It's hard to convince yourself to switch over from the iPod brand.

I had a very good experience with a Microsoft Zune... they are often a little bit cheaper than iPods for pretty much the same feature set. I also found the Zune software to be a little faster and little more intuitive than the iPod software. However, if you're interested in PURCHASING music, then iTunes tend to be a little more useful than the Zune Martketplace.

But there are other benefits to using an iPod, and this mainly comes from third party accessories. The Zune, while being a little more cost effective than the iPod, felt like you were the only left-handed person in a right hand world. I would go the gym and see iPod connection on the equipment, then frown uselessly at my Zune, blaming it for my general lack of fitting in to society. There are a handful of Zune accessories, but the iPod is becoming a cultural norm.

If you're interested in something much cheaper, with entirely different features and benefits, then look into the HCT brand of media players. HCT is a Korean company that puts out very affordable electronics, but they tend to approach them a little differently. I had an HCT media player that was very easy to use, but it broke rather easily. Be warned. The best part of the HCT player was that I didn't really need any software at all... just hook it up to the computer and drag files into the appropriate folder.

You have a lot of options in the media player world... my ~personal~ recommendation is to bite the bullet and accept that Apple has managed to dominate this playing field. Find a model of iPod that best fits your needs and go with that. (I would, however, avoid the newest iPod shuffle at all costs because it wins hands-down for worst user interface ever).
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I would go for a Zune HD. It is coming out very soon, and, in my opinion, it is the best looking MP3 player in the world. It comes with 8GB in the basic model, and will resell for about 250$.

As for syncing your music, Zune has a wireless capability, so if you have a laptop that supports it, it is pretty painless. You don't need iTunes to transfer music, you can just use drag and drop!
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I would look into the iPod Touch. It's in your price range and you can keep your existing iTunes format. If you consider WiFi a toaster maybe it's not for you, but it does make managing you music and many other things much easier. You may find you like getting music, pod casts and other info directly on to your device.
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I would go for the iPod Touch. Sounds like it's the right size, price and the touch screen and "apps" are a great bonus. Pretty much anyone is going to find an app you "can't live without".

> Price should preferably not be over $200-300.
The 16 GB iPod Touch is under $300. The 8 GB is under $230.

> I want something with a LOT of music storage space, but don't need a whole bunch of other bells and whistles like video, or phones, or cameras, or god know what else. Toasters?
It doesn't have a built-in camera, but it's great for storing pictures and showing them to someone with short notice. (And the picture are more current than the ones I've carried in my wallet! :-)

> I currently run all my music out of ITunes, so if you recommend something other than Ipod, please let me know what kind of program I'd need to use, and how well you like it.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

> Size of the unit isn't terribly important - as long as it's not so tiny that I lose it easily (don't want to wash it in my pocket!).
Since most of the dimensions of it are the touch screen, the size isn't wasted.

> And lastly, quality is important. I want something reliable that I can count on for years and years.
Good quality. The main concern here is the screen, especially if you happen to drop things frequently.

> Pretty is also good.
Sleek looking device.
Source(s):
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html

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It actually sounds like the iPod "Classic" is most likely what you want. If you don't need "bells and whistles" then I'm assuming video really isn't a big deal to you. If you don't need video, I think the iPod Touch isn't the best storage value (16 GB iTouch for $229 works out to $14.31/GB, 120 GB Classic for $250 works out to $2.08/GB).

The iPod Classic is $250 for 120 GB. You can get the Microsoft Zune for $229 (120 GB model), but then you have to move all your music around. I'm sure there are others that offer some better storage for the money, but again, you have to move all your music. To me, it's worth some money not to have to move all my music around.

Also, if you bring in your old iPod to an Apple store and recycle it, they'll give you 10% off your new one (http://bit.ly/68rie - now your price is $225).

If you are looking to save a few bucks and are willing, you could also consider a refurbished model (http://bit.ly/ev4K2c). I'm not sure it's worth the savings, but depending on how tight cash is, it might be an option.
Source(s):
http://store.apple.com/us
http://www.zune.com

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I just wanted to address your statement "quality is important. I want something reliable that I can count on for years and years." This doesn't equate to lots of storage. You might want to wait for awhile.

iPod is the best MP3 player to work with iTunes. You're familiar with it, it is pretty, has a great interface. You won't have to go through the huge effort of changing your entire music library away from iTunes since it won't reliably sync with any other devices.

