iPod’s are NOT the only option for MP3 Players

I talk with many people who would like to have a portable music player (MP3 player), but don't want to lay out the cash for an iPod. iPod's are great MP3 players, but they aren't the first MP3 players, they aren't the only MP3 players, they definitely aren't the least expensive MP3 players, and they aren't necessarily the best MP3 player for everyone. When it comes to recommending MP3 players, the answer varies because the MP3 landscape changes so much. However, I have held firm in my opinion over the years that flash players (solid state memory) make a better player and value for most casual music listeners. Hard drive players like the larger capacity iPods and Creative Zen Vision cater to the hard core music listener with a massive music library.

Flash players are more durable, portable, and economical than their hard drive based brethren. If I was buying a MP3 player for a teen (or tween) or for an adult who wanted ease of use and portability, I would look at one of the following players: