(Credit:
Creative)
That headline is my offhand way of mentioning that Creative just dropped Zen prices: You can now get the 8GB model for just $150, the same price as Apple's 4GB Nano. If that's your budget for a portable media player, which one should you choose?
It's practically a no-brainer: the Zen has a larger screen (2.5 inches), an FM tuner, twice the storage, and an SD card slot for adding even more storage. On the other hand, the Nano is way slimmer and sexier, and iTunes offers a much broader selection of TV, movies, audiobooks, etc., than Amazon Unbox (the main place to get such content for the Zen).
Still can't decide? Check out CNET's reviews: The Zen scored an 8.3 out of 10, while the Nano came close with an 8.0. So they're both winners, but you obviously get a lot more bang for the buck from the Zen. Think Apple will respond with its own price reduction?
(Credit:
Creative)
Here's a simple math exercise: should you spend $199 on an 8GB iPod nano or $119.99 on an 8GB Creative Zen V Plus? Answer: a big fat "that depends."
The nano has a slightly larger screen (2 inches, versus 1.5 on the Zen), a way sexier design, and vastly superior software for managing music, podcasts, and the like. But for $80 less, the Zen nets you an FM radio, a voice recorder, compatibility with subscription-music services like Napster and Rhapsody, and even line-in recording.
So it boils down to style over substance. If you're in the market for a flash player and want a sexy status symbol, pony up for the nano. If you want more features and a bargain price (Buy.com has the Zen V Plus for $119.99 shipped after a mail-in rebate), get Zen.
It's worth noting that Creative actually has the same model on sale for $129.99, no rebate required, but it's out of stock at the moment. I can understand why: that's a pretty sweet player for the money.
(Credit:
Creative)
Too late, you missed 'em. The supply of $99 original Zunes dried up over Long Black Weekend, probably for good. But all is not lost: You can still score a 30GB media player without spending triple digits. I'm talking about the Creative Zen Vision:M, which looks like a chunky iPod Video but has a few aces up its reconditioned sleeve.
The player sports a 2.5-inch screen, FM radio tuner, and voice recorder (even the Zune doesn't have that). It supports podcasts and can sync with Outlook. It's also compatible with music-subscription services like Napster and Rhapsody, so you can fill it to the brim with tunes for $15 monthly.
Here's where you really get to score bragging rights over your Zune-toting brethren: The Zen can play movies and TV shows purchased from Amazon Unbox and Walmart. The Zune's pretty much music-only at this point.
The Zen Vision:M will run you $99.99; shipping's free!
As an update to an earlier Crave posting courtesy of our sister site Crave UK, I wanted to be sure to mention that the Zen Stone will be available in the U.S. as well. In fact, the player--with its extremely competitive $39.99 price tag--is on sale through Creative's Web site right now, with a visit to the shopping cart confirming that it is "In Stock (Available for Shipment)." Only the black is available at this very moment, though, so you'll have to wait about a week or so if you want one of the five other colors: blue, red, pink, green (looks more like yellow to me), and white.
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