Buying a Portable Media Player

soppy1291 · 05-14-2008, 05:16 PM

I am in the market for a new portable media player. I am going on lots of trips this summer and want to at least have MP3's and movies (preferably photos too but not necessary) for these trips. I will need to order it soon. It must have at least 30GB of space, a decent screen (think iTouch sized) and not be too bulky or thick. I can't go over $300. I have been looking for a really long time and wanted to see what your suggestions would be for the best/closest to my specs. I currently use iTunes so bonus points if your suggestion works with that. I was considering a Zune but am hesitant to buy one, after all it is Microsoft and my Dad bought a Wing Smartphone (or something like that) and it keeps messing up. Are Zunes bad like this? Thanks a lot in advance.

**oddball2910** · 06-11-2008, 06:09 PM

I do not personally have one, but i know a few people who have a Zune and they absolutely love them. I know that they work fairly well, but the battery life while watching videos isn't the greatest--only four hours or so. It doesn't support very many video formats but that's easily fixable with conversion software. Poor reviews for a zune are few and far between.

MountainMike · 06-20-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soppy1291

I am in the market for a new portable media player. I am going on lots of trips this summer and want to at least have MP3's and movies (preferably photos too but not necessary) for these trips. I will need to order it soon. It must have at least 30GB of space, a decent screen (think iTouch sized) and not be too bulky or thick. I can't go over $300. I have been looking for a really long time and wanted to see what your suggestions would be for the best/closest to my specs. I currently use iTunes so bonus points if your suggestion works with that. I was considering a Zune but am hesitant to buy one, after all it is Microsoft and my Dad bought a Wing Smartphone (or something like that) and it keeps messing up. Are Zunes bad like this? Thanks a lot in advance.

I have found, for myself, that traveling and movies do not mix. My choice was a solid-state Samsung Zen with a small (by today's standards) 1 GB capacity. I chose to listen to music and other audio MP3 files. I chose a solid-state device with an AA battery as a power source so that the device would survive dropping and be easily re-powerable no matter where I was. Keep in mind that devices powered by proprietary Li-Ion batteries must have the batteries replaced by a service shop or the manufacturer.

It sounds to me like you would almost want a laptop for your purposes - it would give you a very nice screen size.

I have heard negative comments about the Zune, and like yourself, shun MS devices.

Mike

stressfreesoul · 06-23-2008, 02:52 AM

Some of the newer Archos players are good. My father swears by them.

05-14-2008, 05:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
soppy1291 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 215 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition My System	Buying a Portable Media Player I am in the market for a new portable media player. I am going on lots of trips this summer and want to at least have MP3's and movies (preferably photos too but not necessary) for these trips. I will need to order it soon. It must have at least 30GB of space, a decent screen (think iTouch sized) and not be too bulky or thick. I can't go over $300. I have been looking for a really long time and wanted to see what your suggestions would be for the best/closest to my specs. I currently use iTunes so bonus points if your suggestion works with that. I was considering a Zune but am hesitant to buy one, after all it is Microsoft and my Dad bought a Wing Smartphone (or something like that) and it keeps messing up. Are Zunes bad like this? Thanks a lot in advance.

06-11-2008, 06:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
oddball2910 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,070 OS: WinXP SP2 My System	Re: Buying a Portable Media Player I do not personally have one, but i know a few people who have a Zune and they absolutely love them. I know that they work fairly well, but the battery life while watching videos isn't the greatest--only four hours or so. It doesn't support very many video formats but that's easily fixable with conversion software. Poor reviews for a zune are few and far between. __________________

06-23-2008, 02:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
stressfreesoul Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North East England (wehey!!!) Posts: 419 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Buying a Portable Media Player Some of the newer Archos players are good. My father swears by them. __________________ *trust me.....Im a doctor...*