MP3 reccomendations

[dzorn]

Considering getting the DD's(8&10) MP3 for Christmas. What would you suggest? They have cheapies that they listen too but the sound quality if not very good. The also love listening to books on tape. This would be the one big gift they get.

We did walk buy the nanos at Walmart and I asked them if it is something they would like for christmas. The each picked a color and youngest DD said not to worry about the price since Santa always brings the expensive stuff we get the cheap stuff from you!

Denise in MI

 

[Darcy03231]

I bought DS an Itouch for Xmas. Keep watching the sales. I got it at Toys R Us for $190 and it came with a $25 Toys R Us gift card and a $15 Itunes gift card.

 

[bwolfe]

Both of my boys (5 & 7) have a nano. They have taken great care of them and use them a lot.

 

[benolathe]

I would recommend the iPod Touch, or the Nano. Both are great devices. The Touch has a much larger screen, and many more capabilities - syncing calendar, contacts, email, plus all the Apps available on the iTunes App Store. Of course, the Touch is a larger device than the Nano. The size of the Nano is really nice. Depends on the maturity level of your kids and what you think they need. Apple.com has good info on the capabilities and features of each iPod model.

BTW, you can purchase re-furbished iPods at apple.com that come with a full warranty. They look "good as new" but cost a little less.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

We gave my DS the Disney Cars one. The most important thing is to get earphones with lower volume levels. Toys R Us sells them. They will not go super loud and help the kids to not blare them (Like we all did as kids) and ruin their hearing.

Keep an eye on sites like woot.com and other one day deal sites since they run specials on MP3 players a LOT!

 

[dfchelbay]

Considering getting the DD's(8&10) MP3 for Christmas. What would you suggest? They have cheapies that they listen too but the sound quality if not very good. The also love listening to books on tape. This would be the one big gift they get.

We did walk buy the nanos at Walmart and I asked them if it is something they would like for christmas. The each picked a color and youngest DD said not to worry about the price since Santa always brings the expensive stuff we get the cheap stuff from you!

Denise in MI

I would go with the Nano for their ages. If you get the Ipod Touch, you get less storage space. If they like the Audio books, go for the larger storage that the Ipods have. One book can be ten to twenty or more cds long that all have to go on the Ipod to listen to. No sense skimping on storage space. I have the Ipod Classic and love it. I'd wait a little while to purchase them though. Watch the sales and wait for coupons and huge discounts that should be coming in the next month or so.

 

[dzorn]

I think I am still leaning toward a refurb nano. For the ages I think the touch is too much money and would worry about them losing them. Though they have been pretty good with their nintendo ds.

Does anyone have a Zune and how do they compare?

I will try to wait till closer to christmas for the warranty to last as long as possible, but want to chose so I know what to check ads for.

Denise in MI

 

[Broadway Duchess]

Does anyone have a Zune and how do they compare?

I've had my Zune for about 2 years and I love it. I got it because iPod was the only game in town and I wanted to see what Microsoft was bringing to the table. We bought DS10 one for his birthday last year in May and he uses it all the time.

The sound is great and my screen is a good size for watching movies. DS's is smaller capacity, but he has no video downloads so that isn't an issue. The Zune Marketplace is really easy to use, but it does operate on Microsoft points which are used to purchase media. The Marketplace is expanding its movie/video choices; music selection is very large. The only drawback for you might be the selection in videos, which is not nearly as large as what's available for iPod. DS is mainly about his music, so the Zune works out well for us.

 

[crazelion]

I am be the different voice . I say get them Sansa mp3 players. They is great I have 5 sansa and one ipod. Believe or not ipod gets rarely use.

The kids and my love there Sansa. They is so easy to use. I love drag and drop feature.

 

[dzorn]

Just thought I would bump this up to get more opinions.

Denise in MI

 

[corie161]

My kids have a Creative Zen and like them. They have a nice size screen for video viewing. They aren't really heavy users so this works for them.

 

[Irin997]

Just wanted to let you know that my DD8 got a cheapy $20 mp3 player last year for Christmas and originally the sound quality was terrible....HOWEVER, I tossed the crappy headphones that come with and bought a $10 pair from Target and the sounds quality was MUCH MUCH better. The only downside to the mp3 player she has is that it runs off of a AAA battery that is gone in an hour or two. The fact that the iPod is rechargeable is great.

Personally I have the 80g iPod Classic and ADORE it! I got it two years ago for Christmas and I use it almost every day. I currently have about 2000 songs and like 20 movies or so and still have tons of room for more.

 

[dzorn]

I tried several different head phones and the sound quality is just not there. Will be diligently watching the Black Friday sites.

DH thought refurb ipod was the way to go until the newest has FM radio, camera and pedometer on it. Not that Mom would use it at the gym when they were at school.

Denise in MI

 

[dalton165]

Have you looked into the ones made by Sony?

One of the great features is that you get am/fm stations as well. Walmart has one on sale for $74 and it got some great reader reviews. Best Buy will price match (just print a copy of the ad) and if you have the entertainment book there are coupons for Best Buy.

Good Luck!

 

[mom of 3G's]

When I checked the apple site last week there were refurbished 4th generation (older models) for $99. I would go that route. Since the newest model (5th generation) just came out, I wouldn't expect to see too many of those available yet. I would go with the refurbished, because then if something happens to it you won't feel so bad about sticking all that money into it (I'm the one with the thread about DD 1-1/2 wrecking DS7 new nano by either sucking on it or throwing it into the toilet!). Oh how I wish I had gone that route...

 

[satorifound]

Oooh, I love woot.com.

Also, check the Disney outlet if you are considering a Mix Max. I got one for my little cousin last year (Tinkerbell) for $39.95. This one plays video and songs and has decent sound quality, super kid friendly too. I got one for my daughter when she was 8. The hit clips are pretty convenient.

We gave my DS the Disney Cars one. The most important thing is to get earphones with lower volume levels. Toys R Us sells them. They will not go super loud and help the kids to not blare them (Like we all did as kids) and ruin their hearing.

Keep an eye on sites like woot.com and other one day deal sites since they run specials on MP3 players a LOT!