Ipod vs MP3 player

[Metiao]

Today I went looking for an Ipod. The store I went to had a shitty selection, and was told that I should check elsewhere.

I was also looking at MP3s. My question is what are the pros and cons of both?

[Gesslar]

Pros of MP3 player: Can use any PC, any OS to write music of almost every format to it and most support DRM while not requiring it.

Pros of iPod: someone help me out?

[Blog]

You will fit in with 48294 other people with one on the BART?

IPOD is all marketing, go with something that just plays mp3s.

[Aldar]

an ipod is basically an mp3 player,
you cant compare an ipod with 'mp3player'
Some will be better, alot will be worse.
If Id have to rate an ipod its about 85/100.
Support is decent enough on windows and osx systems. (linux is bollocks, but well, linux always is) and the ipod has a decent price-quality.

If you decide which mp3 players to buy, we can compare em to the ipod

iPod mini is virtually indestructable! Mine's been dropped down the stairs, in the sea, in the sink, out a window and still keeps on playing.

[Zyth]

iPod is way cooler than the rest though.

[Gesslar]

My RIO is very cool. And cool is not a "benefit".

[Leoryn]

Originally posted by karahd
My RIO is very cool. And cool is not a "benefit".

Absolutely wrong! Cool is indeed a benefit, and a hefty one at that. Many people go to amazing lengths to ensure being considered cool, to fit in, to feel as if they are part of a crowd.

Some people even go to such great lengths that they overlook the features of other things they might buy in order to buy the "cool" factored item, regardless of quality! It's true!

I would look at Creative MP3 players, especially the Zen Vision:M and the Zen V series. You are looking at better battery life, more compatibility, software and aesthetics are personally tailored, so I can't say much on them. I will say, ignore some of the default color schemes of Creative and opt for the alternate blacks/whites. That green vision:m is puke-rific.

Creative also has a long history in dealing with audio products, especially MP3 players and doing them well.

Creative MP3

IPod's really aren't that bad, but they do suffer a little on compatibility fronts which is something Apple has always done on purpose. Just look at all the ones for option.