Creative Labs Zen Micro

[Ioman]

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=10795#

Dang and I both got one of these, its a pretty sweet little player. It has 5GB and is priced at $249, which I think it cheaper than the iPod mini if I am not mistaken.

They definately tried to emulate the iPod with the touch pads and the overall feel - which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I had to turn the touch pad sensitivity down before I felt comfortable with it. I like how the player integrates directly with Microsoft's Media player 10.

The sound quality from the headphones is above average in my opinion.

I like how the lithium battery is replaceable.

On the downside, the Creative labs software is a little bit clunky, and I do not like the glowing ring around it frame when the backlight is in use - that seems pretty cheesy to me.

[dang]

FYI realplayer works with it as well. I like the glowing blue border on the device. I think it adds a cool factor. :)

[neato]

I wish they'd 'ripped off' the 4G instead of the 3G, i.e. had click buttons. The controls are too sensitive and easily accidentally brushed. Apart from that I like it too. Sound is as good as the iPod Mini with no EQ, although the output is less. Hopefully official Notmad support will be offered soon and j.River Media Center 11 will apparently be offering full support for the new Zens too, so you'll be able to give Mediasource the boo without resorting to 'corporateware' like Real and WMP.
The iPod Mini's still a better player though for people who don't need the extra features/battery life of the Micro.

[NdNPlaYa]

hey for the Zen Player...you know how to mini ipods have a timelimit untill it dies...does that go for the Zen Micro Player also?

[neato]

The battery if used in the same way has about the same life. It depends on your usage patterns but you should get at least 2 years of reasonably regular service from a battery before it starts to lose charge to a less useful level.

The advantage with the Micro (and other Zens) is that you can buy batteries for it. But IMO it's a fictional advantage as 2 - 3 years down the line, accessories including batteries for the Zen Micro will probably be at end of production. Don't believe me? It's already very hard to get hold of spare batteries for the older Nomad Jukeboxes. You are actually guaranteed better support from a company like Apple if your player's battery starts to die several years down the line (although you will most probably upgrade than replace the batteries).

The majority of people are short-sighted about things like this and haven't considered the above while trashing the 'non replaceable batteries' of the iPod, especially when they use the counter-evidence for a removable battery every day: How many of you have spare batteries for your phone unless the battery life sucks? How many of you will continue replacing batteries on your phone?

The real advantage for me of replaceable batteries is the ability to have more than one ready for use, not the longevity that it gives the player. The thing is of course that you'll find that most people who buy a player 'because of it's replaceable battery' won't buy a second battery.

[NdNPlaYa]

the ipods dont have removable battaries.

[dang]

My battery is supposed to last 12 hours of pure playback. I haven't gone that far though, but it has lasted more then 2 hours. Also, the battery looks almost like a cell phone battery. Not sure if it's a proprietary battery or not.

You can adjust how long the backlit light stays on. It also an EQ, FM tuner and voice recorder. It's also 5gb unlike the 4gb ipod mini.

[neato]

the ipods dont have removable battaries.

I knew it wasnt worth putting that post into words :brick

[NdNPlaYa]

so what would you say...which would be better? and since the Zen Mircro player has replaceable battary its basically can last forever rite?

[neato]

Only theoretically. As I said in my previous post, it's already very hard to get batteries for Creative players only 2 years old. I REALLY wouldn't let the replaceable battery influence your purchase if you're not going to buy additional batteries now. Just consider the endurance on a charge and whether it's enough or not for you. I need replaceable batteries as I'm currently needing runtime of over 24 hours. I doubt the average student / commuter needs that.