Something like an iPod

[Greenman]

My daughter wants an iPod or something like it, any recomendations.

btw, yes I'm lazy, I could spend hours looking, reading and learning, but I trust you guys to know what I need right off the bat.

 

[shortylickens]

Your trust is misplaced.
Without amplifying criteria, we will recommend the stuff that makes us happy, not your girl.

As for something like an iPod: Its called IPOD!
If you dont want one, dont get one.
If you want one, get it.

I have a lot of complaints regarding them, but I will admit they are built well and reasonably easy to use, provided you got no issues with the playlist and syncronizing requirements.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

yea get an ipod. mm like an ipod mini 2gb version. make the little girl happy. no knock offs. it's hip, it's in, and it's nice.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Your trust is misplaced.
With amplifying criteria, we will recommend the stuff that makes us happy, not your girl.

As for something like an iPod: Its called IPOD!
If you dont want one, dont get one.
If you want one, get it.

I have a lot of complaints regarding them, but I will admit they are built well and reasonably easy to use, provided you got no issues with the playlist and syncronizing requirements.

Perhaps in the future if you have nothing to say, saying nothing would be best.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: makoto00
yea get an ipod. mm like an ipod mini 2gb version. make the little girl happy. no knock offs. it's hip, it's in, and it's nice.

I never thought about that, with kids, the name is just as important as what it does.
I thought I might get away without having to spend $300 though. It seems like there should be something cool in the $100 range...

 

[Kakumba]

Heh, its ALL in the name. Seriously, if its not iPod, its not cool seems to be the rule among teenagers (and not just teenagers unfortunately).

Personally, the Zen Vision: M is what its all about, but I think an iPod is the best bet. It hurt me to say that. (Yeah, another anti-iPod person here)

 

[ubercaffeinated]

I think they have 1-2 gig version of the nano which is like 150-180 range. Not sure why anandtech-ers don't like Apple stuff. It's nice.

 

[Kakumba]

its not that I dont like Apple stuff, but the iPod is another example where an inferior product becomes insanely popular for no apparent reason beyond clever marketing, and people deciding that it must be great, and everyone cool has one, ergo you must have one to be cool.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Kakumba
its not that I dont like Apple stuff, but the iPod is another example where an inferior product becomes insanely popular for no apparent reason beyond clever marketing, and people deciding that it must be great, and everyone cool has one, ergo you must have one to be cool.

the iPod isn't necessarily inferior; back in 3G and 4G, the ipod's size was nigh-unrivalable. also the click wheel is still a great control scheme, for some people. personally I prefer creative's touchpad system but that's me. I'm also not an apple fanboy, I just like to defend the other viewpoint.

 

[Kakumba]

Originally posted by: guoziming

Originally posted by: Kakumba
its not that I dont like Apple stuff, but the iPod is another example where an inferior product becomes insanely popular for no apparent reason beyond clever marketing, and people deciding that it must be great, and everyone cool has one, ergo you must have one to be cool.

the iPod isn't necessarily inferior; back in 3G and 4G, the ipod's size was nigh-unrivalable. also the click wheel is still a great control scheme, for some people. personally I prefer creative's touchpad system but that's me. I'm also not an apple fanboy, I just like to defend the other viewpoint.

Fair enough, a good debate is always fun. I will give you that they USED to be the best, and the clickwheel IS still good. However, what matters is whats best NOW. The iPod is (IMO) inferior to other products. There are still no perfect players yet, or even ones close enough that I think that its good enough for me (The Vision: M is closest so far).

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Perhaps in the future if you have nothing to say, saying nothing would be best.

I had plenty to say. You just didn?t like it.
(Which was actually my problem with your initial post.)
Interesting you'd criticize me for something you did and can?t admit to. You wouldn?t happen to be a republican would you?

In an effort to be even more helpful, I'll tell you what I use.
The MSI megaplayer 521.
Small. Good audio. Powerful battery. Reasonable price if you can find it. But like so many other consumer electronics, its difficult to find after a year or so. Music can be syncronized or simply copied over.
I'd recommend any MSI product simply because they focus on quality and features as opposed to a cute case.

 

[keeleysam]

Get her a 1GB iPod nano.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Greenman
Perhaps in the future if you have nothing to say, saying nothing would be best.

I had plenty to say. You just didn?t like it.
(Which was actually my problem with your initial post.)
Interesting you'd criticize me for something you did and can?t admit to. You wouldn?t happen to be a republican would you?

In an effort to be even more helpful, I'll tell you what I use.
The MSI megaplayer 521.
Small. Good audio. Powerful battery. Reasonable price if you can find it. But like so many other consumer electronics, its difficult to find after a year or so. Music can be syncronized or simply copied over.
I'd recommend any MSI product simply because they focus on quality and features as opposed to a cute case.

Interesting how you took my simple statement, made it into an issue, then blamed me for it. You wouldn?t happen to be a democrat would you?

Back on topic. My question was vague because I know very little about the subject. My hope was that two or three of you good fellows would have a pretty clear understanding of whats out there, and offer a couple options.

shortylickens, the MSI megaplayer sounds interesting, I'll poke around and see what I can find. I'm not as happy with MSI as you seem to be, I've had two MSI products and both failed, and when I RMA'd a dead video card they sent me back a dead video card. Not the best service I've ever had. I'd be willing to try them again if the reviews are good though. Thanks for info.