Today, iPods with a lot of storage are still coming with magnetic, spinning hard drives. So, if you want more than 32GB or storage (in the iPod Touch, which is a heck of a lot) and want to go with 60GB or more, you're stuck with storage that has moving parts in it. Moving parts draw more battery power. Moving parts, like the heads and platters of a hard drive, tend to break. Especially when you move them around a lot. My roommate used to but iPods (he had to buy a lot of them) but broke them all the time because he's not very gentle with them. I turned him on to the iPod Nano, that uses flash memory (no moving parts) and he hasn't broken it since. However, the iPod Nano probably doesn't have enough storage for you (16 GB max at $199) - depending on your library. If your music library is smaller than 16GB consider the iPod Nano.

Let me give you this caveat. All hard drives fail, its just a matter of when and how. Hopefully, they don't fail before you've replaced the device. Solid state hard drives fail as well, but they theoretically only fail after a certain (very very high) number of writes to the same location on the drive. So, theoretically, your music library won't be changing frequently except for new stuff. Go for solid state and you'll probably have a device that lasts you a lot longer than one that doesn't have solid state. And since you're not interested in video, the state of the music on the device won't change much - granting you use well beyond that of a laptop with a solid state drive (likely).

The iPod Classic is still using magnetic drives, but I am predicting they will switch to solid state very soon. All of their other models sport them.
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Hi Gno,

I would suggest an iPod Classic or iPod Nano
If you are a heavy iTunes user, than I think that makes the most sense.
The Classic hold much more music for the money than the Nano but has a hard drive inside that is less durable than the Nano which uses flash memory.
I've seen videos of Nanos being run over by a car and still working.

BUT

Don't buy anything just yet!

Apple is widely expected to release their new iPod lineup next month (September 2009). Don't fall into the same predicament as I did by buying an iPod right before they replace it with a better model.
Source(s):
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=112002S5DW0W

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i would go for sony mp3 wireless walkman.

the features are:
The MP3 player market is full of innovative gadgets, and the new Sony Walkman NWZ-W202 is one such device. Most of the wireless
MP3 player uses the stereo Bluetooth
technology but the Sony goes one step beyond that by building the MP3 player inside the headphones. The W202 solves all the issues of a wireless MP3 player that arises due to the problem of RF and Bluetooth.

The $69 Sony Walkman NWZ-W202 is designed with earbud-style headphones and provides storage of 2GB. The music player comes in two color variants – pink and black.

The W202 consists of two rectangular-shaped audio modules. Each audio module is 2 inches long, 0.8-inch wide and 0.4-inch deep. Both modules are attached with each other with the help of a flexible neckband. Weighing just 1.3 ounces, the W202 is the smallest and lightest MP3 player available in the market at the moment.

Though the device is very small, there is no issue regarding the secure fit. You don’t need to worry that the device would fall while jogging, walking or jumping as it fits securely in the ears. The device comes with three pairs of different sized silicone eartips, one of which will definitely fit your ears.

As the music player is built inside the earphones, the user interface has to be untraditional. As there is not screen, the navigation becomes a bit tricks and it requires a lot of time to get used to. By default, the W202 plays the music in alphanumeric order but you can also play the music in shuffle mode by pressing the dedicated shuffle control, which is located inside the right earpiece. The bottom spine of the right earpiece houses all the controls, which include volume rocker and jog dial.

As expected, there are very few extras other than the basic audio playback. But there are a few niceties such as a feature which Sony calls Zappin. This unique feature allows you to browse through the songs by playing a snippet of the chorus of each track.

The snippet can be as long as 10 seconds, and if you want to play a song while listening to the snippets, just press the jog button. Another unique feature is the “quick-charge”, which provides 90 minutes of audio playback with a mere recharge of 3 minutes. Last but not the least; you just need to stick both the earpiece together to power off the device. The W202 supports MP3, AAC, and WMA music file formats. The W202 has rated battery life of 12 hours.
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I think you should wait for a few months. Signs are pointing that a New I pod Touch is coming out. The original is a very great device with Wifi, games and lots of cool apps. it can hold tons of songs (32GB). If you wait for a while, there will be an I pod touch with a camera on it. I think that it will be worth it to wait.

It will be around $250-$300 for a 16 GB.

Here is a report about the "New" I pod touch with a camera.

Also below is a size comparison compared to the other I pods.
Source(s):
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/september-9-ipod-event-gets-some-corrobo...

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The only reason you would buy any of the two mentioned is if you can not live with the simpler things in life, but if you want to be modern and have the latest and greatest, that is your decision, no offense intended, but the indians have a saying, "When the last animal has been hunted! The last fish, has been fished! The last vegetable farmed! Only then will you realize you can not eat your currency!"

