[PeggyFair]

Hi everybody,This board has helped me pick the right computers, now I need help in picking a good mp3 player for working out. I DON'T want an apple. I have been looking at Creative Zen and SansaDisk but I still don't know which brand I should get. I just want an mp3 player where I can sort my playlists, and I want it to have a good vibrant screen. I've only had an Ipod Shuffle, but that has since died and I am ready to upgrade. Thanks!

[themagain]

Are you looking for a flash-based player or a hard drive based player? With a hard drive player you will start a 30 GB.

[smax013]

[quote name='PeggyFair']Hi everybody,> > > > This board has helped me pick the right computers, now I need help in picking a good mp3 player for working out. I DON'T want an apple. I have been looking at Creative Zen and SansaDisk but I still don't know which brand I should get. I just want an mp3 player where I can sort my playlists, and I want it to have a good vibrant screen. I've only had an Ipod Shuffle, but that has since died and I am ready to upgrade. Thanks!If you don't mind me asking, why not an Apple iPod? Just curious.I have heard good things about Creative Zens, but have never used one myself. You might want to take a look at PCWorld's reviews to see what they have to say.

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='themagain']Are you looking for a flash-based player or a hard drive based player? With a hard drive player you will start a 30 GB.I had no idea that there were 2 kinds. LOL..I am guessing that when I had the ipod shuffle it was a hard drive based? What is a flash based player?

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='smax013']> {quote:title=PeggyFair wrote:}{quote}Hi everybody,> > > > > > > > This board has helped me pick the right computers, now I need help in picking a good mp3 player for working out. I DON'T want an apple. I have been looking at Creative Zen and SansaDisk but I still don't know which brand I should get. I just want an mp3 player where I can sort my playlists, and I want it to have a good vibrant screen. I've only had an Ipod Shuffle, but that has since died and I am ready to upgrade. Thanks!> > > > If you don't mind me asking, why not an Apple iPod? Just curious.> > > > I have heard good things about Creative Zens, but have never used one myself. You might want to take a look at PCWorld's reviews to see what they have to say.I know this may sound silly, but too many people have Apple Ipod, I want something different. LOL. I've always been a rebel against things that "everybody has" even though I started off with an Apple since it was cheap and I knew nothing about mp3 players. I like those offbrand lesser known brands that perform just as well as brand name products.

[smax013]

[quote name='PeggyFair']> > I had no idea that there were 2 kinds. LOL..I am guessing that when I had the ipod shuffle it was a hard drive based? What is a flash based player?A flash based MP3 player uses flash memory to store the songs. It is all memory based and has no moving parts. There are usually smaller in physical size and also smaller in capacity. I believe that flash players max out at about 8 gb of storage space or so. Their advantage is that they are typically cheaper and better able to handle bouncing around (people who want an MP3 player for exercise tend to like flash based players better). Your old iPod Shuffle is a flash based player.A hard drive based player makes use of a small hard drive for storage, typically along with a buffer. They have moving parts so they are potentially more susceptible to mechanical failure and bounding around (although buffers in most will prevent skipping). They will have larger storage capacity (the video iPod can do 80 gb of storage). They tend to cost more. And they tend to be bigger and heavier than flash based players.

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='smax013']> {quote:title=PeggyFair wrote:}{quote}> > > > I had no idea that there were 2 kinds. LOL..I am guessing that when I had the ipod shuffle it was a hard drive based? What is a flash based player?> > > > A flash based MP3 player uses flash memory to store the songs. It is all memory based and has no moving parts. There are usually smaller in physical size and also smaller in capacity. I believe that flash players max out at about 8 gb of storage space or so. Their advantage is that they are typically cheaper and better able to handle bouncing around (people who want an MP3 player for exercise tend to like flash based players better). Your old iPod Shuffle is a flash based player.> > > > A hard drive based player makes use of a small hard drive for storage, typically along with a buffer. They have moving parts so they are potentially more susceptible to mechanical failure and bounding around (although buffers in most will prevent skipping). They will have larger storage capacity (the video iPod can do 80 gb of storage). They tend to cost more. And they tend to be bigger and heavier than flash based players.Okay, then based on your definitions I would want a flash based player.I had no idea that was what I had with the ipod shuffle. I just plug it into my computer to charge and it's ready.

