Posted on 08/24/2012 9:08:35 PM PDT by This Just In
I have never owned an mp3 player. Everyone else in my family owns either an Apple or a Sony, but I have yet to invest in one of these electronic devices. Not that I have anything against mp3 players. I've been reading reviews and checking prices for years. I consider it quite an investment to purchase one of these pricey players. I am not about to cough up a large chunk of hard earned cash in order to invest in a device that would last about a year, or one which turns on (or off) at random.
I've discovered that if you buy cheap, you can expect cheap. I've also discovered that the choices aren't that cut and dry.
I don't care for the iPod's or the Sony my family uses. The devices are either too inconvenient or too small.
Here are the mp3 players I've been focusing on:
Apple iPod Nano
Apple iPod Classic
Samsung ZUNE
I've read reviews on other sites, but it's a waste of time to try and wade through the anti-Apple posters, anti-MS crowd, and the legitimate reviews.
I'm hoping Freepers will be able to provide an objective opinion concerning these mp3 players.
I am not interested in gaming features or wifi. I'm looking for simplicity of use in a device as well as quality.
OOPS!
I meant to type:
Microsoft ZUNE.
Apologies.
Don’t know about iPhone, but Android phones can be used without mobile phone service. I ditched my cheap mp3 player after I got my Samsung Galaxy S2 from my mobile provider for free.
ARM 11
You can use an iPhone as an mp3 player without cell service. You can use the wireless function and chat, check email, and surf the net.
I went from an iPod classic to and iPod touch to an iPhone.
My iPhone is also my iPod. I LOVE it. Depending on the size of the memory chip it will hold thousands of songs. Quite simply, best thing ever. I listen to it all the time. Can hook it into external speakers or headphones. Great stuff.
The ZUNE is a dead product.
Thanks, Squawk8888, but I’m not interested in the Android.
An ipod is an iphone without wireless talk. An iphone can be used for Skype calling without a cell plan. Apple mobile devices have been eclipsed by android devices. I think you’re too cheap for either of these options. Get a virginmobile LG android smartphone for $50 and a $35 plan. This can be your music player, as well, but you should get a $50 Sandisk miniplayer. Someone who has been as hesitant as you to adopt technology should just stay out of the pursuit altogether.
Pardon me for my ignorance, but would I load songs just as I would an mp3 player? I’ve learned that assumptions are rarely qualified.
Now I use it for a thumb drive.
Thanks for a half-hearted reply. You’re being presumptuous.
Apple products are more expensive and you can get by with less expensive products. But no popups, trojan viruses, no incessant software updates and I don't have to pay Mcaffe and Symantic and the computer repair guys every year and photoshop works like a dream on this platform which is my main reason for owning a computer. One of the great things still about America is that people can choose where to spend their money. Apple, Microsoft, Linux.
I’m not an apple fan for PC’s (prefer Win and Linux), but as for MP3’s I think IPOD’s the way go. They all work good, so it’s comes down to preference in physical size/weight, storage, and user interface(dial or touch screen)
I’ve been using an iPod Nano for years. I prefer the rectangle old design with the round dial. I used a 2nd gen Nano that I bought 2nd hand on ebay which lasted me 4 years. It still works, but it’s beat to heck, so I decided to spring for newer one last year. I really didn’t like the newer 6th gen small square touch screen version, as I can operate the dial without looking. So I picked up a refurbished 5th gen Nano on ebay this past Dec. Been working great. That’s just my personal preference. I’d personally go with the classic as my 2nd choice.
Info on the generations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Nano
I appreciate the comment. I don’t wish to purchase a cheap mp3 player. it’s been our experience that they don’t last.
Years ago, I paid about $30 for a sandisk mp3/radio for my dad. I had an ipod which didn’t have radio at that time. The sandisk was much simpler to use and sounded just as good. It was like a thumb drive that had an earphone jack. I have 3 ipods but didn’t buy them myself. If I ever need to buy one, it will not be an ipod. Too many proprietary restrictions like how many devices you can connect it to and download restrictions and iTunes capability to delete content it doesn’t recognize as legitimate. I don’t download music anymore but purchase the cd then upload to the ipod because iTunes likes to delete music not purchased through them. ipod cand be used as a thumb drive too, but good luck finding the content you want to take off of it. Lots of hidden and buried drives.
