| Apple iPod Best large-capacity MP3 player. (30GB, est. | | | | Creative Zen Micro Photo Most features. (8GB, est. |
| $300) | | | | $250) |
| The iPod leads the market among hard-drive players, | | | | The Zen Micro Photo, which comes in one of ten |
| and it's still a strong favorite in reviews. The latest iPod | | | | colors, is the best iPod alternative for those with |
| plays both photos and video on its color screen, but | | | | Windows-centric music collections. It plays |
| according to reviews the 2.5-inch screen is too small | | | | copy-protected WMA songs purchased from online |
| for extended viewing. If you don't need space for | | | | stores like Napster, and it's compatible with the latest |
| 7,500 songs, the iPod nano and Zen Micro Photo are | | | | music subscription services, which allows you to 'rent' |
| smaller and lighter than the 4.8-ounce iPod. The | | | | music on a monthly basis. The Zen has an FM tuner |
| Creative Zen Micro Photo doesn't have the iPod's | | | | and a voice recorder, both missing on the iPod and |
| easy interface, but the Zen Micro does have an FM | | | | iPod nano. The Zen, however, is heavier (4 ounces) |
| tuner and voice recorder, and it's compatible with the | | | | and bulkier than the much-sleeker iPod nano, and it's |
| latest music-subscription services. The iPod has none | | | | not as easy to use as any of the iPod models. Sound |
| of these features. A 60GB iPod sells for $400. The | | | | quality, according to reviews, is excellent. The Zen is |
| iPod is both Mac and Windows compatible. | | | | only compatible with Windows XP. |
| Apple iPod nano Best MP3 player overall. (2GB, est. | | | | MobiBLU DAH-1500i Smallest MP3 player. (1GB, est. |
| $200) | | | | $130) |
| The iPod nano is only about ¼-inch thick and | | | | The MobiBLU is about the size of a caramel candy -- |
| weighs 1.5 ounces. According to reviews, the iPod | | | | about a one-inch cube. But remarkably, according to |
| nano tops all other MP3 players in reference to style, | | | | reviews it's also a pretty good player, with a lot of |
| sound quality and ease-of-use. By using flash memory | | | | features crammed into its tiny body. It has a tiny OLED |
| instead of a hard drive, it has no moving parts, making | | | | display, an FM tuner and a voice recorder in a |
| it a better choice for the gym than the full-size iPod; it | | | | .63-ounce case. The MobiBLU is easy to use, and |
| also includes a lap counter. The 2GB nano, which | | | | though sound quality is good, reviews claim it's not up |
| stores nearly 500 songs, is PC and Mac compatible. | | | | to the level of iPod and Creative. At about 8.5 hours, |
| Despite the widespread raves for the iPod nano, | | | | battery life is a bit short. The MobiBLU works with both |
| reviews and owners say it scratches very easily, and | | | | Windows and Mac computers. The MobiBLU comes in |
| that using a protective case is a necessity instead of | | | | six colors and is also available with 512MB (est. $100). |
| an option. | | | | |