Smart Buying
Buyer's Guide for Music Players
When you're shopping for an iPod or another MP3 portable, here's what you'll need to know.
By Sean O'Neill
December 6, 2005
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Believe it or not, you are not the last person without an MP3 player. Yes they seem ubiquitous among the under-30 set, but MP3 owners make up a mere 11% of Americans, according to a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
You would never know it if you've shopped online or in stores for a player. The spec sheets and salespeople spew numbers, abbreviations and features at bewildering speeds. But hold your earbudless head high. Here's everything the iPod uninitiated need to know to get the most music for the money.
You get what you pay for
Like other digital equipment, more features, memory and speed carry bigger price tags. You'll want to get a player that meets your needs but not overspend for space or features you won't ever use. In broad strokes, here's what you could expect in different price ranges (we'll get more specific later on):
In the $50 range, you may only get enough memory to store a couple of CDs' worth of music. Some models also feature FM radio. But these devices may be slower or more difficult to use with some online music stores.
For around $100, you can get an MP3 player with the enough memory to store songs for short trips or long workouts but not enough to store every album you own. And you can expect a few more extras, which will vary by maker. Compatibility with top online music stores will still be limited.
For $300 and up, models typically offer 20 gigabytes or more of memory. That's enough room to store your entire music collection. Plus, these devices often have multi-media capacities, such as video playback. Premium players also have several small perks that enhance performance. For example, they typically use FireWire and Hi-Speed USB cables for transferring data between PC and player, which can transfer files faster than the USB cables that come with budget-priced MP3 players. Speed will vary depending on the quantity of data being transferred. For example, Firewire can be more than a third faster than USB for transferring video files.
Regardless of how much you're willing to spend, here are some key specs to consider.
Memory
One gigabyte (GB) of memory is equivalent to about 12 hours of music, generally speaking. If you cut the amount of memory in half -- 512 megabytes (MB) -- then you're looking at about six hours of music. Consider a minimum of 128 MB, enough to store the typical audiobook and have room left.
Memory card expansion slots allow you to add memory. This feature is especially popular on flash-based players and cell phones with MP3 capabilities. Pricing is reasonable. Case in point: A 512 MB card can cost about $35.
Memory comes in two basic forms: hard drive memory and flash memory.
Hard-drive memory uses rotating platters along with other moving parts. Think of your typical CD player or computer hard drive. It is found in premium players that generally start at $200. In today's players, hard-drive memory can store as much as 60 GB of songs and video files.
Flash-memory players use a memory chip. They are smaller and cheaper than hard-drive players. They have no moving parts, which means they are less likely than a hard-drive to skip mid-song. But flash memory players store fewer songs. While some can store up to about 8 GB, most MP3 players with flash memories store between 56 MB and 4 GB.
Features
FM radio. It's especially convenient option in players that have small memories because it expands your entertainment options. Built-in receivers for FM radio are common on models from many makers, such as Creative, Dell, and Sony. But FM radio is not a standard on the iPod models.
Displays. Some MP3 players, like the iPod Shuffle, don't have a display. They simply play the songs you upload in a random loop. If you're pickier about what you listen to when, then a clear easy-to-see screen is important. Screens can be full-color and crisp -- for video -- or monochrome for simple song menus and play lists. Compare screen sizes and appearance under different lighting and angles.
Battery life. About 15 hours of usage continuously on a charge is standard. Smaller flash-memory players typically run on double-A and triple-A batteries. Devices with more memory usually have a rechargeable battery, typically made of lithium-ion. Power users will want to go the rechargeable route even if it comes at a premium. You'll pay for the difference in copper tops.