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