Best device (not iPod) for dc to listen to their own music, audiobooks?

[Alessandra]

I know that this has been asked before, but technology changes so fast.....

 

We have an iPod Classic loaded with a lot of classical music and audiobooks, mainly education related. But the iPod is expensive enough ($200 +) that I don't want to hand it off to a dc on a semi-permanent basis.

 

So I am looking for a present for dd, so she can enjoy her own pop music. She has a cd player, but now we are downloading some things song by song, and it is a pain to keep tack of cd, KWIM. I don't want another iPod model -- either too expensive or too small....

 

Would an mp3 player fit the the bill? Songs that we have stored in iTunes on a Mac computer could be put on an mp3 player, couldn't they? I've seen Sansa recommended here, so I was looking at the Sansa Fuze or the Sansa Clip. I'd like to keep the cost around $50-60. Red, purple or pink would be a plus, so that ds wouldn't 'borrow' it. I'll be getting a mini speaker, as I'm concerned about hearing damage from earbuds.

 

But I'd be grateful for ANY recommendations!! (Or tell me about a product you hate, so I can avoid it.)

[lailasmum]

We have sansa fuzes as well as an ipod touch and my dd actually prefers the sansa fuze. It's much more reliable and the battery lasts alot longer. The sansa fuze has a sound level limiter thing on it so you can set it to not go up too loud. We use overhead headphones as none of us like ear buds.

[WishboneDawn]

We've thia discussion before and I believe we've decided that the unofficial WTM mp3 players are the Sansa Clip (for just music) and the Sansa Fuze (for video as well). I have the Fuze and it's old, scratched up and has even taken a trip through rhe washing machine and it is still going strong. Love is not to strong a word for how I feel for it.

[WishboneDawn]

Ignore my mistakes please. I'm on my phone and can't edit. :(

 

[lynn]

I have the Sansa clip zip and I like it. It's compatible with I-tunes, Rhapsody, amazon mp3 down loads. You can download audiobooks and podcasts along with music. Very easy to use

[StaceyinLA]

Well I am a fan of all things Apple, so what about a smaller version of iPod, like a Nano? It would be great because if you already have an iPod, syncing another Apple device would be so easy.

[Alessandra]

We have sansa fuzes as well as an ipod touch and my dd actually prefers the sansa fuze. It's much more reliable and the battery lasts alot longer. The sansa fuze has a sound level limiter thing on it so you can set it to not go up too loud. We use overhead headphones as none of us like ear buds.

 

Really, te Fuze is more reliable? That's not what I would have expected, since Apple has such a good rep. Can you tell me in what way it's more reliable? THX! The sound control is a plus. I would be getting headphones or using a mini speaker.

 

We've thia discussion before and I believe we've decided that the unofficial WTM mp3 players are the Sansa Clip (for just music) and the Sansa Fuze (for video as well). I have the Fuze and it's old, scratched up and has even taken a trip through rhe washing machine and it is still going strong. Love is not to strong a word for how I feel for it.

 

I must have put that info in my subconscious, because I found myself going right to the Sansa website. Thank you for confirming that this was based on an actual recollection and not just a quirk, lol.

 

Ignore my mistakes please. I'm on my phone and can't edit. :(

 

I didn't notice -- thx for answering on your phone.

 

I have the Sansa clip zip and I like it. It's compatible with I-tunes, Rhapsody, amazon mp3 down loads. You can download audiobooks and podcasts along with music. Very easy to use

 

Oh, I'd been googling and not quite understanding about compatibility. (There are some negative posts out there -- but perhaps people are transferring weird files formats?) We have Macs only for computers in our house. So, if I have normal downloads from iTunes and Amazon, plus cds I've uploaded -- and ALL are stored in iTunes -- I would be able to put that on any Sansa?

 

Well I am a fan of all things Apple, so what about a smaller version of iPod, like a Nano? It would be great because if you already have an iPod, syncing another Apple device would be so easy.

 

We are an Apple family too -- iPad, iPhone, iPod Classic, Macbook, iMac (and one lowly Kindle).

 

When I started to read about compatibility and ease of transferring files, I went over to Apple and fell in love with the new Nanos. I hadn't realized how far they had come, and I know dd would love to have photos on a device, plus Apple things are so easy to use. And dd would love the fitness app, AND it comes in pink, so her brother would be loathe to use it (I hope).

