| If you've just decided that the time is now | | | | looks good and you'll score some points with |
| right to buy an MP3 player then you might | | | | your friends - but, if this isn't so |
| well feel completely confused about the | | | | important to you, then do shop around and |
| choices you have to make. It doesn't matter | | | | look at other models before you make your |
| whether you have a big budget or whether you | | | | final choice. Many manufacturers have made |
| want to keep it cheap and simple - there are | | | | great moves to make their players look just |
| a bewildering number of different players out | | | | as good as Apple's products (take a look at |
| there to choose from. Like any purchase if | | | | the Creative Zen Micro range as an example) |
| you buy the right MP3 player then you'll | | | | and many will even give you features and |
| spend your money wisely - buy the wrong model | | | | benefits that you won't get from an iPod.Many |
| and you'll end up having to spend more money | | | | of us buy an MP3 player on impulse but this |
| in the long run.The key thing to think about | | | | really isn't the way to go. If you want to |
| first of all when you look to buy an MP3 | | | | make the right choice for your needs you |
| player is the type of player that will suit | | | | should do dome research first and the easiest |
| you best. There are two primary choices for | | | | way to do this is to go online and read some |
| you here. The first type of portable player | | | | reviews or guides - ideally those written by |
| you can look at is one that uses Flash | | | | other consumers like yourself as well as the |
| memory. Players that use Flash memory have no | | | | official literature produced by the |
| moving parts - they work on an embedded | | | | manufacturers. These kinds of consumer |
| memory chip. So, these models will be small | | | | reviews will give you a great idea of how a |
| and won't skip or jog even if you're training | | | | digital player will actually work 'in the |
| for a sprint or working out at the gym.The | | | | field' so you'll get an instant feel for the |
| downside here is that you won't get a huge | | | | best player for your needs.For example, if |
| memory capacity with a Flash player - but, if | | | | you read reviews on particular players you'll |
| you're only using the machine to listen to | | | | learn all kinds of stuff that you wouldn't |
| music for short periods while you exercise or | | | | otherwise be able to find out without buying |
| while you are out and about for a few hours | | | | and using a player. There are all kinds of |
| then this won't be an issue.The second type | | | | issues associated with finding the right |
| of MP3 player to consider is one that works | | | | player that don't get covered elsewhere. A |
| on a hard drive principle. These machines | | | | good review, however, will tell you all about |
| hold their memory in a hard drive just like a | | | | stuff such as:Software issuesMost MP3 players |
| computer - so they can hold more memory as | | | | come with their own software to help you |
| they will have larger capacity than Flash | | | | manage your audio ripping and downloads. If |
| drive models. Nowadays it's perfectly | | | | you take some time to look at reviews you'll |
| feasible to buy a player with a massive 60GB | | | | get an idea for how the software works and |
| of built-in memory which is enough to keep | | | | how useful it actually is from people that |
| the keenest music fan happy for a long | | | | have already used it.Sound qualityOne of the |
| time!This does mean that these kinds of | | | | biggest issues with MP3 players is the sound |
| players will be larger than Flash based | | | | playback quality of the players. A good |
| models - but with today's technology this | | | | review will tell you what you need to know |
| won't mean a huge increase in size. And, you | | | | here.Downloading compatibilityYou may be able |
| will find that a player with a hard drive is | | | | to find out if the player you favor works |
| that bit more fragile in terms of skipping | | | | with specific legal music download services |
| jogging. Basically these models are not | | | | or not. Don't assume that all players work |
| designed to let you listen to your audio | | | | with all services as this isn't the |
| while undertaking strenuous exercise!Your | | | | case.Battery lifeSome players have a built-in |
| choice here really comes down to what you | | | | battery that you need to recharge and others |
| want to buy an MP3 player for. If you have a | | | | work on standard batteries. In either case |
| vast CD collection that you want to rip to a | | | | you need to get a feel for how long a battery |
| player or hanker after using a download | | | | charge will actually last - if your batteries |
| service to build up your music collection | | | | only last a couple of hours then your player |
| then you'll probably end up opting for a | | | | will be expensive to run and not as truly |
| player with a hard drive to get a decent | | | | portable as it should be. The actual battery |
| memory capacity. But, if you simply want to | | | | time can be a lot less than the time quoted |
| take your player out while you exercise or | | | | by manufacturers in their marketing |
| while you commute to work then you may well | | | | literature.Ease of useAll MP3 players are not |
| opt for a Flash based player instead.It is | | | | equal and some are not as easy or as |
| vital to get this choice right as - if you | | | | convenient to use as you might think. Again, |
| get it wrong - you'll probably find you end | | | | quality MP3 player reviews will give you an |
| up upgrading sooner rather than later. You | | | | insight into this.Finally, the best way to |
| cannot add memory to the majority of MP3 | | | | buy an MP3 player is to make sure that you |
| players - you have to buy a new one if you | | | | get it at the cheapest cost possible. Prices |
| need more capacity as time goes on. There are | | | | in the sector are extremely changeable and |
| however some players that come with memory | | | | it's always possible to get a good bargain if |
| card capacity slots which could be an | | | | you shop around a little. Online price |
| alternative solution but this won't allow you | | | | comparison sites are always very good at |
| to store all of your music on the player and | | | | digging out the lowest cost with major stores |
| you'll have to keep a library of memory cards | | | | both on and offline and could help you save a |
| as well.For many of us the MP3 player of | | | | lot of money.By Carol Finch of Finch is a |
| choice is the Apple iPod. This player has | | | | regular contributor to MP3 Players N' |
| become a 'must-have' fashion accessory as | | | | Reviews, a website built by MP3 player lovers |
| well as a great MP3 player. There's nothing | | | | FOR MP3 player lovers. |
| wrong with going with an iPod because it | | | | |