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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Choosing Your MP3 Player

By Helena Enteerha

If you're thinking about getting an MP3 player then you need to brush up on MP3 player basics. There are many makes and models to choose from but some of them are not very good quality. Some players double as video players, or have advanced audio functions built in as a secondary feature. Finding a player that's just limited to playing music is something of a rarity these days.

Playing music is just one of the many features you can find on the Apple iPod. In fact, they are so far ahead of everyone else, some of the benefits aren't found on other units. Simplicity of use is perhaps their biggest feature, and it took some time before other companies were able to challenge them in usability. Using an iPod is as simple as downloading songs, and playing them for your enjoyment.

There are many iPod knock-off brands out there, especially at smaller local stores and gift shops. These are typically to be avoided however. They might be cheap, but their lifespan is usually comically short. And obviously they will be sorely lacking in features.

Another thing to think about is the battery life. Most of the cheaper models will use triple As, which fade out quickly. In today's world most of the models will use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. What it will come down to is whether or not you want to purchase batteries every month or just recharge the unit.

One of the most important, but overlooked MP3 player basics is the durability. People will often flock to a new product because it has a certain feature, but they will not wait and see how it holds up to user tests. This can often result in buying a fragile product that can be damaged very easily. Replacing your player in two months is not something you want to have to do because of poor craftsmanship.

This happens very rarely with major name brands and outlets, but cheaper companies and stores cut corners where they can. This is why it's best to do your research before committing to buy any particular player. The Apple iPod for example is subjected to various manufacturer tests before being allowed on the market. You can still break it if you try, but it won't break from general usage.

Oh, and we can't forget about the button layout. On some occasions, you can find cheap alternatives that only have 2 buttons; stop and play. These are actually out there, but you find these in lower income outlets. This is truly the bottom of the barrel, and if you get one of these you're just waiting for disaster to strike.

What it comes down to is you just need to do a bit of research before purchasing an MP3 Player. Whether you are looking at the functions, checking the life of the battery, or wondering about the durability, the info can be found fairly quickly nowadays. If you don't have the time or don't feel like dealing with the hassles, then just purchase an Apple iPod. The Shuffle is cheap (starts around $50) but has no visual display, while the Nano (around $140) is a great player with a natural interface. The Classic (around $230 and up) has a larger display, and the Touch ($200 and up) has Internet access where Wi-Fi is available. You can also find new units of the previous generation pretty easily, and get a 10% or higher discount on those prices. - 18423

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