Fucking iPod

[Renesis]

Ok so long story short, my iPod mini's battery is going out, it's going dead in the cold making it useless most of the time in the winter and it started to pop up some weird bugs for instance this morning it went slow as shit and froze up, the reset button combination only helped to turn it off.


So I'm sick of it and I'd like to consider my options to change it.


Please keep in mind my criterias

-Must be reasonably small (not a lot bigger than a mini!)
-A capacity of around 10GB would be great, anything over that is worthless unless it can play videos
-A color screen would be nice, a big one is a plus, especially if it can display photos
-Price isn't really an issue if it's reasonnable
-I'd REALLY like if there was a FM Transmitter accessory (not too expensive and of good quality) because it's the only way to use it in the car, and I use it for that A LOT.
-Something RELIABLE would be great, if you suggest the new iPod video okay, but please tell me more about what's been changed cause now.. I don't feel like buying Apple products again!



Alright, so I'm waiting for your suggestions, feel free to comment on what you have and what you think of it too.

Thanks

[matt_shaw]

http://creative.com/products/mp3/zenmicro/
I love my Zen Micro.

http://creative.com/products/mp3/zenmicrophoto/
Check out the Zen Micro Photo though. I think it's more of what you're looking for. Creative has awesome customer support and I walk 35 minutes everyday in below zero temps and have not had any problems. Very good prices too

[Renesis]

Yeah it was on my list, care to be more specific of what you like/dislike about it?

a real owner's opinion would be great.

Thanks

[matt_shaw]

Three things that made me mad.

1. The touch pad thing for scrolling up and down is a bitch to get used to. But after a few days you'll love its speed.

2. The headphones are really uncomfortable. I got some nice shures now

3. Battery life is meh. But it shouldn't be a problem if you remember to charge it every few days.

[Renesis]

Battery life is meh compared to an iPod??? I can't imagine much worse..


have you tried it in cold climates, what is it like? does it just dies?

I already have some nice Sennheiser earphones so it's alright

[matt_shaw]

Originally Posted by Renesis

have you tried it in cold climates, what is it like? does it just dies?

Originally Posted by matt_shaw

I walk 35 minutes everyday in below zero temps and have not had any problems. Very good prices too

Originally Posted by Renesis

Battery life is meh compared to an iPod??? I can't imagine much worse..

I really wasn't comparing it to anything. So I guess it's pretty good.

[Renesis]

alright cause on paper it's almost 2x better than my mini and it's on par with the new iPods

I shall consider it/them.

I'm a tad confused, they have so many models

[hokiethang]

I have a creative zen, and HATE it... The screen is too small, the drive isn't big enough, its slow, and doesn't support protected WMAs like it was said to support on creative's website... After calling and complaining, I was told that whatever model I had wasn't compatible, and they couldn't do anything for me. The audio quality is poor, and you have to have the audio up more than half way to even be able to hear the audio from it. The battery life is decent, it lasts about 2 days on a charge, but you can't charge it and listen to music at the same time. This incident has turned me away from EVER purchasing a creative product in the future.

Honestly, another iPod is well worth buying because there is nothing better on the market. I made a venture into the non-iPod world, and I will be buying a new one as soon as the next generation comes out. If you want to venture into the portable media center market, I hear the samsung PMCs are decent, but I have no desire to watch video on a 3 1/2 inch screen, since I have a laptop to watch video on away from home.

[matt_shaw]

Here is a breakdown of their models.


Zen Vision - PVP, crappy battery battery life.
ZEN VISION:M - Ipod Video killer
Zen Micro - I love it
ZEN MicroPhoto - Same as above but with a colour screen and pictures
Zen Neeon 5GB/6GB - Hard to use
Zen Neeon 512MB/1GB/2GB - Same as above and has crappy flash memory
Zen Sleek Photo - Ipod Photo wannabe
ZEN Sleek - Ipod wannabe
Zen - Just dont even pay attention to it.

[Renesis]

which Zen did you have?

Most of your issues wouldn't me much of a problem to me..


have you got any insight about the next iPod generation? coming soon?

[andyhui01]

What about the recent Sony iPod equivalent?... can't remember the model number though... or the iPod nano?

[hokiethang]

Originally Posted by Renesis

which Zen did you have?

Most of your issues wouldn't me much of a problem to me..


have you got any insight about the next iPod generation? coming soon?

I've got the Zen Neeon, but it was the experience with creative that turned me off of them. The UI is TERRIBLE on the neeon, and with the way creative treated me when I called, they solidified my position in the iPod camp, because I have NEVER had a problem with Apple support.

As for the next generation of iPod, it's possible there will be some announcement on the 28th, if not, the iPod life cycle turns over in 4 - 6 months usually (and the last refresh was early November). I just don't want to buy one, and have Apple announce a new one in the next week.

There's rumor that they will announce a touchscreen interface. There's also rumor of storage increases. Granted they are all rumor, but we'll see, hopefully on the 28th.

[matt_shaw]

Is the UI the same for all of the players? If it is I have no idea why you are complaining, I love it.

[Renesis]

okay, I really think I'll wait for the next iPod and buy it..

BUT I HOPE THE NEW BATTERIES DON'T DIE AS QUICK!

[hokiethang]

Originally Posted by Renesis

okay, I really think I'll wait for the next iPod and buy it..

BUT I HOPE THE NEW BATTERIES DON'T DIE AS QUICK!

I can't guarantee battery life, but if you get the AppleCare warranty, they will replace it as long as it is under 2 years (whereas if you use it a lot in cold conditions will warrant you at least 1 if not 2 replacements for the price of the warranty).

And the Zen Neeon's user interface is terrible, there is no easy way to change albums, the access to the menu is buggy. The screen on the Zen Neeon is way too small. The iPod's user interface follows in Apple tradition of actually being easy to use.

[Renesis]

Originally Posted by andyhui01

What about the recent Sony iPod equivalent?... can't remember the model number though... or the iPod nano?

weird screen, non color, doubt there are FM transmitters for it..

the applecare thing is hella expensive though but I think I'll consider it this time on.

[Ethan]

Wait for the next gen on the Dell DJ.. I believe is moke like it to be like an Ipod

[Renesis]

Dell? I THINK NOT!!!!

[Roman]

Another satisfied iPod customer...


I've been listening to music for five year on the job ( 30+ hours a week, industrial environment) on my Sony MiniDisc player with absolutely no problem at all. I walk to work in the morning and it never flinched, even two years ago when we had -25°C max's for something like a month. Battery life ? yeah it uses a single AA battery but a regular Energizer lasts about 45 HOURS !! Buy the 24 pack at Wally World for $16 and you're set for half the year.

It don't have a color screen, don't display pics, had to switch earphones twice over the years (but not for sound quality), can't even read the writings on it anymore form wear but it still plays great just like when I bought it.

iPod ...

[matt_shaw]

Originally Posted by Ethan

Wait for the next gen on the Dell DJ.. I believe is moke like it to be like an Ipod

no such thing. dell said that they will stop making mp3 players a couple months ago