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- MP3 Players Best Buys Guide
Created 26/11/2007
MP3 Players continue to drop in price with a better than ever range of features including video, photos, internet access and wi fi. To give you some ideas on what to buy here's five of the most highly recommended MP3 Players.
The Apple iPod Nano continues to be a top choice with consumers worldwide and at Review Centre they have been explaining why. Users at Review Centre are in love with the Nano, available in either 4GB or 8GB flash drive, because it is stylish and slim, has a nice bright screen and is powerful and easy to use. The Nano has long been a favourite on account of its wafer thin size making it perfect for slipping in your pocket or attaching to your clothes while walking, jogging or working out. Now the latest model includes video, allowing you to enjoy television, music videos, video podcasts and home cinema as well as music playing. The latest Apple iPod Nano also includes a larger, brighter 2 inch display with improved picture quality. At 320 x 240 it's the glossiest screen yet from Apple, offering more pixels per inch of any Apple display. Other features include blue-white LED backlight and a new scroll wheel which makes these newer versions easier to use. Playtime of up to 5 hours of video or up to 24 hours of audio on a single charge is achievable and it also holds up to 2,000 songs; up to 7,000 iPod Nano-viewable photos; and up to 8 hours of video (8gb). Apple promises skip-free playback and each iPod Nano comes with earphones, high speed USB 2.0 cable, dock adaptor and starter guide. You can read plenty of reviews at Review Centre which go to show why the Nano has been one of the number one selling MP3 players during the run up to Xmas 2007. The aluminium top, stainless steel back and gentle curves plus the choice of five great colours make it an attractive little object! Even better news is that the 4GB and 8GB models can be bought new for less than £100!
Sansdisk players have been flying off the shelves in the run up to Xmas 2007 and no wonder. They are super cheap, look good, are well built and have a good reputation for reliability. The Sandisk Sansa M240 may have a lack of features compared to some of Apple and the other big manufacturer's more advanced players but that might be an advantage if you just want a basic player which is simple to use. Storage capacity is plenty with up to 4GB of memory on offer which is capable of playing back over 64 hours of MP3 music. The 1GB model, which is highly recommended, will play back over 16 hours of MP3 music or 32 hours of WMA. The Sandisk Sansa M240 1GB also offers up to 19 hours continuous playback using one AAA Battery, which is included - making things very nice and simple with no need for recharging. Voice recording with built-in microphone is incorporated and some players come with FM radio. You also get a standard hi-speed USB 2.0 connection The playing options are very decent and simple to use with choice of repeat track function, random sequence (similar to the iPod Shuffle) and the opportunity to play all songs on continual play. Further good news includes the fact that the Sandisk Sansa M240s are also very smart looking with an indigo backlit LCD screen and they also come with carrying case and armband. Basically, for less than £30 what are you waiting for? Users find this product an absolute delight to operate in terms of the screen and controls and many rate the sound quality as excellent. An ideal player for the super savvy non style obsessed out there? We think so.
If you are seeking simplicity and style and like the sound of owning an iPod but don't want to splash too much cash this Xmas why not let the 1GB iPod shuffle tempt you with up to 240 songs while you work, rest or play. It's one of the highest recommended MP3 Players at Review Centre, recommended by 78 per cent of reviewers and scoring particularly highly for sound quality and value for money. It's always a popular choice due to its ease of use and easy compatibility with PC and other products. Also, because of the fact that it does not have a screen and lots of features like the more advanced players do this means it is very cheap, small and light. In fact, the iPod Shuffle it's one of the lightest MP3 Players on the market which means it is ideal for jogger or anyone with an active lifestyle. The extra good news is that latest models are better than ever with a choice of four new colours as well as the original silver and prices are also dropping. The 1GB USB flash drive enables you to hold up to 240 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format and you can store data with ease via the USB 2.0 flash drive. Skip-free playback is guaranteed. Other features include built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery, a playtime of up to 12 hours when fully charged. Comes with earphones, dock, start guide and 3.5-mm stereo headphone and minijack. Have you tried the latest Shuffle? Why not write a review?
Very nice looking, the Zen Sleek is Creative's feature packed alternative to the classic iPod albeit smaller and lighter. For many, this is regarded as Creative's best player yet - good going from a company with a formidable reputation for value for money and performance; and it is indeed an attractive option for those who want something a little bit different. The main attraction for many is the super neat finish and solid build - polished aluminium with white contours. What's more the intuitive design Touch Pad control and large blue backlit display makes it easy to use even in poor light and with one hand. The powerful Zen Sleek can also store up to 10,000 songs in WMA or 5,000 in MP3, while quick and easy downloads from a PC at up to a song per second are assured via USB 2.0. It can also record direct from its built-in FM radio and microphone and offers up to 18 hours playtime from the rechargeable battery. Users at Review Centre have been very satisfied and rate its specs and usability as first rate. The Zen Sleek receives the thumbs up from the vast majority of users for features, value for money, battery life and sound quality who are happy enough to recommend it to others - currently 80 per cent of recommendations as we approach Xmas 2007. The reception of the FM radio is also identified as being very good as are the excellent choice of play modes. Equalisation offers nine acoustic settings and there is also a wide range of music download services. The Rarely Heard feature is also a lot of fun - playing a selection of tunes that you haven't listened to very often - perhaps offering some nice surprises? Basically the Zen Sleek is a cheaper alternative to iPod's advanced range but one which is stunningly stylish, slim, with massive file storage and some great features. Why not read some individual reviews and get a fuller flavour of what users have been saying?
The Review Centre team like the look of these latest Apple flash drive players and it looks like we are not the only ones. Consumers cannot get enough of them. The Apple iPod Touch was launched only in late October 2007 and is already a bestseller. Music, photos, videos and websites can be enjoyed in 8gb and 16gb models at prices previously unheard of and with a product that looks and works like a dream. The multi touch interface is bringing the highest levels of technology and ease of use to the MP3 market place in a very affordable package! This is the revolutionary Apple iPhone technology and styling but in an iPod format! The beautiful 3.5 inches crisp display is a total masterpiece! It's also the first ever Wi Fi iPod with easy to use Safari web browser and it also includes instant iTunes access. What's more the screen takes up most of the front so the iTouch is pretty small too and very thin - only 2 mm wider than the Nano. The iPod touch comes with earphones, dock adapter, polishing cloth, USB 2.0 cable, stand and starter guide. 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch. Holds up to 1,750 or 3,500 songs in 128 Kbps AAC format; up to 10,000 or 20,000 iPod-viewable photos; up to 10 hours or 20 hours of video, capable of 30 frames per second. With this player one thing is made certain - that you should never write Apple off. Why not be among the first to review the Apple iPod Touch at Review Centre? Are there any faults with it or is it as fantastic as it looks?
