Ok, I am looking for something decidedly non-iPod.
Here are my requirements, in order of importance:
-Mass storage compliant (ie no drivers required-and I'd prefer for the whole volume to be visible in Windows and not have "music" and "data" segments on the HD ala the new Creative players) this is crucial
-FM tuner this is crucial
-20gb or larger capacity, 30gb or larger is ideal.
-Smalllish size (I can handle something a bit larger than an iPod but not tremendously so. I'd like to keep it smaller than a Palm Tungsten E PDA for sure).
-Reliability & a fairly decent UI. I don't want to do anything esoteric with this thing. I also do not care about DRM compliance. I just want something I can rip my music CD collection to and have it play reliably whenever I need it. Not having to wade through dozens of submenus would be nice too.
I figure it'll be used about 60% as an mp3 player and 40% as a portable hard drive to lug big files between home & work and multiple PCs.
Color screen, voice recorder, video capabilities, USB host functionality, USB trickle charging are all nice but not essentials by any means. Price needs to be under $300 for sure, $250 or less would be ideal.
I am currently looking at the iAudio X5 but it unfortunately requires a proprietary connector to sync/charge. If nothing else appears I still may try to go with one of these. Archos' audio players are nice but they seem to all lack FM tuners.
Right now I am leaning towards the iAudio unless something else is on the horizon...but I'd like to get a player within the next month or two.
Any and all advice & recommendations are appreciated!!
Here are my requirements, in order of importance:
-Mass storage compliant (ie no drivers required-and I'd prefer for the whole volume to be visible in Windows and not have "music" and "data" segments on the HD ala the new Creative players) this is crucial
-FM tuner this is crucial
-20gb or larger capacity, 30gb or larger is ideal.
-Smalllish size (I can handle something a bit larger than an iPod but not tremendously so. I'd like to keep it smaller than a Palm Tungsten E PDA for sure).
-Reliability & a fairly decent UI. I don't want to do anything esoteric with this thing. I also do not care about DRM compliance. I just want something I can rip my music CD collection to and have it play reliably whenever I need it. Not having to wade through dozens of submenus would be nice too.
I figure it'll be used about 60% as an mp3 player and 40% as a portable hard drive to lug big files between home & work and multiple PCs.
Color screen, voice recorder, video capabilities, USB host functionality, USB trickle charging are all nice but not essentials by any means. Price needs to be under $300 for sure, $250 or less would be ideal.
I am currently looking at the iAudio X5 but it unfortunately requires a proprietary connector to sync/charge. If nothing else appears I still may try to go with one of these. Archos' audio players are nice but they seem to all lack FM tuners.
Right now I am leaning towards the iAudio unless something else is on the horizon...but I'd like to get a player within the next month or two.
Any and all advice & recommendations are appreciated!!
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