1 GB MP3 Player!! THE SMALL KIND!!! Under $500

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Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
1greatguy, the manufacturer's specs state 500k transfer rate.

I like AA batteries more than AAA. They hold more juice, and cost less.

The mp3.com review states that Windows sees the unit as just another drive letter. Does this mean you can drag-and-drop from within Explorer? If so, that means it can hold more than just MP3/WMA files (for storage only, not playback). I was thinking of getting a USB CompactFlash card reader for about $30 to transfer digital camera pictures. For $70 more, I get an MP3 player also! If it is capable of this, plus pulls juice from the USB port (saving batteries) this would be perfect. Can anyone confirm this?
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Jeez that was quick. I sent email to the manufacturer asking for more info and they replied after a few hours. Here's the email:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: &quot;frontier labs&quot; <info@frontierlabs.com>

Dear Sir,

When NEX II is hooked to a PC, the power is still drwan from the batteries.
It does not draw any power from the USB. It will appear on your WIndows
Explorer as an external drive (another drive letter). To transfer files to
it, you can just drag &amp; drop. You may transfer any files you want to and
from it, using it as transfer device between PCs.

Thank you.

Customer Support
Frontier Labs.
----- Original Message -----
To: <info@frontierlabs.com>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 8:08 AM
Subject: questions about NEX II


> Hello, I am interested in the NEX II product, but have a few questions.
>
> When hooked up to a computer via USB, does it still need batteries or can
it
> draw power from the USB port?
>
> When hooked up to a computer via USB, does it show up in Windows Explorer
as
> another drive letter? If it does, can it be used to store files besides
MP3
> and WMA? The purpose would be, for instance, to use the device
occasionally
> for transferring files between computers.
>
> Thank you.
 

sigmatic

Member
May 3, 2000
91
0
0
You guys might be interested in knowing that IBM is developing a 6 gb model of the IBM microdrive which will be released later this year. The ZDNet article can be seen here.

I have a Canon Powershot G1 digital camera, and this mp3 player makes me even happier for owning an IBM 512MB Microdrive. Now I'll be able to use that little hard drive for mp3s and pictures. When the 6gb model comes out, I might even get one if I really need it (maybe for really long trips, although I don't know how often I'll be doing those).

The advantage of this MP3 player is that it's small, you can change your mp3s anytime you want and anywhere you want if you have a laptop (the microdrive can be plugged in as a PCMCIA device), and compactflash types I and II will continue to increase size while prices will go down. Granted, you can't beat the cost of a blank CD. CDs usually hold enough space for an mp3 collection, but they can be scrached and take more space. Moreover, you can't rewrite on them (unless your mp3 unit supports CD-RWs of course), and I don't know many people with burners on their laptops.

So yeah, there's pluses and minuses. For me it's a good deal because I already have a microdrive. For others, it might be wiser to just buy a Rio Volt or something similar because it's a lot cheaper. I just like being able to have a small mp3 unit and digicam that use the same media, so I can listen to music and if I see a picture worth taking I can just take it out of the mp3 player and put it in my G1. All things considered, I might buy both a Rio Volt and a NexII. That way I'll be able to stick with my mp3 cds when I go on long trips and transfer them to my microdrive when I just go out for a walk on the town.

So uh, anyone have 250 bones to spare? :)
 

Smack

Member
Oct 11, 1999
157
0
0
According to the linkage, the MSRP is $109. But Musicgadgets (the link from the review) is selling it for $120 + $10 ship. Where is it $100?

Actually, is there anyplace else selling these at all?
 

Willith

Senior member
Dec 30, 2000
365
0
0
Just go to their home page: http://www.frontierlabs.com/NexII.html#Features and then go to the bottom of the page and order now for $99+$15(shipping). I ordered myself one a few days ago and right now it's in customs as I type this. Now, I've been scanning the boards looking for a good CF and can't decide if I want the Viking or Kingston. Have fun....:D
 

davruns

Junior Member
Feb 5, 2001
23
0
0
I got a just barely use almost new 1GB IBM micro drive that I'm willing to part with for $425 shipped!! Check my refs @ ebay.com under the username &quot;shihs@swbell.net&quot; thats also my email.

David Shih
512-431-2118 anytime
shihs@swbell.net

think i got 1 ref @ heatware it would be under &quot;davruns&quot;

thanks guys
 

Technocrat

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2000
1,558
0
76
www.mmsean.com
I have a 340mb Microdrive that I use in my Ipaq and also my G1 and haven't had any problems with it. What a cheap alternative for my Ipaq... hmmm.

Actually I am planning on selling my 340mb to get the 1GB MD at www.newegg.com. Great price and good company.