Best MP3 players and product life cycles--Ask the Editors
By far the most difficult (read: impossible) question for me to answer is: what is the very best MP3 player/headphone/iPod speaker/etc? That's because there is no single device in any given category that is perfect for every person. There is a healthy handful of MP3 players that I think are excellent, but finding the right device for an individual has a lot to do with personal preference and requirements. I can, however, tell you what I would buy for myself. Also this week: how to judge the best time to buy a new MP3 player.
Find the Archos 605 online.
(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)Q: I have been reading and watching review on your website (and others) and by far you guys are the best. However, I am thoroughly confused. What is the top, #1 best rated MP3 player? I can't decide between the Zune 80GB, the iPod Classic, the Creative Zen, or the Archos. Knowing what you know, which MP3 player would you buy today? Do your "best" lists go in order? Is the first listed what you consider the best? Also, if you knew if the Zune third-generation was coming out in 2008 or 2009, would you wait?--Bobbie, via e-mail
The Zen V Plus is my gold standard.
(Credit: Creative Labs)A: Navigating the tech market can certainly be a confusing process, so I don't blame you for asking for advice--that's what we're here for, after all! There isn't really just one MP3 player that we consider the best of the best; more like a handful of great players that are the best for you depending on your specific needs. The Best 5 list isn't necessarily in order: each player makes the list for a set of reasons. We consider a few criteria when adding to the list: value, sound quality, feature set, and ease of use are all top considerations. I like all of the players listed in the Best 5 for different reasons, but personally, I would buy the Creative Zen V Plus, even though it's been out for two years and is dated by market standards. It's just the perfect balance of features, sound quality, size, and ease of use for me.
Zune 80: a solid option
(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)However, I generally recommend the Zune for people who are getting older and may have failing eyesight, because it uses a large font and is very easy to use overall. It also has a reasonable amount of features and good sound quality. I probably would not wait for the third-gen Zune simply because I would not want to be without an MP3 player for six months or more.
Q: I would like to buy an MP3 player. When does the industry introduce their new players to the public? I know that the manufactures will not do it at the same time, but in general would they want to take advantage of some event where folks are looking for a new player? Events such as Christmas, start of school, and so on is what I am thinking about. Also, I don't want to pay full price for a dated model that I happen to buy one week before the new release. --Kerry, via e-mail
A: It varies, though certain manufacturers have cycles that they tend to follow. For example, Apple tends to announce new iPods in September or October. Others, such as Creative, launch players within the current line throughout the year. And--yes--a lot of companies release at least one new product in fall to coincide with the holiday buying schedule. In general, though, you can count on products refreshing on an annual basis. So a good rule of thumb is to look at the release date for the player you like: if it is around a year old, it likely has a new version coming out soon, and it may be wise to wait. Also, keep an eye out at the end of October and beginning of November for new products or deals on existing products.
(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)MP3 Mailbox Monday is a recurring feature in which I answer a selection of questions about MP3 players and accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and music services and software. Check back often to see if the advice presented here might be of some use to you, or send your questions directly to me. (Note: We never include last names, but if you prefer to remain completely anonymous, please state as much in your e-mail.)
For more than five years, Jasmine France has covered a variety of tech products for CNET--from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices--but she's happiest where she is now: sitting atop a pile of MP3 players, "testing" every music service known to man, and jamming a variety of earbuds in every shape and color into her absurdly small ears. E-mail Jasmine.
Unless you drive a Ford, that is, and want to connect a Zune to their Sync system.
it should be version 10.2 with bootcamp 2.0
check zune.net for minimum systems requirements...
peace man!
Sincerely,
a 37 year old Zune owner (kid) with 20/20 vision
All said, the iPod lineup provides the best MP3 solution for the simple reason of seamless synchronization of content, computer, and device. Unlike Jasmine's not so surprising recommends (she's been hocking the Creative Zen V Plus for two years now), iPods are Windows and Macintosh compatible and therefore one does not have to worry about which device will be compatible with their OS.
Your comment about "people who are getting older and may have failing eyesight." deserves a reply. Have you totally forgotten younger and middle aged people that may have failing eyesight? What about kids that can't see well? Where are your concerns for animals, left handed people, and underhanded people with seeing difficulties? Why make the Zune a product for the elderly? You could have settled for visually impaired people. No, you tagged the getting older set . Poor choice!
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by NearChaos
July 11, 2008 7:51 AM PDT
- This is an expensive option but lately I've been using my Nokia N95 as a media player. One thing that really stands out is good internal speakers, so you don't need to listen on headphones if the opportunity presents itself. I was also surprised how well the battery held up after listening to music on the speakers for an hour. It was also nice to be able to use a WiFi connection at a hotspot to stream music rather than having to rely on whatever was on my SD card.
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(17 Comments)The downside is that the phone will set you back around $500. The upside is that it's actually a really decent phone.