget, does the JukeBox have any moving parts? I could've sworn I read it uses a hard drive...

 

[oosacker]

Yep, its got a hard drive