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[Hero]

Thanks to the PSP, I no longer need a full fledged MP3 player.

However, I would like a small, light one to have when I go working out or just walking around from classes and the such.

I was thinking of getting an iPod shuffle, but since I don't really follow the mp3 market I wanted to see what other viable options were.

So basically, the features that I want are:

- light
- easy
- long battery life

I'm not really an audiophile so as long as the quality isn't just pure shit I don't mind average sound. Also, I guess I'd like to be able to drop it and not have a heart attack.

Also, with an iPod shuffle, can you put other forms of storage on there? Like does it act like a jumpdrive? Say if I wanted to back up some files and bring it to a friends or class.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

- light
- easy
- long battery life

You need an iPod shuffle. It's got everything you need, and the mere act of purchasing it will make tech nerds angry with you. Win/win situation.

And yes, you can store non-music files on it.

 

[Ecrofirt]

but it has no screen

 

[Nintendo Ate My Children]

but it has no screen

HOW WILL I EVER KNOW WHAT SONG I'M LISTENING TO?

 

[cvxfreak]

Yes, an iPod shuffle would be perfect. It's light, easy to use, stylish and easy to put on.

 

[Jason]

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...&productId=1001276&navigationPath=46881n32124

 

[Ecrofirt]

dunno. The screen issue seems legitimate to me. When I can fit a bunch of music on an MP# player, I'd like to be able to go through my music quickly and get to exactly the song I want to listen to.

 

[BTMash]

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...&productId=1001276&navigationPath=46881n32124

That flash player does look amazing. What does not, however, is the price ($250 cdn???? While the ipod shuffle does not have a screen, $75 cdn is an issue)

 

[Jason]

it's in canadian $$$ so i'd assume 200 USD or less for the 1 gig version.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Go with this one. 1 GB of storage like the iPod Shuffle, but with a screen that allows you to control playlists much more effectively. Some people feel they can get away with not having a screen, but to me it's absolutely imperative. I want to know what is coming up in my play list, create and edit different playlists, etc. It also has an FM radio receiver, voice recorder, and can be used to move files as well. All that, and i costs less then the Shuffle.

Edit: Amazon has this one as well. Get it here.

 

[BTMash]

If you want a screen, I'd take a look at this one (Cowon iAudio U2 1 GB )

$161 USD, 20 hr battery life, light, screen, can act as data storage. I don't know how easy to use it is or how it sounds (hopefully someone on here knows, but I think both are good), but I think it satisfies everything you've asked for.

Go with this one. 1 GB of storage like the iPod Shuffle, but with a screen that allows you to control playlists much more effectively. Some people feel they can get away with not having a screen, but to me it's absolutely imperative. I want to know what is coming up in my play list, create and edit different playlists, etc. It also has an FM radio receiver, voice recorder, and can be used to move files as well. All that, and i costs less then the Shuffle.

Edit: Amazon has this one as well. Get it here.

While I think that this might be a better player (as it plays DRM music), what you have look at is whether or not you want an internal battery. The one you posted uses a AAA battery. So take that into account for your consideration.

 

[Hero]

I didn't know that some would run off batteries instead of built in ones, but I should've mentioned that I hate buying batteries. It looks sexy, but AAA just makes me go

iPod shuffle is really tempting. That iAudio U2 is pretty sexy too.

For the iPod shuffle, do you need to use iTunes to put music on it? Or is it just click & drag? That's an important aspect I didn't consider.

 

[Vgamer]

I didn't know that some would run off batteries instead of built in ones, but I should've mentioned that I hate buying batteries. It looks sexy, but AAA just makes me go

Just buy some energizer rechargable AAA batteries and a charger and you are all set no need to be buying tons of batteries when it runs out

 

[BTMash]

For the ipod, yes, you will need iTunes (or the mlpod plugin for winamp) to play music. The iAudio is drag and drop, I believe. However, I'm unsure on whether you can organize it by folders or just put mp3s on there.

 

[The Faceless Master]

iRiver iFP-799 = top tier
the Cowon iAudio is good too

from what i read sometime during xmas, the sandisk player has some bugs..

 

[wandering goat]

Well, you can drag and drop to the shuffle but iTunes has to be open to do this. Not much of a difference to me anyway. Really, you just have to consider how you want your music accessed. If you don't really want to use iTunes, then there are better options out there available for you as iTunes compatability is the main feature the shuffle has going for it. The shuffle can only reach its full potential if you use iTunes to organize the music you want to play on it for you. If you want to pick all of the music that you'll be putting on there by yourself then you might as well get yourself something with a screen/menu.

 

[BTMash]

Well, you can drag and drop to the shuffle but iTunes has to be open to do this.

I don't know how it is for shuffle, but in the mini and above, you can select the ipod to act as a storage drive and it will show up as a removable drive to which you can drag and drop files. However, if you are referring to the music itself, then yes, you are correct in what you said.