iPod or Creative Zen?

juror

I'm looking to get a new 8gb mp3 player, doesn't necessarily have to play video ... i'm trying to make my mind up between an ipod or creative zen ... any recommendations?

callaway92

100% for the Ipod Nano instead of a creative zen...My sister has newest 8g nano and its grand..Couple of my friends have newish Creative MP3 players and compared to ones from about 3-4 years ago they are not great..Go with the Ipod IMO

pleasant Co.

Any reason it is between Creative and Apple only? have you looked at better alternatives like iriver, cowon, samsung, sandisk? I don't really want to recommend anything to you just for the sake of it so do you have any specific requirements in mind?

juror

It's between creative and apple because they appear to be the two most popular brands of mp3 player and are more widely available than most other brands

chin_grin

I can equivocate buying a new mp3 player to buying a new phone or for the female of the species a new handbag. It all has the same functionality at the end of the day, it's just up to you how good it looks!

I mean, if you want an iPod buy an iPod. Just promise me you'll throw away those "look at me" white earphones.

whiskeyman

The radio feature might sway it towards a Creative.
Never thought I'd use the radio much, but it's refreshing sometimes!

Curvy Vixen

It depends on your requirements but I've had a Zen for over 2 years now and I love it. Bonus is that you're not limited to i-tunes too for downloaded stuff. My Zen also has a radio on it which is a godsend sometimes..

hughes2558

I would recommend the new sony a828 http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/-/291/375/-/5217023/Sony-NWZA828KB-8GB-Video-Walkman-MP3-Player/Product.html?searchtype=genre&cur=258 much better sound quality than other players and not short on features either.

helios

I bought a Zen over an ipod 'cause I wanted a radio (though you can get an add-on for the ipod), it was cheaper, and the memory is upgradeable via SD cards...

BostonB

Sony. Buttons, better battery life, and best SQ of all these. Comes with decent earbuds too.

WithCheesePlease

ditto helious

I have to have a radio, and the SD option is handy for keeping your video content on...

Dodge

I've a Creative Zen. Software is easy. Screen for videos is terrific. I commute a fair bit and its handy to be able to mix up videos (usually downloaded TV shows), mp3s and radio. Keeps it fresh for me with my low boredome threshold.

EDIT: I've the 8gb version in case anyone was wondering

juror

Think I'm going to go with the zen, the radio and the price are the main reasons. i can get an 8gb with 2.5" display from komplett for 112euro (ex. delivery).
I also listen to the radio quite a bit so its a must.

BostonB

Can't understand why more players don't have a FM radio. Or the standard USB port/cable of the Zen.

Creamy Goodness

BostonB wrote: »

Can't understand why more players don't have a FM radio. Or the standard USB port/cable of the Zen.

cheaper to manufacture, less people needed on assembly line, can outsource attachment to another company, sell said attachment on your site = make more money due to less manufacturing costs less wages etc.

BJC

Has to be the zen, it's leagues above the rest! An Ipod has those damn specialised USB attachments and it takes all night of leaving the comp on to charge as they don't come with a charger, admittidly neither does the zen but you can pick one up for less than a fiver on ebay or DX.
Sony has TERRIBLE software that will continuously piss you off and Apple unsurprisingly leave all Ipod's uncompatible with other media players, whereas all the Zens work with Windows MP if you dont feel like uploading the creative software - which is pretty good.
-Generic usb jack
-Radio
-Better sound quality than Apple but not sony (imo)
-Really light
-SD memory expansion
-Vivid little 2.5" LCD
-Much hardier than Apple (I dropped mine down the toilet last week and it still works!)
-It's not made by Apple....(a pro for me)

Buy Creative!!!:pac:

hunter164

I've had both and I say Ipod.

simonw

i've a zen and love it, radio is always useful

Creamy Goodness

BJC wrote: »

Has to be the zen, it's leagues above the rest! An Ipod has those damn specialised USB attachments and it takes all night of leaving the comp on to charge as they don't come with a charger, admittidly neither does the zen but you can pick one up for less than a fiver on ebay or DX.
Sony has TERRIBLE software that will continuously piss you off and Apple unsurprisingly leave all Ipod's uncompatible with other media players, whereas all the Zens work with Windows MP if you dont feel like uploading the creative software - which is pretty good.

a few flaws in what your saying.

1. an ipod fully charges in 3 hours for me using the specialised usb cable.
2. you can't have as a flaw against an ipod saying it doesn't have a plug charger but then say you can get one for a zen online for a fiver, same can be done for an ipod.
3. newer sony models don't use software they are completely drag and drop afaik.
4. what media players are ipod incompatible with, also defin media players you talking about the likes of media monkey and winamp? cause the ipod works on them?
5. windows MP is useless solution if you don't use windows.

BostonB

BJC wrote: »

Has to be the zen, it's leagues above the rest! An Ipod has those damn specialised USB attachments and it takes all night of leaving the comp on to charge as they don't come with a charger, admittidly neither does the zen but you can pick one up for less than a fiver on ebay or DX.
Sony has TERRIBLE software that will continuously piss you off and Apple unsurprisingly leave all Ipod's uncompatible with other media players, whereas all the Zens work with Windows MP if you dont feel like uploading the creative software - which is pretty good.
-Generic usb jack
-Radio
-Better sound quality than Apple but not sony (imo)
-Really light
-SD memory expansion
-Vivid little 2.5" LCD
-Much hardier than Apple (I dropped mine down the toilet last week and it still works!)
-It's not made by Apple....(a pro for me)

Buy Creative!!!:pac:

You've obviously never had the Sony as it doesn't come with software it works with WMP the same as the Creative.

