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.
A prime example is the Apple iPod. In the good old days it was simply used to play music. In recent memory they have come out with so many advanced features, most of them aren't found in other units. The MP3 player is geared for easy navigation. Even though the extra benefits are nice to some, others just want a little piece of technology that plays music. Plus, iPods usually cost a bit more as well.
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 one of the MP3 player basics is that it has to have good battery life. A cheap model may still use the old AAA sized batteries that wear out quickly. Most models made with any quality will use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. When buying a player you have to decide whether you want to buy batteries every month, or simply recharge it.
Durability is usually the most overlooked area when it comes to music players. Everyone jumps on the hyped up bandwagon of a new product, but most of us forget about the longevity of the product. This can lead to products that are easily damaged, break down, or simply don't live up to the durability factors.
If you go with one of the larger electronics brands like Apple or Sony, durability probably won't be a concern (although there are some notoriously breakable units out there; a glance at a unit's reviews should be enough to clue you in on whether it's solid or not). The lower echelon of companies will try to cut corners wherever they can to offer a somewhat similar product for a cheaper price, so don't be surprised when a player like that breaks down.
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.
Before you go out and buy any type of player, remember to look at all the functions, check the battery life, and anything else that would give you a clue to its overall quality. Course if you don't want to go through the hassle of lots of research and testing, you can always just purchase an Apple iPod. They're considered the best on the market for a lot of reasons. An iPod Nano is good introductory buy, the Classic is great for users that demand more features and a larger screen, and a Touch will give you internet wherever there's open Wi-Fi. If you want to save some money, get an older generation iPod - there's usually not much different in practical features you'll actually use, and you say save 10% or more on the price.
A prime example is the Apple iPod. In the good old days it was simply used to play music. In recent memory they have come out with so many advanced features, most of them aren't found in other units. The MP3 player is geared for easy navigation. Even though the extra benefits are nice to some, others just want a little piece of technology that plays music. Plus, iPods usually cost a bit more as well.
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 one of the MP3 player basics is that it has to have good battery life. A cheap model may still use the old AAA sized batteries that wear out quickly. Most models made with any quality will use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. When buying a player you have to decide whether you want to buy batteries every month, or simply recharge it.
Durability is usually the most overlooked area when it comes to music players. Everyone jumps on the hyped up bandwagon of a new product, but most of us forget about the longevity of the product. This can lead to products that are easily damaged, break down, or simply don't live up to the durability factors.
If you go with one of the larger electronics brands like Apple or Sony, durability probably won't be a concern (although there are some notoriously breakable units out there; a glance at a unit's reviews should be enough to clue you in on whether it's solid or not). The lower echelon of companies will try to cut corners wherever they can to offer a somewhat similar product for a cheaper price, so don't be surprised when a player like that breaks down.
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.
Before you go out and buy any type of player, remember to look at all the functions, check the battery life, and anything else that would give you a clue to its overall quality. Course if you don't want to go through the hassle of lots of research and testing, you can always just purchase an Apple iPod. They're considered the best on the market for a lot of reasons. An iPod Nano is good introductory buy, the Classic is great for users that demand more features and a larger screen, and a Touch will give you internet wherever there's open Wi-Fi. If you want to save some money, get an older generation iPod - there's usually not much different in practical features you'll actually use, and you say save 10% or more on the price.
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