Which MP3 Player to buy?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Which MP3 Player to buy?

ravsingh

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#60813 3-May-2010 20:38

Hey guys, im looking to buy a basic 2-4GB MP3 Player for Mother's Day as my
dear old mum does a lot of walking etc and could do with an mp3 player.
She's not very technologically adept so therefore it needs to be pretty basic, so no ipods etc.

I've had a look around and a couple stand out.

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/audio-mp3/portable-audio-mp3/ipod-mp3-players/samsung-ypu4jqb-2gb-mp3-player-blue/prod42788.html

http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/audiotv/ipodsmp3-players/sony-nwzb142fb-2gb-mp3-player-with-fm-black/prod12416.html

Any thoughts or recommendations?
And do MP3 players like these come with headphones or do you have to buy them seperately?

Cheers

muppet

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#326183 3-May-2010 20:47

I really don't think you can get anything similar than an iPod, can you?
Everything else has sub-menus and options and blinkin lights.

A Nano would probably be the best bet.

I'm really NOT an Apple fan (in fact, quite the opposite) but for ease-of-use I still think the iPod can't be beaten. My Dad can use one alright and Google confuses him.

NickiB

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#326189 3-May-2010 20:58

I would be surprised if they don't come with headphones, although neither of the product descriptions says they do.

Looks like you'll get a few other recommendations here, but if you are limiting your options to just those two, I'd go with the Sony for the sole reason that Samsung buttons will drive your mum crazy! Tactile buttons will likely be a lot easier for her to use than the touch/sensor ones on the Samsung. I have a Samsung and they can be frustrating when you keep skipping songs instead of adjusting the volume, or aren't quite hitting the volume button when you really need to turn it down in a hurry. So long as she can turn it on, play songs and turn the volume up and down, most of the other features will be neither here nor there, so you're really looking solely at usability IMO.

nOOb alert

ravsingh

51 posts

Master Geek

#326196 3-May-2010 21:26

Thanks for the input so far guys.
NickiB, open to all options but yeah i could probably see that happening to her as well lol.

Linuxluver

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#326201 3-May-2010 21:41

I've found that for technically-challenged people the simpler solution is best. To that end here is my list:

1. Replacable batteries. AAA's are fine. Lithium batteries eventually die and then you have a perfectly functional device that is dead simply because it's battery is worn out and can't be replaced.

2. Obvious PLAY / FF / RW / SKIP buttons. Preferably that can be flicked without even looking at the device.

I would avoid any Apple product simply because iTunes is WAY overkill for anyone who just wants to play a few songs. Nothing could be more annoying for a user than being on a cruise to Fiji...and you just want to add or delete a song....but the PC with your iTunes is back in Auckland. DONT DO IT. Anyone with a laptop should be able to help out. Plus all the iPods come with batteries that can't be changed, guaranteeing your player will be junk notl ong out of waranty if you use it a lot.

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muppet

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#326204 3-May-2010 21:50

Oh yes, I forgot about iTunes. Forget everything I said. Ugh. (I have trained my Dad to use Winamp with iPod addon)

Disrespective

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#326211 3-May-2010 22:08

What about one of those ipod shuffles that don't have any buttons at all? That way all she has to do is plug it in and go. No fluffing around with anything. Ideal for oldies with slightly less than perfect finger control or any desire to muck around with what's playing at any point in time.

michaelmurfy

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#326226 3-May-2010 23:38

Disrespective: What about one of those ipod shuffles that don't have any buttons at all? That way all she has to do is plug it in and go. No fluffing around with anything. Ideal for oldies with slightly less than perfect finger control or any desire to muck around with what's playing at any point in time.

Bought my girlfriend one of the new iPod Shuffles, there's some flaws with their design:

The headphone jack is also the Charging / USB Sync Jack which means, you lose the cable, it's almost worth buying a new iPod just to account for the cost.

Same goes with the Headphones, you lose them and you have no way to control the thing, it plays when you insert any headphones (great) but what about control of the music or volume level?

If she doesn't like the headphones, then you will have to buy a adapter just to control it, which adds bulk and is just another thing to lose.

I don't know about others, but I have found the iPod Nano great for mothers (esp my own) - They are easy to use, nice big screen meaning she can choose her fav music..

If you are wanting something Cheaper then go for a Philips Gogear, they are cheap, have good sound quality and actually "let" you use any kind of headphones or sync software, I have also bought that Sony MP3 player before, and I must say these are great, offering excellent sound quality and let you sync up with any bit of software you want.

There's my 2c.

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michaelt

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#326228 3-May-2010 23:54

Not really contributing anything to the discussion, but I did the same thing a few years ago.

Bought my mother an MP3 Player for her birthday (Zen Neeon 6GB for $300), as she really wanted to listen to music while walking.

Been lying around unused for years now (occasionally use it as a USB flash drive to transfer DVD images), planning to sell it on trademe soon.

Tried to get her to use it a number of times over the years, but she never has.

I'd recommend having a look at the cheapest no-brand MP3 player you can find. Won't look quite as nice, but they tend to have physical buttons and simple interfaces.

ravsingh

51 posts

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#326458 4-May-2010 13:41

Yeah i totally agree with the simple interface/tactile buttons idea, it would probably suit her much more than an iPod as much as i would want to get one :).

My dad was using a Sharp GX20 when he was with vodafone, and recently he's moved over to XT and bought a touchscreen LG phone (cant remember the model), the learning curve was far too steep with all the hidden menu's etc that need a delicate touch on the screen. He ended up taking it back and getting a Sony Ericsson slider.
Im not sure if thats the same with an iPod as i've never had one but i could see that happening to dear mum too lol.

Seems like the Sony might be the one to go for. I did see some even cheaper Laser brand mp3 players but their usability looks a little cramped.

gehenna

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#326465 4-May-2010 13:52

I recently picked up a 2nd gen iPod Nano for $15 for my dad, 2GB. You'd be surprised what you can get 2nd hand. $15 beats $300 anyday :)

Linuxluver

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#326479 4-May-2010 14:34

gehenna: I recently picked up a 2nd gen iPod Nano for $15 for my dad, 2GB. You'd be surprised what you can get 2nd hand. $15 beats $300 anyday :)

$15 might be all its worth if the lithium battery has done 380 charges out of 400.....

2nd-hand Apple products may not have much battery life in them...and getting a new battery surgically installed 9some soldering required) is a mission and costs money. You're not supposed to. You're supposed to throw it away and buy a new one.

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Paulthagerous

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#326485 4-May-2010 14:39

If you will do the music transfer, then I also reckon an ipod. Other than itunes, it is the only mp3 player in the house (and we have several of various brands) that my mum can actually operate, though she understands google.

That being said, I would definately say spend the extra on the Sony. I am a firm believer in both their products (Samsung 32" with PS3 = awesome!) But as far as mp3 players are concerned we have just had better experiences with the Sonys in our arsenal than the Samsung (mum can figure out how to turn on the Sony's...)

xpd

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#326497 4-May-2010 15:07

DSE have 4GB players that are pretty small and straight forward to use for around $30.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Handsomedan

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#326527 4-May-2010 15:52

Yes - go to DSE - look at the cheapies and also at the Phillips Go Gear.

I'm an iPod fan, but to be honest the interface with iTunes could become a hassle for mum.

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ravsingh

51 posts

Master Geek

#328911 11-May-2010 13:29

Thanks for all the input guys, i went for the Sony. It did the trick, she loves it

Cheers.