Choosing Between iPods and Other MP3 Players
Debbi Lee asked:
Buying an MP3 player should certainly not be an impulsive buy considering the cost of them. With prices ranging anywhere from $50 to $400, one should definitely be informed. I have owned an iPod, a Samsung, and a Creative. Samsung and Creative will therefore represent on behalf of the non-iPod MP3 players for purposes of this article.
Firstly, let’s talk external features. I will tell you that the non-iPod players are definitely more rugged. If you dropped an iPod there is a good chance that it could be broke for good. However, the two non-iPods that I owned both proved to hold up very well against drops and falls. Also, the iPod’s navigating buttons do not light up, whereas those on the non-iPod players do.
Now lets internal features. The iPod has a feature on it that will let you view all songs by a certain artist regardless of the album that it is under. With both of the non-iPods that I owned, one would have to go into each album and listen to the songs that they wanted and then exit out of that album to go back and get in the next album. This is especially annoying if you only have only a couple songs in each album from that artist. Go iPod for that feature! The sound quality of iPod’s is overwhelmingly better than that of the non-iPods. Also, with the two non-iPods I experienced random freeze-ups which would require the user to completely reset the entire player. No such thing with the iPod.
Last but not least, the iPod is exceptionally user-friendly over the non-iPods. Working with iTunes is ridiculously easy and fast. Yes, it is true that you can only update your iPod through iTunes, but it’s worth it! Not to mention, you can get iPod accessories anywhere. With the non-iPods, it’s a hunt and many times you have to order what you want from their website.
I think it is fair to conclude that the scale has tipped toward the iPod. While the non-iPods are far more rugged, the iPod has many internal features that one should not settle without. Like I said, the accessories for the iPod are abundant, so getting a nice, cushioned case should be easy!
Lewis
Buying an MP3 player should certainly not be an impulsive buy considering the cost of them. With prices ranging anywhere from $50 to $400, one should definitely be informed. I have owned an iPod, a Samsung, and a Creative. Samsung and Creative will therefore represent on behalf of the non-iPod MP3 players for purposes of this article.
Firstly, let’s talk external features. I will tell you that the non-iPod players are definitely more rugged. If you dropped an iPod there is a good chance that it could be broke for good. However, the two non-iPods that I owned both proved to hold up very well against drops and falls. Also, the iPod’s navigating buttons do not light up, whereas those on the non-iPod players do.
Now lets internal features. The iPod has a feature on it that will let you view all songs by a certain artist regardless of the album that it is under. With both of the non-iPods that I owned, one would have to go into each album and listen to the songs that they wanted and then exit out of that album to go back and get in the next album. This is especially annoying if you only have only a couple songs in each album from that artist. Go iPod for that feature! The sound quality of iPod’s is overwhelmingly better than that of the non-iPods. Also, with the two non-iPods I experienced random freeze-ups which would require the user to completely reset the entire player. No such thing with the iPod.
Last but not least, the iPod is exceptionally user-friendly over the non-iPods. Working with iTunes is ridiculously easy and fast. Yes, it is true that you can only update your iPod through iTunes, but it’s worth it! Not to mention, you can get iPod accessories anywhere. With the non-iPods, it’s a hunt and many times you have to order what you want from their website.
I think it is fair to conclude that the scale has tipped toward the iPod. While the non-iPods are far more rugged, the iPod has many internal features that one should not settle without. Like I said, the accessories for the iPod are abundant, so getting a nice, cushioned case should be easy!
Lewis
