15GB iPod vs. 30GB Nomad Zen Xtra

[fwtong]

I recently got a 30GB Nomad Zen Xtra. But, I'm not sure if I should keep it, or sell it and get an iPod. I did some checking around, and the 30GB Nomad Zen Xtra retails for about $270, about the same price as a 15GB iPod, with Academic discount. I don't know how the sound quality compares between the two.

I did come up with a short list of the pros and cons of each.

Nomad Zen Xtra 30GB
Pros:
2x storage capacity then the iPod (although space isn't that big of an issue right now, I have nowhere near 15GB of music)
I already have it
Already has all the accessories that I need: case and USB cable
Removable Battery
Can be used with multiple computers (really handy as I have both a laptop and a desktop)
Cons:
doesn't have nearly as many features as an iPod
Only works with PCs
Not compatible with iTunes


iPod 15GB
Pros:
More features then the Nomad Zen
Syncs with iTunes, which I already use
Compatible with Macs and PCs (you never know when that will come in handy!)
Cons:
I have to buy extra accessories, USB Cable or Firewire PCI card, case, which will increase the cost significantly
Selling the Nomad Zen Xtra is a hassle and I'm a lazy person
Battery is not removable and replacement cost is significant
Can only be synced with 1 computer

Right now, I'm leaning towards keeping the Nomad Zen because I'm a lazy person and I'm not going to be using it as my primary music source. If I wasn't such a lazy person and would use it as my primary music source, I'd definately go through all the trouble to sell it, pay a little extra to get the iPod. But, if the iPod is so much more superior then the Nomad Zen Xtra that it's worth the extra cost and trouble, then I'll get that instead of keeping the Nomad Zen Xtra.

 

[0roo0roo]

well the zen is gigantic

 

[MDFusion]

keep the zen the sound quality is better unless u have the stock headphones
also the ipod is not that much smaller than the Zen

 

[0roo0roo]

its half the volume of the zen. so its definetly much smaller.

 

[BoomAM]

As much as i like my iPod, i`d say keep the ZenX. Its still a more than capible MP3 player. So why waste a little money?
FTY. 15Gb iPods are no longer available, they have been replaced with a 20Gb model, for the same price.

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: BoomAM
As much as i like my iPod, i`d say keep the ZenX. Its still a more than capible MP3 player. So why waste a little money?
FTY. 15Gb iPods are no longer available, they have been replaced with a 20Gb model, for the same price.

The 10GB was just replaced with a 15GB model.

So the availible sizes are 4GB (mini-ipod) 15GB, 20GB and 40GB

 

[BoomAM]

Ah.
Didnt know that.
Hav`nt been around iPod websites for a bit.

 

[mindmaniac]

I'd stick with your Zen Xtra, sounds like a real nice machine. I have a 3rd gen 15gb iPod and rarely use it for music, but I do like to use it for file storage. I like yours since it is more of a plug and play and doesn't have all of the Apple proprietory software on it to prevent such things.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: mindmaniac
I have a 3rd gen 15gb iPod and rarely use it for music, but I do like to use it for file storage.

Huh?
Why by a jukebox music player, and then mostly use it for data storage?
Would it not have been far cheaper to buy something like a MuVoNX & An external HD?
Strange...

 

[metalmania]

ipod has more features? only because it supports itunes? come on, Zen is far more better than ipod.

 

[Eug]

Well, I think the iPod is nicer than the Zen, but if you already have a Zen that does the job then just keep the Zen.

 

[Sid59]

imma get the ipod because it the GUI and feel of the ipod is better than the zen. i can't stand looking at the zen.

 

[Bryans]

Originally posted by: metalmania
ipod has more features? only because it supports itunes? come on, Zen is far more better than ipod.

iPOD:

smaller with a sleek attractive design.

Better menu system with more intuitive controls.

Compatable with iTunes store.

Zen:

more capacity.

removable battery

You just have to decide which would be "more better" for your needs and desires.

Also: I have had no problem using my iPOD with my laptop and desktop, you may want to look into that more if its something you would like to do.

 

[randomlinh]

just keep the zen if you're lazy but if the size matters, go for the ipod. I've had the chance to use both the dell and iriver HD players... all i can say is the UI of the ipod has spoiled me silly. the iriver's size is nice, thicker, but more elongated (not sure how they compare volumewise), but i still would rather have the ipod.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Bryans

Originally posted by: metalmania
ipod has more features? only because it supports itunes? come on, Zen is far more better than ipod.

iPOD:

smaller with a sleek attractive design.

Better menu system with more intuitive controls.

Compatable with iTunes store.

Zen:

more capacity.

removable battery

You just have to decide which would be "more better" for your needs and desires.

Also: I have had no problem using my iPOD with my laptop and desktop, you may want to look into that more if its something you would like to do.

1 year arrenty on the ipod too, only 60 (maybe 90) for the zen.

1 year is "more better"

 

[bigpow]

Wow... how many trolls in this thread?