[smax013]

[quote name='PeggyFair']> > > > I know this may sound silly, but too many people have Apple Ipod, I want something different. LOL. I've always been a rebel against things that "everybody has" even though I started off with an Apple since it was cheap and I knew nothing about mp3 players. I like those offbrand lesser known brands that perform just as well as brand name products.Yeah, it is kind of silly, but that is OK. Everyone has their quirks.My general suggestion would be to go to a local store (even if you don't plan on buying it there) and try some out. I would encourage you to try the current iPods out as well, unless you are DEAD SET against getting one. I would personally select the MP3 player based upon how you like its interface (i.e. how easy it is to use or how you personally like the interface) and its features. Going to a store will allow you to try it out (I believe places like Best Buy have samples out to try).

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='smax013']> {quote:title=PeggyFair wrote:}{quote}> > > > > > > > I know this may sound silly, but too many people have Apple Ipod, I want something different. LOL. I've always been a rebel against things that "everybody has" even though I started off with an Apple since it was cheap and I knew nothing about mp3 players. I like those offbrand lesser known brands that perform just as well as brand name products.> > > > Yeah, it is kind of silly, but that is OK. Everyone has their quirks.> > > > My general suggestion would be to go to a local store (even if you don't plan on buying it there) and try some out. I would encourage you to try the current iPods out as well, unless you are DEAD SET against getting one. I would personally select the MP3 player based upon how you like its interface (i.e. how easy it is to use or how you personally like the interface) and its features. Going to a store will allow you to try it out (I believe places like Best Buy have samples out to try).Thanks for the suggestion, but going to the store won't help me determine the reliability of it. They will all work in the store, I wanted to hear from the techies on this site as to what players they swear by in terms of reliability and durability, ya know, real world day to day experience!:D

[smax013]

Well, if you want my opinion, I am going to tell you to get an iPod! :lol:I personally have had a first gen iPod (5gb hard drive), a 3rd generation 40 gb iPod (still have that one as a "backup") and now a current 80 gb video iPod.Both my parents have iPod nanos (which is Apple's flash based iPod with a screen).Have never had any problems, other than having to replace the battery on the 3rd gen iPod after having it for about 2 years.I will likely get an iPod shuffle that has been waterproofed at some point for use in the pool. A company has managed to water proof them supposedly...I will give it a try at some point...tunes in the water will help A LOT with boredom while swimming.But, you don't want an iPod! :shock: :lol:

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='PeggyFair']I know this may sound silly, but too many people have Apple Ipod, I want something different. LOL. I've always been a rebel against things that "everybody has" even though I started off with an Apple since it was cheap and I knew nothing about mp3 players. I like those offbrand lesser known brands that perform just as well as brand name products.Hi PeggyFair. I was going to hold off on responding to this thread but this post caught my eye. I too like to be different. If you truly want to stand out, get a Microsoft Zune.I indirectly bought one when I went to Best Buy to buy a Creative Zune. Since the batch that they had were defective, they upgraded me to the Zune free of charge. I really enjoy it. At least once a day I get people asking me about my player. If you want to be different, here is your chance.

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='smax013']Well, if you want my opinion, I am going to tell you to get an iPod! :lol:> > > > I personally have had a first gen iPod (5gb hard drive), a 3rd generation 40 gb iPod (still have that one as a "backup") and now a current 80 gb video iPod.> > > > Both my parents have iPod nanos (which is Apple's flash based iPod with a screen).> > > > Have never had any problems, other than having to replace the battery on the 3rd gen iPod after having it for about 2 years.> > > > I will likely get an iPod shuffle that has been waterproofed at some point for use in the pool. A company has managed to water proof them supposedly...I will give it a try at some point...tunes in the water will help A LOT with boredom while swimming.> > > > But, you don't want an iPod! :shock: :lol::P

[PeggyFair]

[quote name='mphenterprises']> {quote:title=PeggyFair wrote:}{quote}I know this may sound silly, but too many people have Apple Ipod, I want something different. LOL. I've always been a rebel against things that "everybody has" even though I started off with an Apple since it was cheap and I knew nothing about mp3 players. I like those offbrand lesser known brands that perform just as well as brand name products.> > > > Hi PeggyFair. I was going to hold off on responding to this thread but this post caught my eye. I too like to be different. If you truly want to stand out, get a Microsoft Zune.> > > > I indirectly bought one when I went to Best Buy to buy a Creative Zune. Since the batch that they had were defective, they upgraded me to the Zune free of charge. I really enjoy it. At least once a day I get people asking me about my player. If you want to be different, here is your chance.They look cool! Never heard of it. I will check it out. Thanks!

[mphenterprises]

My Pleasure 8)