Mp3 Players: First Time Buyer

[DSL200419]

Im thinking seriously about Buying an mp3 player. i had an cd/mp3 player for awhile that my parents got me for my birthday. But my older brother of 34 took it with him back to minnesota. so now all im left with is a cd player(sony Brand) i have been looking on different mp3 player sites just seeing whats out there. But i have it narrowed down to 5 choices of mp3 players that i like.

They are

1.) http://www.nomadworld.com/products/muvo/ ( 128mb one)

2.) http://www.nomadworld.com/products/muvo_2_15/ ( i have enough money for the X-Trainer one as well)

3.) http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen/

4.) http://www.nomadworld.com/products/jukebox_zen_nx/

5.) http://ecoustics.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=814155/ut=42bef8497ccabbe6 (10GB ipod)

i also want a Hard Drive based one. i can spend up to like $517 of my money but i won't im sure though. im a first time Buyer so please look over my links that i posted and help you out decied as to which one i should think about buying or any other Good mp3 players that are good as well.

Thank you

ps. whats a jukebox mp3 player? just wondering

[questionlp]

A jukebox MP3 player is usually another name for an MP3 player that uses a hard drive instead of removable media (memory cards or CDs).

I have a Nomad Jukebox 3 20GB and it suits me quite fine, but if you can forgo digital recording (or recording for that matter), the Jukebox NX would be an okay choice. If you do choose any Nomad MP3 player, check out Red Chair Software's Notmad software line at http://www.redchairsoftware.com instead of using Creative's buggy software. You will still need to install the drivers for the player, but not their suite.

I haven't been a huge fan of the Archos line of stuff, but some people swear by them. The Apple iPod seems to be a bit too expensive for the amount of storage that you get, but it does get huge thumbs for those who want an MP3 player that is cute but also very easy to use.

I use FireWire/IEEE 1394 to connect my Jukebox 3 to my laptop and my desktop computer at home, but USB 2.0 should be just as good since the controller in the player will limit transfer to a max of 10-15MByte/sec.

HTH

[dang]

What do you plan on using it for? Jogging/etc or want something to listen to while taking the bus, chilling at home, whatever?

If you are using it for excercise, then the removable media type of mp3 players are probably a better choice. They are light with just enough features. Key thing is weight and size.

If you going to use it for carrying around in your backpack or shirt/pants pocket while you are on the bus, chilling at home, whatever then weight and size are not as big of necessities. The hard drive based mp3 players are then better suited.

The are tons and tons of the removable media type. We just did a review of the Samsung Yepp (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review426.html).

For CD player/mp3 player types, I would have to say the iRiver brand are a great choice.

For Hard drive based ones, you listed some great ones. Nomads, iPods, etc will all do. Choosing one will have to be based on: software support, features, hard drive space, and finally price.

[IronSerif]

Good question, what are you planning on using it for?

Also, how much space to you *think* you will require?

Cause if you have a good sized collection u want to put on there, or even plan on backing up some data...you might want to consider removing the flash based mp3 players from the list.

And just for the heck of it, here is a possible option. With your budget cap, you could conceivably buy a flash one (lets say for jogging/working out) and then buy a hard drive based one for your other needs.

[DSL200419]

i'll mainly just be using it for listening to in my parents car on like Trips around town or where ever. and i'll prob be using it also for walking! because i dont do nither as much of that as i should:( but i want a compact/ pocket sized mp3 player. and i'll prob only need about 10 to 20GB because all im gonna be doing is Downloading songs off internet sites. and the price i wanna spend somewhere between $100 to $300 maybe $400 but thats a BIG maybe.

im looking at the 10GB ipod right now as a possbility or the 20GB Nomad Zen

[IronSerif]

Actually, if you were looking to get one of the smaller capacity iPods, and didn't want to break the bank, you could always try:

Refurbished iPods @ the Apple Store (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71201/wo/yc6CjPkV9zez2fDlwP12Bz5iO7V/0.0.7.1.0.5.13.0.3.0.0.0.0.3.1.1.0?69,41)

[dang]

can you post how to get to the refurbished area? when you try the link above it gives a session time out error.

[IronSerif]

ahh sorry about that.

first go to www.apple.com (don't worry, your computer won't burn down or anything and you are not opening up the gates of hell)

-then click on "Store"
-scroll down to near the bottom
-on left hand side you will see a "special deals" section

[DSL200419]

i heard sometimes on websites that refurbished products(such as ipods) dont work as well as Brand new products. but anyways thats besides the point....

what would you Guys suggest me buying for thoses that have expericance with both the nomad Zen and apple ipod? which one? because im hopeing to get my mp3 player maybe this weekend if i get the money on time that is before our bank closes

Thanks