| Apple iPod Best large-capacity MP3 player. | | | | a monthly basis. The Zen has an FM tuner and |
| (30GB, est. $300) | | | | a voice recorder, both missing on the iPod |
| | | | and iPod nano. The Zen, however, is heavier |
| The iPod leads the market among hard-drive | | | | (4 ounces) and bulkier than the much-sleeker |
| players, and it's still a strong favorite in | | | | iPod nano, and it's not as easy to use as any |
| reviews. The latest iPod plays both photos | | | | of the iPod models. Sound quality, according |
| and video on its color screen, but according | | | | to reviews, is excellent. The Zen is only |
| to reviews the 2.5-inch screen is too small | | | | compatible with Windows XP. |
| for extended viewing. If you don't need | | | | |
| space for 7,500 songs, the iPod nano and Zen | | | | MobiBLU DAH-1500i Smallest MP3 player. (1GB, |
| Micro Photo are smaller and lighter than the | | | | est. $130) |
| 4.8-ounce iPod. The Creative Zen Micro Photo | | | | |
| doesn't have the iPod's easy interface, but | | | | The MobiBLU is about the size of a caramel |
| the Zen Micro does have an FM tuner and voice | | | | candy -- about a one-inch cube. But |
| recorder, and it's compatible with the latest | | | | remarkably, according to reviews it's also a |
| music-subscription services. The iPod has | | | | pretty good player, with a lot of features |
| none of these features. A 60GB iPod sells for | | | | crammed into its tiny body. It has a tiny |
| $400. The iPod is both Mac and Windows | | | | OLED display, an FM tuner and a voice |
| compatible. | | | | recorder in a .63-ounce case. The MobiBLU is |
| | | | easy to use, and though sound quality is |
| Apple iPod nano Best MP3 player overall. | | | | good, reviews claim it's not up to the level |
| (2GB, est. $200) | | | | of iPod and Creative. At about 8.5 hours, |
| | | | battery life is a bit short. The MobiBLU |
| The iPod nano is only about ?-inch thick and | | | | works with both Windows and Mac computers. |
| weighs 1.5 ounces. According to reviews, the | | | | The MobiBLU comes in six colors and is also |
| iPod nano tops all other MP3 players in | | | | available with 512MB (est. $100). |
| reference to style, sound quality and | | | | |
| ease-of-use. By using flash memory instead | | | | Budget MP3 player. (512MB, est. $85) |
| of a hard drive, it has no moving parts, | | | | |
| making it a better choice for the gym than | | | | The Zen Nano beats the iPod Shuffle in price |
| the full-size iPod; The Best MP3 Players | | | | and sounds great, according to experts. It |
| According To Reviewsit also includes a lap | | | | comes in eight different colors (including |
| counter. The 2GB nano, which stores nearly | | | | pink and orange) and doesn't skimp on |
| 500 songs, is PC and Mac compatible. Despite | | | | features, with an FM tuner, LCD display, |
| the widespread raves for the iPod nano, | | | | voice recorder and line-in recording -- all |
| reviews and owners say it scratches very | | | | features missing on the competing iPod |
| easily, and that using a protective case is a | | | | shuffle. It runs 19 hours on a single AAA |
| necessity instead of an option. | | | | battery. Experts say the Zen Nano Plus is |
| | | | the best inexpensive lightweight flash player |
| Creative Zen Micro Photo Most features. | | | | -- it weighs just 1.3 ounces. Its 512MB |
| (8GB, est. $250) | | | | memory holds about 60 songs. |
| | | | |
| The Zen Micro Photo, which comes in one of | | | | Gloria Ramirez is writer and administrator |
| ten colors, is the best iPod alternative for | | | | for |
| those with Windows-centric music collections. | | | | |
| It plays copy-protected WMA songs purchased | | | | Bargain-Savings.com, which is an online |
| from online stores like Napster, and it's | | | | variety store carrying useful products that |
| compatible with the latest music subscription | | | | you will love. |
| services, which allows you to 'rent' music on | | | | |