180Brandy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 If you all had to pick a mp3 player or ipod which one would you get and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobble Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I prefer regular mp3 players. Ipods force you to use ITunes software to add/remove music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobble Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 That and regular mp3 players are about half the cost of ipods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I'd go with either an iPod Nano or Classic (or even a Touch if you want all the bells and whistles). They're small, reliable and the UI really is superior IMO. You aren't locked into iTunes, there are plenty of affordable/free third-party alternatives -- check out Songbird for one great example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobble Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I guess what I meant was I don't like being forced to use an application to add/remove songs. I prefer dragging and dropping within Windows Explorer. I find it quicker and simpler. I can also go to any of my computers and put music on an mp3 player. This can't be done with an ipod. You are locked to one computer (at least this is my experience). But everyone's needs and abilities on a computer are different. The ipod software (or equivalent) does make it easy for a computer novice. Personally, I don't care for the ipod's UI. I am a SanDisk fan. My advice would be to go to a store and try them both out. Find which UI you are more comfortable with. Some people love ipods, some don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I use my phone Kills 2 birds with 1 stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 My advice would be to go to a store and try them both out. Find which UI you are more comfortable with. Some people love ipods, some don't. This is good advice. However, your statements about iPod limitations are just not correct. There are plenty of utilities out there that allow the use model you describe above, plus many others. If someone buys a Canon digital camera, they can stick with the limited image transfer and editing software that comes in the box and get along fine in most instances. If that isn't sufficient for them, they can track down any number of free or commercial software packages that give a different/better experience. Same thing here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Is a flash drive better or a hard drive better? Don't you have to pay extra to get music on your phone? Do you have to use your service providers download? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobble Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 However' date=' your statements about iPod limitations are just not correct.[/quote'] How so? I'm not arguing, I'm just stating my limited experience with ipods. You obviously have more experience with them than I do. IME, I've had to use software to add/remove songs from ipods. Is this not the case? Can you use an explorer windows and drag an mp3 to the ipod? Also IME, ipods get locked to one install of itunes (one computer). Is this not the case with the alternative itunes software? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Another question. I have Linux on my laptop. Do I have to use special software to put music on a mp3 or ipod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 There are applications available that allow iPods to be mounted in the Windows explorer (for example, anapod explorer). The iTunes/iPod pairing is an iTunes function; iPods can act independantly (for example, using the songbird app I linked above). EDIT: Brandy, Songbird is one of the top open-source music apps -- Linux builds are easily available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelhead77 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 There is a reason that about 400 million ipods have been sold. There's also a reason that itunes has sold 2 billion songs. People appreciate a superior product. Despite claims to the contrary, Zune, Sandisk etc. just cannot compete in quality, ease of use, or coolness. For instance, check out the new ipod shuffle they just announced yesterday. (www.apple.com) For $79.00, you get 4 gigs of memory (1000 songs) and it even talks to you to tell you what songs are upcoming. All in the size of half a stick of gum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Is a flash drive better or a hard drive better? Don't you have to pay extra to get music on your phone? Do you have to use your service providers download? Flash drive is smaller and also has a smaller capacity. Hard drive is larger with larger capacity. Depends on your needs for which is better. I don't pay anything extra. I plug my phone into my computer via USB and drag and drop the songs. I use bittorrent when i download music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I use my phone Kills 2 birds with 1 stone. My whole family does this too. All it takes is a micro SD card and a pair of ear-buds. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Does it affect battery life that much? My daughter was doing that on her phone, but found she wasn't able to make it through the day on a single charge... of course she *is* a teenager so her 24/7 use probably isn't typical. Flash memory is definitely more battery friendly than a hard drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I use a 20 dollar sandisk that holds enough music to keep me on the mountain all day, and i dont have to worry if i ever do break it by running into a tree. it isnt flashy, it isnt a cool color, and it doesnt have a nice user interface, but the music sounds the same coming out of it as it does from my wife's ipod. my suggestion would be to play with a few, and determine how important the interface is to you. if you want it to look nice, and like the user friendly Ui then ipod is probably the way to go. if you want cheap fast storage so you can get on a treadmill or for a hour long flight, it may be more than you need... i can't guess on your needs and preferences. shuffles are nice too, but i couldn't get one for 20 bucks if i was spending real money, i would get an apple over a zune or other expensive brand, simply for the warranty and reliability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 On my phone with max charge i could listen to music for about 6-8 hours straight before charging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 fwiw this is what i have http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Express-Player-Black/dp/B000OV74CC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Lots of good info Thank you all so much!!!! I want one so I can go for long hikes, bike ride, etc... light weight is good. a decent battery charge would be great. I would like to have the shuffle option. Good quality sound is key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 To continue my ride on the Apple bandwagon -- definitely check out the brand new iPod Shuffle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadams7 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 There are also many programs which allow you to convert music and videos over to ipod format. I use videora, it is VERY user friendly, and even the most computer illiterate person can figure it out most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Try a zune. Should work fine for and how you want it to. It is microsoft product I believe so should incorperate flawlessly. Key word....should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 gotta remember though, Ipod's have their reputation for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I have the Ipod touch and nano and love them both. I really enjoy the built-in wi-fi on the touch. I am able to rip my dvd movies and drop them on to either one - not to mention the application support for the I-pod touch is quite outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 The Touch looks really cool -- it's like an iPhone, but without the phone right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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