Ipod, Zen or Archos

[The Artful Shrimper]

I can get a brand new Zen 20gb for £130, an Ipod second hand nearly new for that price and an Archos for same.

I want a player compatible with windows ME ( and no I don't need XP or need it recomended thanks) and the mp3 player needs menus and categories capability etc.

What shall I get? I'm not concerned about what looks good and quality/price will sway it, it looks like the zen but I don't know anyone who's got one?

Thanks in advance

 

[overseas shrimper]

I recommend you upgrade to Windows XP.

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ June 17 2005,09:56)]I recommend you upgrade to Windows XP.

...I might as well get a new computer old chap, I run a whopping 666Mhz Devil Celeron

! , and its done me proud and still does everything I need bar run the new Cubase and Ipod's it looks like, for which I need Xp

I refuse.
...and I can't be bothered to find all the drivers i'd need for my bolt on hardware.

 

[palexander]

Vote 1 for iPod. Everything is a breeze to use, great sound (i think), loads of accessories.

Guy I work with has the Zen and its not a patch looks wise to the iPod (moote point I know), but the access around menus etc looks very clunky compared to iPod.

 

[Guest]

Having experienced an IPod (my brother has one) and owning a Zen Touch, I have to say that the sound quality and battery life on the Zen are superior to the IPod, the software is much more user friendly (and runs perfectly on ME, while I had trouble with iTunes) and the menus are pretty easy to use. They don't look as nice, granted, but overall are much better value IMO

 

[Wessex Blue]

I've been thinking about getting an MP3 as well but I'm having the same difficulty choosing as AS is. What about IRiver and the new Sony 20GB MP3? I've also seen quite a smart Samsung 20GB for the same price as a a 4GB Ipod. What should I go for aesthetically pleasing or bigger memory?  

 

[The General]

If i get one for me rounds it'll be nicked by the local chav's no doubt. I probably should have asked for one for my b'day but if i want it that much, i'll buy one ...

 

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Wessex Blue @ June 17 2005,12:17)]What should I go for aesthetically pleasing or bigger memory?  

Sound quality! Many MP3s sound absolute poo.

Have just purchased a Rio Carbon 5GB. Was a close call between the Rio and a new version iPod Mini (What Hi-Fi's two current best buys for players with approx 5GB memory - I didn't need 20GB as 5GB stores a good 75+ albums).

Little to choose between in sound quality so went for the Rio in the end because:
- after shopping around was £30 cheaper;
- comes with an AC adaptor (essential for charging when on holiday. Adaptor was a £20+ extra for the iPod)
- is much smaller; and
- everyone has an iPod and I didn't want to be a sheep

.

Whatever you buy, upgrade the headphones as they only ever chuck in a very cheap poor sounding pair. Have just bought some Sennheiser PX100s on line for £27 and they've made a huge difference.

 

[Greenelk]

I have a zen, and think it's the mutts.  Sound quality is excellent, and the menu system is easy to use.  Also, it supports wma, which are slightly more compact than MP3s...

If you really don't give a monkeys about the way it looks, it's a better choice than the ipod.

 

[MrB]

I got an Ipod for my birthday but haven't opened it yet so can't help!

How useful I am.....

 

[Birri]

I got the Creative mini one for £109, it has one Gig on it and does me fine. I have 160 tracks on it and still have 700K left it uses 1 AAA and a pack of 4 has lasted 6 weeks so far with 2 still to go.