Are all MP3 Players basically the same??

Question

I am an electronically challeged mother of 3 girls, who all want ipods for their birthdays coming up. They are all asking for ipods, but even used on ebay they are very expensive. I noticed other MP3 players that looked similar and actually did more for a cheaper price. My question is: Are the cheaper MP3 players as good of quality as an ipod?? Would I be wasting my money on anything but an ipod?? Or would I just be paying "for the name" if I got the ipod?? They basically want them just to play music, but they wouldn't be mad if they held pictures or played videos.
Would appreciate any knowledgeable suggestions!!!

Answer 1

All mp3 players are basically the same. I own an iPod and it is great. My suggestion would be to get them iPods. The iPod Nano is the most popular because they come in 5 different colors and they are very thin and portable. There are 3 different types: 2GB (500 songs), 4GB (1,000 songs), and 8GB (2,000 songs). The 2GB is only $150 but it comes in silver only. That is probably what you should get. But if they want pink or something then the 4GB is $200. Black only comes in the 8GB model and it's $250. Although you have to download iTunes to put songs on the iPod, iTunes is (in my opinion) the best music player for computers.

Bottom line is if you don't want to spend a lot of money you should get them silver 2GB iPod Nanos. I'm sure they wont mind having silver.

Answer 2

Woah, Great demands. xD Yes, iPods are indeed expensive and can actually cost a couple hundred for 3. Don't any of them one. Even used iPods cost a lot. 129.99 may be the best offer, for a refurbished one at Apple. I doubt your daughter would want a refurbished ones.

Now off to answer your questions...

Cheaper MP3 player may have a better or close quality to the iPod. The song quality can hardly be noticed. iPods definitely have the look, but it is not as durable as some other players out there. Their screen quality, is OK, but some other players, have a better quality. The quality of the Sandisk Sansa e200 series, beats the quality of the iPod. Not to mention, it has a hard metal back case, which make the player really durable. One drop, two drop, three, four five or more drops won't harm the sansa.

No, in fact if you buy something other than an iPod, you would actually save a couple hundred dollars, now that is a BIG difference. The Sandisk Sansa e200 series as mentioned earlier cost way lesser. a 4gb model for only around $120-$150 brand new. Now if you go for the iPod Nano 4gb, $200 each... Ehhh, you see the difference? Sansa has a built in Voice/Radio Recorder, Radio, Photo, Video, Songs, and more. Functions WAY more.

Your definitely wasting money if you get an iPod. Your paying more for the brand name of it. It's just popular so the prices are skyrocket. Waste of money. Get a Sandisk Sansa e200 series and your daughters can brag in front of their friends. Hah.

So basically get the Sandisk Sansa e200 series. Purchase them at Circuit City, Amazon, Sandisk. http://sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1166)-SanDisk_Sansa_e200_Series_MP3_Players.aspx Look on the sandisk website for more details about the Sansa.

Answer 3

Yeah, all mp3 players are the same. Just make sure you choose one that manages the music well. Zunes are really nice, I'm not sure about the price though. You're daughter's probably want an Ipod because all the hip kids in school do, I'd make sure a different MP3 player is ok with them too.

Answer 4

All MP3s are same as what they could've been used for, iPod simply is a recognizable brand, and IMHO overhyped because Apple's loyalist customers are the most religious bunch I've come across.

But there is one peripheral advantage that it has due to the fact Apple is bankrolling behind it: iTune Online Store. Its CRM coded and locked to play on only authorized player merchandizes that reports itself as iPod platform.

To many, iPod represent the whole MP3 industry, so they might have meant some MP3 player.

Answer 5

make sure you can have accesss to a menu for your mp3 player. I bought my daughter one that didn't, and it was so lame. she couldn't tell what she was doing except for the list of commands in the book. Our family now owns 4 mp3's and it was still cheaper than 1 ipod.

Answer 6

yes but Somme have more features than others -


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkixXgMV4g /ipod vs zen m

http://www.creative.com/products/mp3

Another easy one !)

Answer 7

well really your paying for the name
but basicly yea they are all the same
just cuz iPods are popular right now