Surprise surprise, Zune sucks.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Three words: Proprietary music format. The inability to replace the battery also factors in.

iPods also play mpP3 format which standard now. mp4 and aac are available not required.

I see how the battery replacement can be an issue for someone.

Features other than disk space? Video isn't a big need at the moment, although that could change. I do like the FM tuner on my mini-disk player.

The iRiver is supposed to be good. I haven't been impressed with Creative's products or support but I know a lot of people like them.

If you will be running or using it during a lot of high impact activities I recommend getting a flash memory based player versus a hard drive based player. The hard drive can be damaged with enough impact (my iPod will shut off when I am running because of the movement).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

iPods also play mpP3 format which standard now.

Actually, iTunes converts your mp3s into AAC so they'll play on your iPod, and getting them back into mp3 format involves digging up some software to crack Apple's code. I know many people are unhappy iTunes converted their libraries.

If I were going to purchase an mp3 player now without any prior iPod use, I would definitely consider another player. Many others are available with FM tuners, the ability to download files from your player to your computer, and many other features, often for less than what Apple charges.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Actually, iTunes converts your mp3s into AAC so they'll play on your iPod, and getting them back into mp3 format involves digging up some software to crack Apple's code. I know many people are unhappy iTunes converted their libraries.

Hummm. I've been dragging my mp3s to my iPod and removing them without a problem. My set-up may be unique though since my music is generally stored on an external drive and played (but not stored) via iTunes (without conversion). I'm pretty sure there is an option to prevent the conversion.

[lizziebith]

I could never get iTunes to work so I knew I'd never buy an iPod (and heard too many horror stories of people losing all the work they'd put into the effort to load their 'Pods, only to have them crash miserably). As far as I'm concerned, regarding platforms and proprietariness...a Jobs is as bad as a Gates. I'm trying to avoid both of those guys as much a possible. [/waits for flames]

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by lizziebith

(and heard too many horror stories of people losing all the work they'd put into the effort to load their 'Pods, only to have them crash miserably).

That's their fault for not backing up their data (though, after witnessing the death of CP's iPod, I will never buy any disk-based mp-3 player. No moving parts, thank you very much).

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

No moving parts, thank you very much).

I'd have to agree with that proviso.

So what are the candidates of that type? I'm looking to be the late entry into the portable MP3 unit (actually I had a prehistoric one many years ago) and I'd like some other options besides the Nano.

Any recommendations???

[lizziebith]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

That's their fault for not backing up their data (though, after witnessing the death of CP's iPod, I will never buy any disk-based mp-3 player. No moving parts, thank you very much).

Of course they should back up, but my emphasis is really on the high number of people I've known with the problem -- It would be as if almost everyone I knew routinely had their computers' hard drives fail. Of course, that's just anecdotal evidence... But yeah to the not buying disc-based player absolutely. Love my little flash baby!

(iSm -- I have a Creative Zen V-- I didn't get the plus, because I think watching video on a wee little screen is just plain silly, but that's probably just me given the apparent demand driving the production of such features!)

[Alex]

To balance it out, I've not had anybody I know complain about their iPod (unlike actual Apple computers which seem to suffer an unusually high rate of hardware failures).

Here's what I like about mine:

From the moment I walked in the front door to the moment I had music on it was about 10 minutes.

But I'm also far from a power user since in the year I've owned mine it has probably seen about 50 hours of use.

As far as software issues go, keep in mind that if you want, you can wipe the native software off the iPod and install linux based stuff to run everything. I know several of my friends have done that and have the features and tweaks that they like best.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Actually, iTunes converts your mp3s into AAC so they'll play on your iPod, and getting them back into mp3 format involves digging up some software to crack Apple's code. I know many people are unhappy iTunes converted their libraries.

I just double checked, and sure enough, most all of my music is in MP3 format. Some of it is in AAC (mostly the stuff I purchased from the iTunes store), but if it came in as an MP3, it remains an MP3.

Besides, AAC is a better format than MP3 (less loss and audio artifacts). However, there are better formats than AAC.