 

[shortylickens]

Actually I'm not.
I'm a Libertarian.

As for the MSI issue, I've only had a motherboard or two from them and they worked great for me. For about 6 months. Then I saw a DFI board and said "fvck 'em, I'm gettin a LANParty!"

If it helps, they have a completely different group of folks making their audio products.
And for the love of god, dont order something like that directly from the company. Go through a reputable online retailer and get their warranty.
It might seem that NewEgg (or whoever) charges too much for their own special coverage, but its worth it the long run. Especially for storage devices. (Audio/Video Players, Memory Sticks, Hard Drives and such.)

Truth be told, I found my mega-player from an online place in England. I managed to buy it there and have it shipped here for less money than a US retailer.

 

[Kougar]

Originally posted by: Kakumba
its not that I dont like Apple stuff, but the iPod is another example where an inferior product becomes insanely popular for no apparent reason beyond clever marketing, and people deciding that it must be great, and everyone cool has one, ergo you must have one to be cool.

I agree...

Is this mp3 player for music she plans to buy off iTunes, or ripped from her own CDs? Does it need to play video or have a LCD screen?

Personally, I'd skip the iPod and go for the best bang for the buck, which appears to be a 4gb Sandisk Sansa mp3 flash player for $150, the same price as a 1gb iPod Nano. You also get a FM tuner, longer battery life off a replacable single AAA battery, and a mic for whatever good the mic is worth. And it would be "Play For Sure" labled, also unlike an iPod. Linky: SanDisk: Sansa 4GB m260 The only thing a large LCD display would do is kill the battery life, and iPods seem to have enough cosmetic issues I'd rather have one less thing to worry about anyway.

But again, this would be me. I bought a 512mb Sandisk player three years back and it's still going strong, even if the audio quality could be a little better on my particular model.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Greenman
Perhaps in the future if you have nothing to say, saying nothing would be best.

I had plenty to say. You just didn?t like it.
(Which was actually my problem with your initial post.)
Interesting you'd criticize me for something you did and can?t admit to. You wouldn?t happen to be a republican would you?

In an effort to be even more helpful, I'll tell you what I use.
The MSI megaplayer 521.
Small. Good audio. Powerful battery. Reasonable price if you can find it. But like so many other consumer electronics, its difficult to find after a year or so. Music can be syncronized or simply copied over.
I'd recommend any MSI product simply because they focus on quality and features as opposed to a cute case.

You're a moron.

 

[imported_Questar]

Originally posted by: keeleysam
Get her a 1GB iPod nano.

Agreed.

Easy to use, inexpensive, piles of accesories available (this is more important than most people think). And it just works.

And all her friends have one also. Don't want her to face the ridicule of being the odd one out.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Looney

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: Greenman
Perhaps in the future if you have nothing to say, saying nothing would be best.

I had plenty to say. You just didn?t like it.
(Which was actually my problem with your initial post.)
Interesting you'd criticize me for something you did and can?t admit to. You wouldn?t happen to be a republican would you?

In an effort to be even more helpful, I'll tell you what I use.
The MSI megaplayer 521.
Small. Good audio. Powerful battery. Reasonable price if you can find it. But like so many other consumer electronics, its difficult to find after a year or so. Music can be syncronized or simply copied over.
I'd recommend any MSI product simply because they focus on quality and features as opposed to a cute case.

You're a moron.

Well, I suppose I could dazzle the AT community with my mastery of the English language by succinctly saying nothing useful or use any supporting arguments, but you've already beaten me to the punch.
(EDIT: Perhaps you should run for congress. I hear they're a little low on useless assholes this week. :thumbsup: )

 

[CKent]

Why so hostile?

Anyway, while I personally wouldn't touch an Apple product with a 10 foot pole (unless explosives were on the far end of said pole), fashion > all for most kids and/or females, so it's probably your best bet. And I have to begrudgingly admit that while quality and efficiency are sacrificed, itunes is the only realistically useable ripping, listening and player-loading software for probably 99% of the population, which generally isn't interested in the finer points of computer operation. As for which particular model, I'd say one of the flash-based ones (iShuffle?); they're cheaper and more durable. This is all assuming she falls into the majority; if she's an audiophile or an avid computer user then it might not be the best option.

 

[Greenman]

I just knew there would be a lot more to it than which one works the best. What she would need is something to play mp3's, 95% of them ripped from cd's, others would be from whatever online vender has the best deal. No videos. The Ipod name isn't that big of a deal, but whatever it is has to be small. Quality is always the best value, so it should be well made. I'd rather pay an extra $50 now than have to buy a new one in six months. I don't think ease of use for ripping and loading mp3's is a problem, she figured out how to do flash anamations and build her own website, so I'm going to guess getting a few songs into an mp3 player won't be a problem.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your help.

 

[Kougar]

Sure thing... although now that you said that I would really suggest that Sandisk Sansa 260m 4gB! I can't say how small 512mb of space on my own sandisk player really is, but if she listens to alot of music I'd fully point you to anything 2gb or 4gb in size. Mine has been very durable, and they are both the same size... any electronics store should have the Sandisk player I linked to shown as a floor model, if not the same 4gb model.

Let us know how things work out, whatever ya decide upon