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Not everyone wants to have an Apple iPod and we understand that. There are some features that the iPod-line doesn't have, like an FM receiver. Other common faults with the iPod is its iTunes software, which has been said to be clunky and not user friendly by some. We've come up with some of the best iPod alternatives out there right now, some cheaper and some more expensive then the Apple iPod. Many of them come with their own unique features and advantages, be sure to check them all out.
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Microsoft Zune (120GB - Black)
The Zune from Microsoft is perhaps the best alternative to the Apple iPod. It offers 120GB of storage space and lets you store and play both music and videos. The display is a beautiful 3.2-inch screen that is well-suited for watching videos (supports MPEG, WMA, WMV). The Zune does offer that much requested FM receiver and also has a rated battery life of 30 hours, which is just as much as the iPod. There's also Wi-Fi onboard, which lets you sync your content with your computer wirelessly and share your music collection with other nearby Zunes via Wi-Fi as well.
Unlike the iPod, which sells music on the iTunes Music Store at a song-by-song basis (usually $.99/song), the Zune store lets you download all the music you want for a monthly fee of $14.99, which is an excellent deal if you purchase a lot of music. |
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Archos 5 (60GB)
The Archos 5 digital media player is a multimedia powerhouse..literally. It is almost like a mini computer that fits right into your hand. The five-inch touchscreen display combined with an ARM processor and SIM card slot for GSM connectivity lets you bring the world to your fingertips. Wi-Fi is also built in to allow you to surf the Internet, download files, and check e-mail. There is also the ability to playback HD video and connect the Archos 5 to a TV. If connected to a television via an optional adapter, it can record content right to the device to let you view it later on the Archos. |
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Sony Walkman NW-ZS615F (2GB)
This little MP3 player from Sony has a 1.8-inch QVGA LCD screen and lets you view photos, watch video, and listen to your favorite music. There's also a built-in FM receiver and in total, the device weighs only 2 ounces and has a small price tag to go with it. Despite its small size, it has 2GB of storage, which allows for the storage of around 1,000 songs. The Sony Walkman supports MP3, WMA, and AAC music files and MPEG-4 video. The battery is rated at 33 hours, which will keep you listening to your favorite music for the long-haul. |
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Cowon Systems iAudio 7 (8GB)
Another small-bodied MP3 player is the iAudio 7 from Cowon Systems. The sleek design of the iAudio 7 features a glossy black finish with silver and red accents. There is also a 1.3-inch 260,000 TFT LCD display with touch buttons to the right of the display to control the device with only one finger. Various audio formats are supported, including MP3, WAV, WMA, ASF, and Ogg Vorbis. An FM tuner is also built into the iAudio 7 and the 8GB of storage space lets you store approximately 2,000 songs with a rated battery life of an amazing 60 hours. |
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