Help me make a purchase

So here's the deal, my brother and sister have both gotten iPod's recently. In the spirit of fairness, it was decided for me that I should have one as well. Problem is, I don't really want an iPod, mostly because I really don't want to have to switch to iTunes and that stupid m4a format.

So I have come to the technological savvy members here and ask if they know the better digital music players that are equivalent in price range and capability to a 30gb video iPod (though the video part isn't all that important). Preferrably ones that use WMP to sync the music to the device, so I don't have to download any new software.

Help me ZU-Kenobi, you're my only hope!

Originally Posted by Galedeep

So here's the deal, my brother and sister have both gotten iPod's recently. In the spirit of fairness, it was decided for me that I should have one as well. Problem is, I don't really want an iPod, mostly because I really don't want to have to switch to iTunes and that stupid m4a format.

So I have come to the technological savvy members here and ask if they know the better digital music players that are equivalent in price range and capability to a 30gb video iPod (though the video part isn't all that important). Preferrably ones that use WMP to sync the music to the device, so I don't have to download any new software.

Help me ZU-Kenobi, you're my only hope!

Creative Zen

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...r/Product.html

Plug and Go basically no crappy iTunes to slow you down, im sure if you look around at the Zen range ul find one that suits you there are lots to choose from now.

Yeah, that ones pretty much the best one. I wouldn't mind trading my iPod video for one of those. They work well from my experience with them.

Originally Posted by Galedeep

I really don't want to have to switch to iTunes and that stupid m4a format.

Yeah, except you don't have to use .m4a files. The iPod plays your standard MP3s as well. And if you look around, you can find other programs to use besides iTunes. Just to clear that up.

Aust is the ipod wizard{Not the program} anyways itunes isn't that bad. It's pretty simple actually

As has been said, you don't have to switch to iTunes or any new file formats.

If you still want another players, I've heard good things about anything made by Creative.

I've also heard good things about the iRiver.

I'd say go with a Cowon iAudio X5, any large iRiver product, or a Creative Zen.

Can't really go wrong there.

Originally Posted by Aust68

Yeah, except you don't have to use .m4a files. The iPod plays your standard MP3s as well. And if you look around, you can find other programs to use besides iTunes. Just to clear that up.

I know that it plays mp3 format as well, but I've always heard that you need to use iTunes to synchronize the songs onto it. Unless I have been completely misled, it is impossible to sync up to an iPod from WMP, which is what I basically would want to do. It's not so much me wanting to avoid using iTunes, but I really would rather just stick with what I have now than switch over to anything new.

Originally Posted by GDwarf

I've also heard good things about the iRiver.

My sister had an iRiver before her iPod, and it stopped working after less than a year. Of course, it could be because my sister is fairly incompetent when it comes to most technology, but she's the only person I know who has ever actually had one, so I'm uneasy when it comes to them.

Right now it seems like Creative would be my best bet, but any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ipod.

I had a Creative Zen Extra 20 GB for about 2 years and it became a hassle to do things with. I had a lot of crap go wrong with it. When i switched to an ipod everything was great. Everything just seemed to work with it.

Go for the good stuff.

Originally Posted by Necco

Go for the good stuff.

You mean the Zune?

I'm currently rocking an iRiver H10 20GB. Love it. Simple to use, with an excellent interface. Easy to stick music on, as I can choose whether or not to sync with WMP or simply drag and drop.

My friend got an iPod a year and a half ago, and it broke three times in that many months.

Then he got a creative zen, and he's been rockin' out with it ever since. :3

I'm looking pretty hard at the Creative Zen Vision:M and iRiver H10 at this point. I'm leaning a little towards the Creative because it's got ten more gigs, and seems to be getting slightly better reviews. Combine that with the fact that I can't seem to find any iRiver price info, or any info for that matter, in standard retailers (BestBuy, FutureShop, etc), and it looks like Creative might win out, despite being a bit more pricey.

Still haven't committed to anything yet, though.

creative zens and sansas are really the greatest things out.

The H10 is now discontinued anyway. However, if you do stumble upon one, be it the larger 20GB flavour, should be able to buy it for cheap.

If not, Creative Zen it up.