The most recent thread on this topic was from 2008. I'm in the market for a non-ipod mp3 player, leaning towards the Creative Zen X-fi (8GB $115) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855102053 but I'm in interested to hear what you guys are using.

10/8/2009 1:14:07 AM

If you're dead set against an iPod, check out the Zune HD. Microsoft did their homework on that one.

10/8/2009 1:42:07 AM

You might want to start by telling us what features you are/aren't interested in. Or why you don't want an iPod. If you don't want an iPod simply because it's an iPod, then that's as dumb as the people that only want one because it's an iPod. There is a reason why they're the most popular mp3 device, and it's not all based on hype.

But yeah, you might want to give details like how much music you have, or are interested in taking with you at one time. Are you looking for something with a radio in it? Are you interested in watching videos on it as well? If so, how many at once? Do you want a device that plays games too? How about something that can get on the internet? Are you looking for something you can work out/take jogging or will most of your music listening be done in an office or on a bus? There's a lot of different things to consider when buying an mp3 player. And your question was just about as vague as going into the garage and saying "I'm looking to buy a car, can someone recommend one for me? Oh by the way, I don't like BMWs"

Honestly, if you do want something that does more than just plays mp3s, you'd be crazy not to look at the iPod Touch or the Zune HD. If you only want something that only plays mp3s, you'd be better off going for something a little cheaper than $115 IMO.

10/8/2009 2:30:45 AM

I like my Sansa Fuze.

10/8/2009 7:53:41 AM

I have the Sansa Clip for running/cycling/etc. It is great.

http://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B001H9O6QW/

10/8/2009 8:19:19 AM

I know the iPod's a pretty solid product, but no more than I'd be using this thing I just can't justify the expense.

In a player I'd like:
@ least 8 Gigs of storage
decent audio quality
Video playback (doesn't have to be spectacular as this is something i'd use VERY rarely)
Expandable memory
Priced ~$100-$125

10/8/2009 12:04:43 PM

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_nano

i mean 8gb for $25 for than you wanted to spend isn't bad at all...it plays video and records video and will be your best and most solid option in that price range

personally if im spending over $100 on these things id stick with apple or Microsoft because i know what im getting

[Edited on October 8, 2009 at 12:48 PM. Reason : .]

10/8/2009 12:46:55 PM

^^

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Video-Player-Black/dp/B001GCQ3KM

Meets every requirement you list for half the price in your budget.

10/8/2009 2:18:36 PM

Quote :

"Expandable memory"

Gonna have to go with the Zen on this one. Where do you stick the SD card in a Nano? And you can put your zen in storage mode where it acts as a usb drive from the sd card in the player to transfer files to it and off of it without some goofy interface.

It also syncs with Windows Media Player. I wish my wife hadn't stepped on mine and busted the shit out of the lcd. I'm actually going to replace mine with a Zune HD, but for that price point and those features, I really like the Zen. Generally regarded as the best sound quality in that price range as well, if you care about sound quality on a media player.

^also not terrible, uses MicroSD instead, smaller crappier video playback. But much nicer price per gb of internal storage of course.

[Edited on October 8, 2009 at 2:28 PM. Reason : .]

10/8/2009 2:21:11 PM

Quote :

"Where do you stick the SD card in a Nano?"

expandable memory is so old school.

10/8/2009 2:34:55 PM

Yeah! Who would want to triple the storage space on their mp3 player for only $20. That's so lame. The new iPods will come out soon enough anyway, just buy a new one.

10/8/2009 3:03:37 PM

If you use video rarely, then Sansa is the way to go. If you want to use it a little more often then Cowon D2 is a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/Cowon-D2-MP3-Player-Black/dp/B001UHOBRU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255028877&sr=1-6

10/8/2009 3:09:40 PM

^^if more storage is what you want get a bigger base drive.

10/8/2009 3:47:19 PM

What if

Quote :

"Expandable memory"

is what he wants? Why would I think that?

10/8/2009 3:48:31 PM

apple fanboys know what other people want

10/8/2009 3:55:16 PM

Quote :

"if more storage is what you want get a bigger base drive."

You act like this shit is free. Adding 16GB to an ipod touch costs $100. Adding a 16GB SD card costs $20.

I know you would actually pay several thousand dollars for the privilege of taking a load of Steve Jobs jizz to the back of your throat, but most normal people can actually see the benefit to getting more storage for less money. Or actually having the ability to add more storage later as your library grows. Or actually being able to switch out memory cards to get different media. Stop being such a flaming fanboy, it's really getting old and quite stupid.

