| What many people don't realize is that there | | | | * They have moving parts that limit physical |
| are different types of MP3 players. They | | | | activity. |
| don't all use the same technology. There are | | | | |
| three (3) basic types: | | | | * The have non removable batteries that |
| | | | eventually wear out and need to be replaced. |
| 1. Flash Players | | | | |
| | | | Buy a Micro Hard Drive Player if: |
| Flash Players have no moving parts and are | | | | |
| known for their shockproof operation and | | | | * You are a traveler who spends a lot of time |
| ultracompact dimensions. A large flash player | | | | on the road, and doesn't want a big player |
| is around 8 GB (gigabytes), which would hold | | | | weighing you down. |
| roughly 96 hours of music (2000 songs). | | | | |
| | | | * You need a player that is compact and |
| Advantages: | | | | lightweight. |
| | | | |
| * No Moving Parts, so it will never skip and | | | | * You don't need a player that will store |
| is very hard to damage | | | | your whole music library. |
| | | | |
| * Batteries last longer | | | | Important Accessories: |
| | | | |
| * They are tiny | | | | * Headphoneso Noise-canceling headphones for |
| | | | the airplane.o Portable Speakers. |
| * Many include lots of extra features such as | | | | |
| voice and line-in recording | | | | Recommendations: |
| | | | |
| Disadvantages: | | | | Creative Zen Micro Photo |
| | | | |
| * They have the highest per-megabyte cost. | | | | 3. Hard Drive Players |
| | | | |
| * They max out at 8 GB. | | | | Hard Drive Players use larger hard drives |
| | | | (moving parts). They are a high-capacity |
| * The extra features sometimes make them | | | | player and will be able to hold every single |
| harder to use. | | | | song you own. They hold up to 80 GB |
| | | | (gigabytes) of storage, which would give you |
| Buy a Flash Player if: | | | | roughly 960 hours of music (20,000 songs). |
| | | | They also allow you to fill up their storage |
| * You are a commuter, and commute via subway | | | | with videos. |
| or bus. | | | | |
| | | | Advantages: |
| * You are a fitness freak and need a player | | | | |
| that won't skip and can withstand your tough | | | | * Store all your music on one device. |
| workouts. | | | | |
| | | | * Larger Screens. |
| Important Accessories: | | | | |
| | | | * More features, such as video playback. |
| * Armbands | | | | |
| | | | * Definitely the best bang for your buck! |
| * Headphoneso Noise-canceling headphones for | | | | |
| the commuter.o Headphones that will stay in | | | | Disadvantages: |
| place during your vigorous activities, rather | | | | |
| than the cheap ear buds that come with the | | | | * Larger and Heavier than other players. |
| players. | | | | |
| | | | * They are NOT ideal for strenuous physical |
| Recommendations: | | | | activity because they have moving parts. |
| | | | |
| SanDisk Sansa e280 (8 GB Flash) | | | | * Most use rechargeable batteries that you |
| | | | can't replace yourself. |
| 2. Micro Hard Drive Players | | | | |
| | | | Buy a Hard Drive Player if: |
| Micro Hard Drive Players use miniature hard | | | | |
| drives (moving parts), so they are small and | | | | * You are a file hoarder and need (and want!) |
| lightweight. They hold around 8 GB | | | | enormous capacity. |
| (gigabytes) of storage, which would give you | | | | |
| roughly 96 hours of music (2000 songs). | | | | * You don't mind the fact that it isn't ideal |
| | | | to take jogging with you. |
| Advantages: | | | | |
| | | | Important Accessories: |
| * Compact and Lightweight. | | | | |
| | | | * Headphoneso Wireless Ear-Cup designs.o |
| * Holds lots of tunes. | | | | Portable Speakers. |
| | | | |
| * Many now come with extra features such as | | | | Recommendations: |
| picture viewing. | | | | |
| | | | Creative Zen VISION:M 30 GB Black |
| Disadvantages: | | | | |
| | | | Remember, don't buy anything because it's |
| * You get fewer megabytes per dollar than you | | | | cute. Clever looks will soon pale if you have |
| do with a larger player. | | | | trouble using your MP3 player. |
| | | | |