Another "Which Mp3 player to buy" thread

[slayer202]

I am in the market for an mp3 player. Previously, all I have had was a 512 MB "xx" brand player. I want a 30+ gig most likely, unless there is something else with 16 or so, I may be able to manage.

First, no ipods. I don't like the way they look or work.

I think that leaves me with either a microsoft zune, or creative ZEN Vision M.

Both look pretty good to me, so I am looking for personal opinions. I've checked old threads, and newegg, and a few other sites, but still looking for more opinions.

I also hear that new models will be coming out soon for christmas? Any official word on dates, specs, etc?

 

[theawddone]

Take a look at the Cowon HD (not sure of capacity) one, a lot of people like them best.

 

[MadAmos]

I love my Sansa e260 for music and podcasts, but even in the 8gig model it is not even close to what you are looking for :frown:. If you are after more storage for video, the Zune should at least be better for watching them than the much smaller screen on the Zen . YYMV

Amos

 

[slayer202]

I am heavily leaning towards the zune. However, I want to see what they are coming out with in the near future. I am guessing more storage, but not sure what else. Not sure if it would be anything I would really need.

Anywhere I can get the current zune(with warranty) for less than $208 + $6 shipping at newegg?

 

[TheDrake]

Check out this. It comes in 16GB and is pretty darn thin with a nice screen. Not sure if these are available in the US or how much they are, but its the new product from creative. It even has the SD Card slot so you can add on and transfer easily.

 

[Stoneburner]

I would say archos 605 30 gb version. They are thinner now and are all touch screen.

I've heard Cowon is coming out with 16gb flash versions of their players.

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
I would say archos 605 30 gb version. They are thinner now and are all touch screen.

I've heard Cowon is coming out with 16gb flash versions of their players.

I was never a fan of the widescreen sideways players, but that archos one looks really nice!

 

[Stoneburner]

Well its the highest rated player on Cnet, it's an excellent audio player if you dont care about video, and it has touch screen. The other brand i've heard alot of good things about (in the hard drive based mp3 player market) is the toshiba gigabeat. IT's more of an mp3 focused player. But I'd look into the 605 before looking at the Zune.

 

[slayer202]

A couple things holding be back from buying the archos.

First, it costs more than the zune. This wouldn't be a problem if there werent other setbacks:

Having to buy additional video codecs + web browsers. Can't find a price on their website, but I have read $15 and $20 at other sources.

It is bigger/heavier than the zune

I read a couple times that the archos support is not great

I think I'm back to either the zune or creative zen W, instead of M. The zen W is quite big also though :/

 

[dnuggett]

What about the ipods now after the refresh?

 

[Stoneburner]

Y eah, i've heard negatives about archos customer support too. You may want to look at the toshiba gigabeat, everybody who has one loves it and the zune is roughly based on it. I've also heard good things about most Cowon players.

 

[pdaunt]

Ive went through the Zune and iPod

Zune- radio is sensitive to interferance, and the Wi-Fi is i think pointless, doesnt use wmp to sync bummer even tho its a microsoft product. it is a bigger screen then the ipod classic

ipod- well the new ones blow the zune out of the water.
well the touch only has 16gb at the most but its just like the iphone but with out the phone that goes for $399 (including full wi fi with web and youtube)
regular ipod (classic) goes to 160gb :Q

so as of right now i belive the ipods blow the zune out of the water

 

[slayer202]

Every player seems to have its strong points, but none are perfect lol. I need to see the creative zen W in person. Depending on the size, I might go with that. If not, not sure what I want to do. Smaller would take away most of the widescreen players, leaving me with the zune or zen M again