I think a big part of the quality of sound comes from the headphones rather than the device.
Sometimes the “good” stuff is overkill. The content is the same. The player should be easy to use and earphones make the difference in sound. Jmo.
“Someone who has been as hesitant as you to adopt technology should just stay out of the pursuit altogether.”
And I’m communicating and web-surfing via wifi on a laptop. I had no idea this indicates I’m in the dark ages.
We use MS, Dell, and Mac. All of these devices, hardware, software have +’s and -’s, although, we do enjoy the Mac.
I can purchase a brand new iPhone 4 for $50.00, which prompted one of my inquiries.
I was going to say what Craigon said. I’m still using my 3rd gen Nano, and I like it better than my girlfriend’s new one. I mostly listen in the car, and it’s easier to operate than that tiny touchscreen would be.
One thing: if you get an iPod, you’ll have to use iTunes or some other management software to put music on it. The cheaper ones, I think, just work by dragging files to them like they’re a hard disk.
Would I be able to use the iPhone in my vehicle? This is a major selling point.
Relative to developments, you are in the dark ages. But ask around some more. I’ve given you an answer you will understand and will save you hundreds of dollars. You should thank me! :D
We use our iPod shuffle in the vehicle, and so it would seem logical to use the iPhone as well on the aux.
All I wanted was something to playback MP3’s and some radio. SanDisk’s Sansa Clip filled the bill for me. Under 60 bucks, it’s about the size of a matchbook.
A couple of months ago, the plastic clip on the back broke off, so I'm thinking of buying a new one, and the new model is called the "Clip Zip" (v1.1). It's about $39 from New Egg!
Mark
” I don’t download music anymore but purchase the cd then upload to the ipod”
That’s probably a good idea. Something I never thought about before but you can leave the cds to whoever you want when you die. After reading this article I see it’s not so easy with digital purchases.
Microsoft discontinued the Zune.
“You should thank me! :D”
I’ll pass on expressing any gratitude, and reserve the thank you’s for those mature and classy Freepers who deserve a salute for truly helpful advice and input.
Honestly? For me, I like getting something cheap, because I end up being scared sh*tless about breaking things, getting them wet (My son washed his Nano in his pants pocket), or stolen. I have a couple of generic no-name MP3 players that work well. Try them out with some quality name brand earphones before you buy one, or read the reviews.
I can adjust to whatever interface/ecosystem they use, that that doesnt bother me any more.
Costs have come down so far on "smart" and "smart enough" phones, that you can get a great mp3 player and phone in one these days for a good price. Shop around.
Buy this, now. Buy all that you can afford at that price. Keep a few, sell rest for profit. Crazy good deal.
“I appreciate the comment. I don’t wish to purchase a cheap mp3 player. it’s been our experience that they don’t last.”
I have a $20 Sony Mp3 player that I bought maybe 10 years ago. It holds 8 hours of my favorite music and has flown well over half a million miles with me around the world. It has been through europe on maybe 20+ trips and many trips to asia. The number of trips in the US is in the hundreds. If I want new songs, I just switch out the playlist from my laptop. I also keep music on my Android phone as a backup, but rarely use that. I like the Sony because it is extremely small and if I do lose it, I won’t be upset. Sometimes buying cheap is okay.
Several Freepers have mentioned that the Zune is “...a dead product”, and yet these devices are still on the market. My concern is that if I purchase the mp3 player, and for some reason I must return it, will I encounter problems in receiving a refund or replacement?
My children have inadvertently washed their iPods in the washing machine. After drying the devices out, the players work perfectly.
My better half’s Sony, on the other hand, took a dive in a puddle of mud. When the player was dropped it accidentally switched on. The device fried. We had to purchase another one (by request, not by my choice). I do not like the Sony. Not very user friendly. The SanDisks that I’ve read about seem too cheaply made.
Part of the problem is that with digital content, one doesn’t have the same rights as with print books and CDs. Customers own a license to use the digital files—but they don’t actually own them. Apple (US:AAPL) and Amazon.com (US:AMZN) grant “nontransferable” rights to use content, so if you buy the complete works of the Beatles on iTunes, you cannot give the White Album to your son and Abbey Road to your daughter. According to Amazon’s terms of use, “You do not acquire any ownership rights in the software or music content.” Apple limits the use of digital files to Apple devices used by the account holder.