My advice is not to spend at all, for tough times are ahead! Do not be one of the wealthy that spend and spend, and then when they are broke, look back at all they money they wished they would have saved! I speak this only in kindness, not to be intepreted as an insult! Do as your heart wishes, but in the end, realize when you have no food, that you can not eat your mp3 player!
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Microsoft has currently announced that the Zune HD will be available on 9/15/09 with a price tag of $289 for the 32gb Version.

I would honestly wait for this product to be released as all of the technology reviews on it have been fantastic.

I dont see if you are an apple user or a windows user...but if on Windows the Zune software will convert all of your iTunes songs to the Windows format and take your playlists too. You can then subscribe to a Zune pass for $15 per month and download music freely....you get to keep 10 songs per month..so in essence your cost is $5 a month to download as much as you want and build your library for permanent use by 10 songs a month. Awesome deal no.

So again....if you are on Windows - buy a Zune HD. If on MAC, stick with an iPod classic REFURBISHED from http://apple.com (bottom left of store page).

Hope that helps.
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I have found, there is no alternative to an apple Ipod, some stuff comes close but there is always something about the original.

Think of it as a Natural Diamond to a Man made Diamond. Both are the same purpose but one just has that little chill factor.

(If you are looking at buying an Apple Ipod let me know I might be able to help you)

If you use Itunes already apple will make it easier to keep up with what you know.

Almost every apple has all the bells and whistles though (trust me you might not care now but when you get it youll love them).

You will want an Ipod that has about 8Gigs of memory (I have probably 700 or so songs + Tons of other crap on my 8 gig and I am just about at 1/2 full).

64 gigs is more for people who have movies and apps.

An Ipod touch (I have that) will cost around $230 + Tax from the website (free shipping and free engraving).

The batteries also kick BUTT on Ipods (Ill go not charging my for about 2 days on and off).
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I think the iPod Nano is a good fit for your needs. It is attractive, low cost, works with iTunes, and comes in a variety of colors. If you need more space I would recommend getting the 16gb Nano which costs $199, just under your budget. I would recommend waiting 2 or 3 weeks though as Apple is rumored to be releasing new iPods and this usually results in price drops (and also a rumored camera). Although there are some great MP3 players the fact that you use iTunes means that an iPod will fit best into your work flow.
Source(s):
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/28/apple-resellers-report-ipod-stocks-dwin...
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_nano?mco=MTE2NT...

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I pods are generally more expensive, but you get that satisfaction of having that top notch product. You can definitely get more of your money's worth with other brands. If short on money try generics on E bay or Craig's List. As with most of us, we let our electronics get scratched up in time for the next generation of the electronic gadget, so I'd say as long as it gets the job done for a reasonable price.
Peace! :)
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Wait until 9/9, when Apple has a music event scheduled. It is likely that you will be able to get a 32GB iPod Touch in your price range at that point.

The Touch is head and shoulders above anything else on the market, primarily because it is a very useful computer in addition to being an audio and video player. The number and usefulness of the apps available in the App Store is amazing, and they are very cheap or often free. I routinely carry dozens of books and games, train schedules for every teansit system within hundreds of miles, a guitar tuner/metronome/chord chart, etc.

I don't even think the ZuneHD is going to be competitive on price and features after 9/9, but it has some additional downsides as well. The iPods will work on Mac or Windows, the Zune Windows only. The Zune Marketplace is simply one of the worst pieces of software I have ever used, it needs a major rewrite to get to adequate. I would love to see some other MP3 player do well, competition is good for us consumers, but the Zune isnt there yet.
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Hi
iPod is probably the first choice but there may be another option for you but you should take the following into account.

iPod
will give you plenty of storage for a pretty big library but you can always split libraries down in iTunes by using play lists or smart playlists because i am a believer that you cant ever need to carry 60Gb of tunes in your pocket.

The iPod classic is a pretty solid unit with plenty of storage up to 120Gb

http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/

you are used to using iTunes so wouldn't need to switch to another app for transferring all of your tunes over to the new player if it wasn't an iPod.

Alternatives

Cowon - S9
up to 32Gb and very stylish
easy transfer of files from PC as the unit is identified as a disk so you can load your files right on

http://www.cowonglobal.com/

has an FM radio
Sound EQ
touch screen

or you could wait for the Zune HD

http://social.zune.net/home.aspx?culture=en-us

I had a Cowon and an iPod touch before and both were great i have never dabbled in the Zune world and i don't think the last version got very good press so it lok like you will have to take a bite from the apple

:)

happy hunting
Source(s):
www.apple.com
www.zune.net
http://www.cowonglobal.com/

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