MP3 or iPod or Zune or What?

By Colin Noden

This review is the result of hours of frustration trying to buy and program a few MP3 players.

OK first of all, let me say that I'm going to use the term MP3 player to cover all of the products I'm reviewing today. Yes I know that these personal audio and video devices are much much more.

But it just gets too confusing to say MP3 or MP4 or WAV or whatever. Everybody out there calls 'em MP3 players except the real techie types ( who will probably hate what I'm going to write) or the marketing people.

So how do you choose the right MP3 player for you or as a gift for someone?

First answer

If you want the hottest product then get an iPod with video. Or look at a cell phone with a camera and video and music storage. The iPhone is getting all the press right now, and is Very Hot ( but unattainable for most) When I say unattainable, I mean that the service fees can really sneak up on you. If you do get an iPhone, make sure you have a clear understanding of the service contract.

Chances are that you can get most fo the features you want from a good MP3 player ( Ipod or even better a Zune with built in FM) and save money by using a separate cell phone. Yeah I know, not as cool.

Now if you are serious about getting the best price on an iPod then you have to check out Some of the online sources! Here is a secret. You get the same factory guarantees as from any retailer. You can get iPods or any other make of MP3 player without going through the hassel in the store!

Quick Story: I recently went to buy a basic MP3 player to use as a constantly looping broadcast. Didn't have any other need for it. Wanted something cheap and reliable. I went through one salesman who just left when he realized he wasn't going to sell me a $100 iPod. The next sales person, sold me one that didn't have the looping feature. I only found out after getting home and hacking my way through the plastic. I could have gone online, read the specs on everything, bought what I needed and had it delivered to my house for less than what the store charged!

Here is a link to a great list of Mp3 Players   with both new and used options. 

 Cell Phones:

I think the cell phone is the way things are going. You can get one unit that does it all pretty well. With the latest cell phones you can talk, text, shoot, watch, listen, and download. My friends kids don't even wear watches anymore, they just use their cell phones!

Cell phones are including everything a socially connected person would want .

(Except for a limited battery life, remember to charge!)

The cell phone industry is changing on a monthly basis. I used to have some preferred brands and links posted, but now realize that it is better to just go with a good supplier who is on top of all that is out there. And just like the iPhone, the service plan makes all the difference.

(Again, Im doing research and will post my best choices here in a few days)

(Back to iPods)

iPods are very hot and sexy right now....but a pain in the butt to program.

Oops I wasn't supposed to say that....sorry Steve. But it is true. Apple has made the mistake that Microsoft keeps making. They try to integrate everything in the iPod experience. This is fine if you want to go to the iTunes store and buy some music. That part is easy.

But when you want to customize your listening experience, and perhaps do a quick transfer of files from your computer you get lost in some techno swamp!

Apple seems to have made it hard to do anything other than what they want you to do.

A friend brought her iPod over for me to load up some music. I spent a couple hours setting things up. Now granted, I was trying to keep as independent from iTunes as possible. I finally got everything done. But later on, her husband spent an entire frustrating evening trying to figure the iPod and iTunes out.

I talked to a Die Hard iPod lover and asked her about this. And yes she confessed that the iPod has a "steep learning curve". Unless of course you just plug it in and download everything from the iTunes store.

Of course one of the great things about Apple is that they arrange for fantastic peripherals to be made for their products. Nobody beats Apple where hardware is concerned. You know that if you buy something made for one of their products it will work without a glitch.

Take a look at this great accessory for connecting your iPod to your car stereo:

   ( Click for more details)

Second Answer (A better Choice?)

A basic MP3 player makes life simple.

My spouse is a bit hard on tech stuff. Things tend to slip, fall, take tumbles out of purses, get stepped on, get eaten by dogs ( well not that one.....yet).

An all in one cell phone is not a good idea for her.

An iPod would get thrown across the room in frustration.

I found a nice Ultra MP3 Player that is rubber coated for water resistance and shock protection.

SO Far it has withstood rain storms and mysterious falls. The most that is happened is that the battery died. All that was needed was to slip in another AAA battery and off she went.

Oh yes, and it also has an FM tuner and a digital voice recorder for on the fly memo taking. But to be honest, she doesn't use the memo feature.

What she likes is that she can clearly see the selections on the screen. ( She uses it for language training as well as music) And it is VERY easy to select what she wants to hear. ( iPod's ergonomic dial drove her crazy when she tried her friend's unit out do yourself a favor, if you buy an iPod, buy the iTouch, you will thank me.). Yes the screen is small, but it is bright and legible, and the unit is about as big as my thumb.

    Still going strong after being dropped out of the car and banged about!

(Click on the pic for more info)

What I like is that I can just drag and drop files on the computer to the Ultra MP3 player. I am also using the Windows Media Player which I think is the best thing Microsoft has ever produced. ( Note to Microsoft: Don't mess this one up!!!!!) Everything is nice and simple and well laid out.

Bottom line then:

If you want sexy buy an iPod with video. And keep an eye out to see if people around you (or at your kids' school) are buying Zune. If it is hot at your kid's school then you will be forced to buy it just for the music sharing feature. But it seems that "The Other Steve" at microsoft has let things slip in regard to the Zune. Perhaps he is too busy cleaning up the Vista mess.

If you want convenience, then check out the all-in-one cell phones. But please remember to charge the thing up!

If you want simple and/or are hard on your equipment, then go with a simple MP3 player and keep all your data backed up on disks ( yes disks....you are probably just as hard on your computer).

Here are some links to online shops to get a quick look at what is available:

Tiger Direct is one of my favorite shopping sites. They have great deals and I have never had a problem with shipping or service.

Here is a link to Tiger Direct:

The Best Computer And Electronics Deals Anywhere ONLY at TigerDirect!  

Dell sells more than computers now. And they are pretty competitive.

Apple is as Apple does. Their products are sexy and probably the best built from a hardware point of view. ( OR so my techie friends tell me)

Well there you go. Good hunting!

Colin