Best NON iPod MP3

[jay-nee]

Dell Pocket DJ. It's awesome and holds more than 1000 songs easily. I think it's supposed to hold like 2500 songs.

It was a gift, but I think it cost $149. ALOT more features than the iPod shuffle at about the same price.

Good luck! I'm sure they'll love whatever you get them!

Happy Sunday!

 

[OKW Lover]

Not really true... there are several brands that are just as easy to use and just as reliable as an IPOD... and more importantly - CHEAPER!

Please enlighten us. Which ones specifically, how much memory do they have, what software do you need for your computer and how much do they cost?

 

[Princess Nancy]

We have creative Zens at our home. You can download unlimited songs on Napster for $14.99 a month. THey are both happy with them, althoguh even though they did not care about Ipod, sometimes they do now. They got more for their $ with the Zen which is why they chose that.

 

[bengalbelle]

I have a three year old iRiver MP3 player (model iFP180T)...it's an antique now ...never had any problems with it and has great sound quality. It only holds 3-4 CDs worth of music on it though.

Best Buy has an iriver on sale this week for $109.00. Here's the link to it at amazon with the customer reviews. I don't know anything about the irivers, just thought I'd mention it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...6068?v=glance&n=541966&n=507846&s=pc&v=glance

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We couldn't get the ipod according to DH because it needed Windows millenium or another specific version which we didn't have on our computer.
He got Ctreative Zen Micro. ~150 with rebate at Buy.com recently.

 

[SueM in MN]

70% of the MP3 players sold are ipods.
85% of the legal MP3 music downloads from the internet are made form the itunes site.

We couldn't get the ipod according to DH because it needed Windows millenium or another specific version which we didn't have on our computer.

iTunes is the music managment software that you need to use an ipod.
According to the apple download page for itunes , here are the Windows Requirements:
Windows XP or 2000 (latest service packs recommended)
500 MHz Pentium class processor or better
QuickTime 7.0.3 (included)
256MB RAM
Supported CD-R or DVD-R drive to burn CDs
Broadband Internet connection (DSL/Cable/LAN) for buying and streaming music

 

[eileenkeeney]

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.

I am going to buy the new Disney player IF (and only IF) it gets decent reviews once people start actually buying and using these.
I almost bought the Disney DVD player, until I read the user reviews, and at that time decided that while cute, the quality was not comparable with the price.
I am really hoping that the MP3 players turn out to have quality comparable to other players in the same price range. I really like the look of these players.

 

[Kramer]

Please enlighten us.

How do you define reliable? If by reliable you mean things like paying $100 to have Apple replace your battery or having to sue Apple because the screen on your Nano got scratched up 10 minutes after you bought it and Apple customer service told you to take a hike then yes... by all means go with an IPOD.

Which ones specifically, how much memory do they have, what software do you need for your computer and how much do they cost?

Without even getting into true MP3 players, let me offer a VERY low cost, simple to use, and reliable alternative to the IPOD that requires NO software for your computer. Now most people will reject the idea I'm about to suggest because IPODs are trendy and neat and the Jones family next door has one so everyone else has to have one too... but hang in there with me for a minute...

People claim they buy an IPOD to listen to music... I remember when I was ten we had a device that achieved the same goal - a Discman. You can buy them nowadays for... ohhh.. somewhere around the proximity of zero dollars. Discmans worked fine back in the day. Now that there is better technology, and all of a sudden Discmans are worthless. But why? Discmans never got worse, technology got better. Worthless technology. The concept is to listen to music with no strings attached. Discmans accomplish this just fine.

The iPod is capable of holding ten thousand songs. Who needs that much? Of the thirteen million iPod owners in the world, how many have actually maxed out the space? The Discman uses CDs which hold twenty songs. Perhaps you don't want to carry 100 CDs everywhere you go. Oh wait! Discmans play mp3s now! That's 200 songs per CD! And unlike an iPod that maxes out at 10,000, Discmans have a removable source. So if we have 200 songs per CD and potentially infinite CDs, that's.. umm.. 200 infinity of songs?

Now that the memory issue is settled, perhaps a Discman isn't the answer because you require more than 3 seconds of anti-skip. Oh wait! Discmans nowadays don't ever skip!

Let's put this into perspective... all humor aside. IPODs are great but so are a lot of other cheaper MP3 players (like Creative). IPODs are a big status symbol right now. Many people don't know an MP3 from a hole in the ground, but they have to have an IPOD because everyone else has one. I just thought I would put my .02 in to let others know that they don't have to be sucked in by the IPOD hype and they can spend less money for a comparable player.

 

[arminnie]

Not really true... there are several brands that are just as easy to use and just as reliable as an IPOD... and more importantly - CHEAPER!

And much smaller in terms of physical size. My sister and I just took a road trip. Her $500 iPOD is about 4 times larger than my Rio. It also has more storage space, but I don't use a fraction of my 1G Rio.

I wouldn't be comfortable sitting down with the iPOD in my pocket - too big.

 

[coolwatup]

To borrow a line from Porsche adds of old:

"iPod - there is no substitute"

Seriously, don't bother with the others. Nothing beats an iPod for ease of use and reliability.

i agree

 

[ladysoleil]

Please enlighten us. Which ones specifically, how much memory do they have, what software do you need for your computer and how much do they cost?