Your still listening to something you dropped down the toliet. Euuuugh.

BostonB

Cremo wrote: »

...5. windows MP is useless solution if you don't use windows.

Its useless on Windows too.

MediaMonkey for me you can use it with iPod, Creative & Sony.

The Sony is MTP on Windows, same as the Creative. But the Sony is UMS if you are not using Windows. Can you use the creative without Windows?

I have an iPod and a Sony. What I miss from the Zen would be a USB port, FM Radio.

Zapho

This argument has been going on for a very long time!

Its basically down to personal choice. Someone you know is bound to own one or other devices, so have a go of them, see what you think.

My preference is the Zen, thats just me.

In fairness the argument of "Don't be a sheep! Don't buy iPod! By Creative Zen!!!!!" is completely ridiculous. You're not exactly supporting the little guy...

pleasant Co.

Cremo wrote: »

BJC wrote: »

Has to be the zen, it's leagues above the rest! An Ipod has those damn specialised USB attachments and it takes all night of leaving the comp on to charge as they don't come with a charger, admittidly neither does the zen but you can pick one up for less than a fiver on ebay or DX.
Sony has TERRIBLE software that will continuously piss you off and Apple unsurprisingly leave all Ipod's uncompatible with other media players, whereas all the Zens work with Windows MP if you dont feel like uploading the creative software - which is pretty good.
-Generic usb jack
-Radio
-Better sound quality than Apple but not sony (imo)
-Really light
-SD memory expansion
-Vivid little 2.5" LCD
-Much hardier than Apple (I dropped mine down the toilet last week and it still works!)
-It's not made by Apple....(a pro for me)

Buy Creative!!!:pac:

a few flaws in what your saying.

1. an ipod fully charges in 3 hours for me using the specialised usb cable.
2. you can't have as a flaw against an ipod saying it doesn't have a plug charger but then say you can get one for a zen online for a fiver, same can be done for an ipod.
3. newer sony models don't use software they are completely drag and drop afaik.
4. what media players are ipod incompatible with, also defin media players you talking about the likes of media monkey and winamp? cause the ipod works on them?
5. windows MP is useless solution if you don't use windows.

One other flaw, taking personal bias out of the equation, the ZEN is absolutely not "leagues above the rest!", not even close, it is mediocre in every aspect, excelling only in price.

WithCheesePlease

Mactard wrote: »

One other flaw, taking personal bias out of the equation, the ZEN is absolutely not "leagues above the rest!", not even close, it is mediocre in every aspect, excelling only in price.

I agree - it all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. Pros and cons with both... Just more cons with the iPod if you ask me!...

Dodge

So OP, as you can see, some people like the Zen, others like the Ipod

Zapho

Mactard wrote: »

One other flaw, taking personal bias out of the equation, the ZEN is absolutely not "leagues above the rest!", not even close, it is mediocre in every aspect, excelling only in price.

I wouldn't say its mediocre at all. Sound quality and video quality are spot on (i've used a lot of media devices). Its hard to compare this to iPod as they're both excellent. Zen do beat the iPod on price, but they're both level on everything else in my opinion, including interface. The jog wheel works well on the iPod, the buttons work well on Zens.

And they both fail miserably with earbuds.....why do they insist when on giving you the worst earphones ever built with such expensive hardward?! It doesn't do either player any justice

Zapho

BostonB wrote: »

Can you use the creative without Windows?

I don't know about Macs but you can on Linux using gNomad and possibly Amarok too.

BostonB

I think its useful to know "WHY" people like one over the other, and not just they like one device. I prefer devices with buttons over touch interfaces/iPod scroll wheel as my skin doesn't seem to register on these devices, I think its too dry. Also on the train or walking I want to use the device without looking at it, and touch interfaces don't work well for that.

WithCheesePlease

Single biggest deciding factor for me? Has to have a radio...

After that it's also nice if it can double as a portable hard drive as well as being able to plug and play through bog standard USB to "acquire" new music while in a friends place.

So iPods, as nice and all as they are to look at and play with, are complete non starters for me.

BostonB

To clarify...

Not just radio. You mean you need a device with a radio INTERNAL and not external like the iPod remote, or Blueye. Because you can add radio to an iPod.

You want a standard USB port so you can use any USB cable, and not have to carry a propietary cable with you to use on someone else machine. AFAIK all MP3 players act as a portable drive.

Gavin "shels"

Have a Creative Zen myself, top quality much prefer them to iPods. Although my Dad just bought the 8GB Sony Walkman NWZ-818 in Peats for €160 or €170 and it's real good.

BJC

Cremo wrote: »

a few flaws in what your saying.

1. an ipod fully charges in 3 hours for me using the specialised usb cable.
2. you can't have as a flaw against an ipod saying it doesn't have a plug charger but then say you can get one for a zen online for a fiver, same can be done for an ipod.
3. newer sony models don't use software they are completely drag and drop afaik.
4. what media players are ipod incompatible with, also defin media players you talking about the likes of media monkey and winamp? cause the ipod works on them?
5. windows MP is useless solution if you don't use windows.

Ok ok ok, I'm prejudiced against Ipod, I admit it! :pac:
But Creative still make better Media players

phantom_lord

what's the best player to go for if i want 40gb+, and don't care about video, radio or anything other than just playing music?