Best NON iPod MP3

[Kramer]

And as Cindy B mentioned, most people will be able to go years without worrying about replacing their battery.

From the IPOD website:

What is the iPod Battery Replacement Program?

If your iPod requires service only because the battery’s ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will replace your iPod for a service fee of $59, plus $6.95 shipping. Be sure to follow all of the battery troubleshooting steps before submitting your iPod for battery replacement.

If the IPOD is so reliable then why does Apple need an IPOD Battery Replacement Program?

And gee while we at it... I'm so glad Apple will let me pay them only $66 to change a battery... let me write that again because its so totally insane... $66 to CHANGE A BATTERY... yeah, its a great product

 

[kfeuer]

Don't buy an RCA.
I have had problems with my RCA Lycra that I bought last December.
It can not access all the data. I have tried over and over again, re-building the index, and anything else I could find in the trouble shooting guide.
At one point I thought it might be the media card, but I have the same problem using the built in memory.

DH and I both have RCA MP3 players and we've been very satisfied with them. No problems at all, and extremely easy to download music to. We got it for using at the gym, and it's been very adequate for that. I agree with the OP, I wouldn't spend big bucks on an IPod for preteens. I hope by the time my kids are old enough to want one the price will have come down on them!

 

[Onceler]

If the IPOD is so reliable then why does Apple need an IPOD Battery Replacement Program?

And gee while we at it... I'm so glad Apple will let me pay them only $66 to change a battery... let me write that again because its so totally insane... $66 to CHANGE A BATTERY... yeah, its a great product

Look Kramer, it's obvious that you have a personal bias against the iPod. I'm not trying to argue against your personal beliefs. I'm just correcting the false statements that you keep making.

$66 is a bit pricey for a new battery but as I stated before, there are cheaper options. Also, your question about why a battery replacement program is needed is pretty foolish. Most iPod batteries work well for years. But sometimes a bum battery will show up. So Apple created a program to replace any bad ones. Just because a few bad ones exist does not mean that all iPods are unreliable.

The OP asked for opinions about mp3 players. This little spat is not adding any benefit to the discussion so I suggest that it be ended here. If you want to continue arguing against iPods, I would recommend that you head over to the forums at iLounge.com. Over there you will find people who agree with you and people who disagree with you. So you can argue your point as much as you want.

 

[SueM in MN]

Can you tell me how you manage your 4 IPODS on one computer...??
I assume each of the IPODS have totally different music on it.

thanks..

We actually have 3 ipods minis on one computer and a bigger ipod on my oldest DD's own computer.
The itunes library holds all the music and then each person chooses music from the library to add to their playlists. The playlists you choose to put in your folder are the ones that get loaded onto your ipod.
The computer recognizes which ipod is plugged in as soon as you plug it in. The ipod icon even changes based on the color of the ipod - mine is teal, DDH's is silver and my youngest DD's is pink.

 

[Kramer]

Look Kramer, it's obvious that you have a personal bias against the iPod.

No bias here.. just my 2 cents regarding an overpriced and overhyped mp3 player.

$66 is a bit pricey for a new battery but as I stated before, there are cheaper options.

Now you're seeing the light...

The OP asked for opinions about mp3 players. This little spat is not adding any benefit to the discussion so I suggest that it be ended here.

I gave my opinion on mp3 players as requested by the OP. I "suggest" you and the other iPod defenders not take it so personally. If you have an iPod and like it then good for you... tell the OP all about it. But please don't tell me I can't offer an alternate opinion.

 

[MKCP5]

AS the OP I am glad for all opinions on what people own. No one is right or wrong. Thanks to all!

 

[maxaroni]

We've been wrestling with this issue for several weeks. My ds12 doesn't want a iPod nano as several of his friends have them and the screen is scratched and one boy broke his already. We were almost going to get him the full size ipod but then thought better of it because we don't know how much he'll use it and $300.00 is a big chunk of change for 1 gift. Then we were thinking about the shuffle and not sure about that option, either. We decided to go with an iRiver but 512mb....now, it may be small and not hold as many songs but he's 12 and we thought we'd see how much he uses it before we spend more money. We know several kids that only used their MP3 players for a month and got tired of them. I think it all depends on your child and how much music they listen to, as well.

 

[poohj80]

Is the Ipod the only player that will also display photos? If not, any suggestions for alternatives?

Thanks!