We’ve bought two Sony’s. The first fell into the drink. The device switched on accidentally as it fell out of the case. I’ve used it, and found the player to be user-unfriendly. I’m sure it’s a matter of preference.
Sounds like you picked the winner.
That's a feature, not a bug.
I don't want to have to sign up for or learn to use iTunes or any other software other than the internet, the file system, and whatever player I'm using.
A fellow Freeper is asking for advice on mp3 players and wants to know about whether an Apple iPod or a Microsoft Zune would be a better choice. I could tell him Microsoft has just announced the end of life of the Zune product line, but... Would he believe me? What do you all think?
Swordmaker said:
“I could tell him Microsoft has just announced the end of life of the Zune product line, but... Would he believe me?”
After reading this a moment ago:
“Discontinuation of Zune hardware
On October 3, 2011, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of all Zune hardware, encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone. Later, the announcement was removed and a Zune Support Team member tweeted that the page was added to the website in error. Finally, despite previous denials, the original announcement of the Zune hardware’s discontinuation was restored to the Zune Support site.”
....the answer is yes.
Every iPhone has a full iPod built into it'll and can be used as a full fledged iPod mp3 player, movie and video player, and can be used with all iPod accessories including in your car.
Thanks, Swordmaker, for the helpful comment.
The reviews I have seen on the Clip line indicate the have gotten progressively worse. I have 2 of the original (a 4 and 8GB) and a Clip+ (4GB). The original definitely feels more solid and the clip on it is sturdier.
I also have an Ipod Nano (6th gen), and I love the fact that it interfaces with my car stereo. (Stereo buttons control the Ipod) For running (which I unfortunately can no longer do) I prefer the Clip because I can control it without looking at it. On the Ipod, the only controls that can be adjusted by feel are volume and on-off.
Both are very light - I think the Nano is slightly lighter. The Clip also plays wma, where iPods need to convert them to mp3 or aac. (I had a lot of music in wma - turned out tbe be like betting on Betamax.)
Thanks. Incidentally, that iPhone4 is also a fully functional 1080p HD video camera...
“Incidentally, that iPhone4 is also a fully functional 1080p HD video camera...”
Amazing. Have you used this feature? How’s the quality and functionality?
Zune has been End Of Lifed:
http://betanews.com/2011/03/14/ipod-didn-t-kill-zune-microsoft-did/
Microsoft will tell you to buy a Windows Phone 7 (and soon Windows 8) device if you call them an ask what to get if you want something they will be supporting in Windows 8 (for desktop). Zune is dead and just selling through their massive inventory at this point.
Frequently. I stream it from my iPhone wirelessly to my 55" HDTV and the images are stunning. The video is fantastic and no stuttering. You can edit the video right in the iPhone. That comes free. However for a $5 app, you can get iMovie and do even more. Mixing, adding sounds, cutting and adding other clips, segues,titles, etc.
Also, you can watch Netflix and stream that to your big screen too! If you have a Netflix account... YouTube as well.
Fascinating. Extremely informative comments.
Have to log off for a minute. BRB.
Second the cheapie MP3 players. I’ve got one that cost me less than 20 bucks in 2007. Still runs fine, and I’ve only had to change the AAA battery 3 times in that period. No fancy features, just play, pause, and skip to the next song.
I have several 512MB SD cards for it, each is loaded with a particular playlist of ~ 250 songs each. All the cards, the player, and my earphones fit in a zipcase the size of a wallet.
An MP3 player is simply a music player, NOT a status symbol. . .
If you can get a “brand new” iPhone 4 for $50, and not have to sign up for cell service - do it.
Um, how much storage does it have?
The best listening package for music mp3's and audiobooks at any price. Beats the iStuff seven ways from Sunday.
I wouldn't even consider any player for which Rockbox can't be installed. Freepmail me if you want more info.
Google it ...
Microsoft announced that they are dropping the Zune, and support for it about 16 months ago.
http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/14/r-i-p-microsoft-zune-2006-2011/
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