10/8/2009 3:57:20 PM

Can you get it in brushed aluminum though

Cause that's what matters

10/8/2009 4:02:41 PM

^^lol..you take shit so personally on here. Why don't you try going outside once in a while...you won't be so bitter and angry all the time.

correction: apple & Microsoft fanboys know what other people want.

^or in pink...if it doen't come in pink its worthless.

[Edited on October 8, 2009 at 4:13 PM. Reason : .]

10/8/2009 4:12:13 PM

I haven't taken anything personally. I have nothing to be bitter about and I'm pretty far from angry. It's just extremely tiring to have to put up with your continuous stupidity day in and out. It's retarded to continue to defend obvious flaws in a product for no other reason than because it has a shiny apple logo on it. Yes, I love my iPhone, and yes I think iPods are among the best PMPs available but they could be better in lots of ways. Adding removable storage is, without a doubt, one of those ways.

10/8/2009 4:21:40 PM

^I'm not even debating an iPod nor do I even own one except for the iPhone. I just said 'removable storage is old school' in a half joking manor. You got your panties in a wad over that just like you get your panties in a wad over everything in tech talk. It is us who are tired of your shit. Now move the fuck along.

10/8/2009 4:38:31 PM

You're such a rabid Apple apologist, it's impossible to tell when you're joking. Not that I actually believe you were even half joking.

And the major thing that people are tired of seeing from me is pointing out how dumb you are. So how about you cut it out and everyone will be happy?

10/8/2009 5:19:24 PM

i like my zune 80. but if i wanted a small flash based player, i'd probably go for a sansa. those things are tiny and can be found for super cheap.

10/8/2009 5:26:52 PM

^^so tuff

10/8/2009 5:36:37 PM

Looks like the choice is a Sansa.

10/8/2009 10:08:18 PM

4gb fuze with microSD slot for $38

http://www.woot.com/

i, personally, use an e270 running rockbox with an 8gb microSD card...cost $50 about a year ago from woot

10/11/2009 11:30:09 AM

I have a Windows phone (new trademark!) with a 32GB uSD card. The card Cost a ton, but it is easy to load with DivX media straight from UseNet and play them on a TV (cable costs extra). Re-encoding is for sissies.

Does either the Zune or iPod play DivX yet? I checked, the Fuze seems to. As such, if you don't need a new cell phone, I'd suggest the ^ Fuze.

[Edited on October 11, 2009 at 11:45 AM. Reason : .,.]

10/11/2009 11:43:22 AM

sellout.woot has the 80GB iPod for $125

10/11/2009 11:51:12 AM

damn, can't beat that

10/11/2009 11:53:18 AM

To the OP, definitely look into the Zen. I have looked into the same thing before. I bought a 16GB Creative Zen a while back and threw in a 16GB card in it. I love the damn thing, especially when running/working out/bicycling. It's tiny as hell and weighs practically nothing. The X-Fi comes with pretty sweet headphones from what I've read. I would definitely consider going with a Zen if you want to go the expandable-storage route (which tools like Golovko cant possibly imagine).

[Edited on October 12, 2009 at 12:35 PM. Reason : ]

10/12/2009 12:35:26 PM

^fyi, I had mp3 players long before iPods that had expandable storage. So yes i can understand, dumbass. But when you have mp3 players that have storage capacities of todays market who the hell wants to deal with keeping track of SD cards and having their music stored in multiple mobile locations?

10/12/2009 12:38:09 PM

The Sansa players are where it's at. For a drag-and-drop music player they simply cannot be beat, especially considering the price.

10/12/2009 2:59:17 PM

I started looking into mp3 players when I thought my Creative Zen VPlus died...turned out it didn't, so I stuck with it

I, too, highly recommend Creative Zen products. However, when I looked there seemed to be a big gap between a general mp3 player (I think they have an 8GB model with an onboard speaker that i'm not a fan of, since it starts playing if you accidentally pull out the headphones) and then the next level up is an LCD/WiFi/Audiophile fap fest.

I still really like the product though

10/12/2009 5:26:13 PM

I talked to a few folks that owned the Zen and they seemed really pleased. I ended up ordering the 8GB model in the original post. What really pushed Zen over the edge is listening to my friend's 5 year old Zen which still looks and sounds great, and gets decent battery life as well. Their marketing has certainly fallen off over the years since they've given up on being an ipod killer, but @ the end of the day they're still banging out some very solid products.

10/14/2009 1:54:53 AM

word. I still use mine even though the lcd is busted to fuck. It sounds great and still works. Videos and pictures are kinda hosed though.

10/14/2009 10:01:18 AM