Let's see... 1 year warranty is better... let me ask you this, how many times do you actually need the warranty?
C'mon... this ain't no Ford MP3 player.

iTunes? yeah right... if you're one of those people who never even heard of defrag.exe! Walmart.com has the same songs for 88c ea.

fwtong, why don't you do this, buy Zen from local B&M, then just go to Apple store and compare them yourself (with your own MP3 files).
Return the Zen if you like iPOD, etc...etc...

I wouldn't trust these "experts" comments.

(nobody even mention the Zen has a sound processor - a la soundblaster EAX, how about do a google on "iPOD dead battery"?)

 

[drag]

I thought the EAX thing was just for special effects in games and stuff.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: drag
I thought the EAX thing was just for special effects in games and stuff.

shhh .. he's an expert.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: bigpow
I wouldn't trust these "experts" comments.

I take it your refering to comments by both iPod owners and Zen owners in this thread?
If so, then the`d be more of an expert on the matter than someone who doesnt own one.

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: bigpow

I wouldn't trust these "experts" comments.

(nobody even mention the Zen has a sound processor - a la soundblaster EAX, how about do a google on "iPOD dead battery"?)

Oh wow, I guess you're an "expert" then too.

 

[mrgoblin]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
well the zen is gigantic

Neither. Return it and use cds which will save you alot more money in the long run considering a 50 pack of cd-rs are cheap and I doubt ure the one to go spending 270 bucks on cd-rs by the time ure player gets outdated and ones the size of the creativo muvo hold 16 gigs (id imagine by 2006)

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: bigpow
(nobody even mention the Zen has a sound processor - a la soundblaster EAX,

The Zen does have a sound processor. Thats how it does the MP3 decoding and the EAX effects.

how about do a google on "iPOD dead battery"?)

Hows about keeping up with current affairs. The dead battery thing is false. Onlt excessive charging and discharging (like 5-6 times a day, complete recharges and discharges), will cause the problem, for 99.9% of people with iPods, their batterys will last for 5+ Years.

 

[erikistired]

*the following is my opinion*

i had an ipod for about a week. i ended up returning it (only 10gb, and my music collection has topped 500 cds). i used it mainly in my truck, to listen to music through the tape deck. at that point the 10gb ipod was 300 dollars, and i just got an in-dash cd player that plays mp3s for 150. the cost just didn't justify having an ipod, which is these days more of a status thing than anything performance related.

edit: added the opinion disclaimer.

btw, the nomad has a 3 month warranty, just to clarify the guesses in the posts above.

 

[fwtong]

Thanks for everyone's opinion. I think I'm just going to use the Zen for now. I just don't want to go through the hassle of selling it and then turning around to buy an ipod. I'm probably only going to use it for only about a year and a half anyways. It's only going to be used mainly when I'm studying. It's really handy to have a jukebox to play mp3s instead of always having to turn on my laptop for the sole purpose of listening to mp3s or cds. After I graduate, I won't have much of a use for it anymore.

Although, I have to admit, I'd rather use an ipod, that jog dial just isn't the greatest thing in the world to use to navigate menus.

 

[Paulson]

Originally posted by: bigpow
Wow... how many trolls in this thread?

Let's see... 1 year warranty is better... let me ask you this, how many times do you actually need the warranty?
C'mon... this ain't no Ford MP3 player.

iTunes? yeah right... if you're one of those people who never even heard of defrag.exe! Walmart.com has the same songs for 88c ea.

fwtong, why don't you do this, buy Zen from local B&M, then just go to Apple store and compare them yourself (with your own MP3 files).
Return the Zen if you like iPOD, etc...etc...

I wouldn't trust these "experts" comments.

(nobody even mention the Zen has a sound processor - a la soundblaster EAX, how about do a google on "iPOD dead battery"?)

Well, I'm going to pick out comments that help prove you are a complete dumbass.

1.. 1 year warranty over 90 day warranty. Let's see here, it's got a hard drive in it, it's got lots of little parts that could fail. Boy I wonder which one I'd rather have for piece of mind. 90 days just isn't enough.

2. iTunes.... I don't really like it, but I don't think he was referring to the way you buy music, just the way you transfer it... which iTunes is much better than musicmatch.

3. Yes, lets buy things only to return them and get charged for shipping/restocking fee. Idiot!

4. You wouldn't know what an expert comment is even if it hit you right smack on the head!

5. oh my! EAX... guess what, I have a soundblaster audigy and I hate EAX... it's only good if you're using it in games. iPods come with an equalizer... good enough for me. I'm sorry but I don't enjoy listening to fake 5.1 over headphones, and I don't enjoy listening to echo effects in my favorite songs. AND your comment about the battery. If you bothered to keep up on the issues, you'd realize that apple offers a somewhat affordable way of replacing the battery. (personally I think it's still too much).

There, those are my 5 reasons you know nothing but stupidity.