Sure- I'm all about my Dell DJ. Cheaper than the iPod. Often on sale through Dell. 512 (ditty), 5 GB (Pocket DJ), 30 GB for Dell DJ. Runs great under Windows, plays MP3 and Windows Media files, works with Napster, Napster To Go, Yahoo Music, and most services that aren't iTunes.

List prices go from $99-299, but coupon codes for Dell are easy to find, so that varies pretty widely, and they often have them in the Dell Outlet as well.

Given a choice between an iPod shuffle or the Dell Ditty (the tiny pocket player) for a Windows user, I'd vote on the Ditty, hands down. Same price as the Shuffle, but it has a display screen and an FM radio.

I already have the older model 20G DJ, and it's been great- reliable, never need to reset it, installed easily, great battery life, holds a lot of music (I've got about 2500 songs on it now, it's about half full), and it's quite sturdy. I dropped mine off a ladder by accident and it still works just fine. I'm seriously considering purchasing the Ditty to use as a backup when I'm going to the gym or go on shorter bus trips when I might like to listen to the radio but want some of my own music as well. It's a bit bigger than the iPod, but I don't find it significantly inconvenient, it fits fine in my smallish handbag and my jacket or shirt pocket. It's a heck of a lot easier than the Discman and 24 CD book I used to tote around with me all the time!

My husband has an iPod photo, and we've compared and traded players- he actually likes my Dell better than his pod- he *hates* the scroll wheel on the iPod and thinks my Dell is easier to navigate. I also like the blue backlighting on the Dell, I think my display is easier to read than his. Your mileage may vary.

The only thing I will say that isn't comparable is that you do need to install a driver to use the DJ as a pocket hard drive. I don't think this is a critical flaw, but if you intend to use it for that as well, it's good to know.

IMHO, the iPod isn't a bad product, but it is trendy and overpriced, and there are good options out there for people who don't want to be a part of the Cult of the White Headphones. If I thought they were that evil, I wouldn't have bought one for my husband, but the iPod is not the only product out there that's of decent quality.

 

[Onceler]

How do you define reliable? If by reliable you mean things like paying $100 to have Apple replace your battery

Apple does not charge $100 for a battery replacement. If an iPod battery goes bad within the warranty period it will be replaced for free. If a battery needs to be replaced after the warranty expires, the cost is $59. There are also other places you can go to get replacement batteries for as little as $30.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

We have three creative muvo n200 and mine went thru the wash and my nephew's spent the night outside in a down pour (he lost it and it was later returned) They work great still. I could not believe it when it came out of the washer and still worked

I second that. My son has one too and he uses his to record interviews (school paper) and has lots of music on it. He paid like 69.00 for it about a year and a half ago. It is the size of a bic lighter. Trust me I do not care what they say when you buy an IPOD you pay quite a bit for the name. This thing will not die and he has abused it each of the day of the last year and a half!!

 

[Anne34]

We also have a Dell DJ 20G and really like it a lot. My daughter has a ipod mini and I feel that the Dell is easier to use and has a lot more storage for less money. I think it depends on who the player is for -- a kid usually likes the ipod for the "coolness".

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

:
Windows XP or 2000 (latest service packs recommended)

Thanks Sue
I keep asking Dh why i can't get an IPOD and he keeps explaining that we don't have either of these. The IPOD sounds easier for a non computerperson.

 

[HaleyB]

I am a huge fan of the ipod. We have had five now (two we sold to upgrade to bigger ones) so we currently own 3. That is one for me, one for DH, and one for DS who is 18. My two other kids have discman style CD players (like someone else here suggested) and they are thrilled with them. $20 for the entry level CD player. No software, they have never lost them, they can use them easily (even my 7 year old has one). Oh sure, they would love ipods, they would love a cell phone too, and lap tops, and lots of other such things.

If it must be an Mp3 player than the chances are they will not be happy with anything but an ipod. I remember being a kid and wanting a very specific brand of jeans. My Mom tried to get me a cheaper knock off and I never wore tham. Better to not have any than to have the 'wrong' brand.

If I were to buy an ipod for a younger person I would get the shuffle for $99. 1gb is more than enough room. You can easily and quickly change out the play list. And the songs will play in the play list order you decide on if you want.

 

[Cindy B]

Apple does not charge $100 for a battery replacement. If an iPod battery goes bad within the warranty period it will be replaced for free. If a battery needs to be replaced after the warranty expires, the cost is $59. There are also other places you can go to get replacement batteries for as little as $30.

I"ve never had an issue with the battery either. No problem at all. That is an old myth about old generation Ipods.

 

[Kramer]

Apple does not charge $100 for a battery replacement. If an iPod battery goes bad within the warranty period it will be replaced for free. If a battery needs to be replaced after the warranty expires, the cost is $59. There are also other places you can go to get replacement batteries for as little as $30.

Add shipping and insurance to and from Apple and you are near $100.

 

[disneyred]

We have 4ipods in our house and like them very much.
The software that comes with the ipods is very easy to download to. And, you don't have to spend anything to download music to it if you already have CDs of the music you want on the ipod. You just put the CDs into the CD ROM and the itunes software downloads the songs (with the titles, etc) into your itunes library. Very easy.

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..

 

[Onceler]

Add shipping and insurance to and from Apple and you are near $100.

Wrong again Kramer. The shipping is $7 which brings the total to $66. Still a little pricey compared to other available options but not the $100 that you keep claiming. And as Cindy B mentioned, most people will be able to go years without worrying about replacing their battery.

Apple Battery Replacement Details


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