 

BUT the cost of a 16GB Nano with AppleCare (I always get this) would be about $149 + $39 = about $190, $200 plus with tax. Sansa Fuze or Clip at 8GB is in the range of $60 at Amazon; plus the red models only come in 4GB (though that might be enough). That is a giant price difference. Dc have a bad record with taking care of small electronics, like Nintendo DS -- another reason to be cautious with $$. But if the Nano is MUCH easier to use -- I could lean that way, but then I'd be helicopter parenting to make sure the device was put away, taken care of. If a less expensive item were lost, I'd be disappointed, but not distraught.

 

Sorry for rambling....

 

So, I guess my next question is -- how easy is it to use Sansas with Mac?

[lailasmum]

We find the Fuze more reliable because the battery life lasts absolutely ages on a charge and it's withstood many knocks and drops. It also has an sd card slot so can be expanded easily. We've had the same ones a few years without incident. It just shows up as a drive when you use it so it's easy to use. I know it does work with itunes but I personally don't use it like that. The reason we don't like the ipod touch is the lack of responsivity of the screen (in comparison to my android phone), relatively short battery life and the annoying habit it has of randomly turning itself off and needing a reset. I think purely for audiobook/music usages the fuze beats the ipod easily and the fuze is massively cheaper.

[Alessandra]

We find the Fuze more reliable because the battery life lasts absolutely ages on a charge and it's withstood many knocks and drops. It also has an sd card slot so can be expanded easily. We've had the same ones a few years without incident. It just shows up as a drive when you use it so it's easy to use. I know it does work with itunes but I personally don't use it like that. The reason we don't like the ipod touch is the lack of responsivity of the screen (in comparison to my android phone), relatively short battery life and the annoying habit it has of randomly turning itself off and needing a reset. I think purely for audiobook/music usages the fuze beats the ipod easily and the fuze is massively cheaper.

 

 

Thank you for the very specific information! The bolded stuff really spoke to me. And I had not realized about some of the downsides of the Nano. Withstanding knocks & drops is important for us, not to mention MASSIVELY cheaper. The other iPod features (I like Bluetooth for using speakers), nice though they are, don't justify paying three times as much, imo.

 

I checked out the owner manual on line. It looks as though music can be dragged and dropped from iTunes. Most of out files are mp#; m4a files (some of the uploaded cds are this type) can be easily converted in iTines.

 

It sounds as though photos would not be upload able, but photos are not the reason I'd be buying a player.

 

http://mp3support.sa...serguide_en.pdf

 

So, thank you WTM! I will be adhering to the WTM standard (lol) and getting a Sansa Fuze. I appreciate the help!

[lynn]

Regarding the Sansa clip, there are instructions that came with it regarding uploading music from a Mac. Itunes was actually easier than I thought. I've only had mine for a month and only downloaded from Amazon MP3 store and I tunes. Nothing has gone wrong and I use it daily to run. .

[Alessandra]

Regarding the Sansa clip, there are instructions that came with it regarding uploading music from a Mac. Itunes was actually easier than I thought. I've only had mine for a month and only downloaded from Amazon MP3 store and I tunes. Nothing has gone wrong and I use it daily to run. .

 

It looked easy, according to the user manual (I looked at the one for Fuze), but it is much better to hear from someone who has done this IRL. Thank you!

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

You can buy most MP3 players used at someplace like Game Stop, making an iPod or other device more affordable. GameStop usually offers a warranty if there is a problem with the used product as well.

[Alessandra]

You can buy most MP3 players used at someplace like Game Stop, making an iPod or other device more affordable. GameStop usually offers a warranty if there is a problem with the used product as well.

 

Oh, I will have to look into that. Game Stop is not a place we have visited much. THX!

[StaceyinLA]

I totally understand about the cost, but I will honestly say that I have never experienced any trouble with our Apple products (and we have a TON of them). I have never have one randomly shut off, and the battery life is insane when only listening to music, even on my phone. I can play music for hours and use under 10% of my battery life.

[Alessandra]

I totally understand about the cost, but I will honestly say that I have never experienced any trouble with our Apple products (and we have a TON of them). I have never have one randomly shut off, and the battery life is insane when only listening to music, even on my phone. I can play music for hours and use under 10% of my battery life.

 

 

High cost + probability of dd's device being 'borrowed by ("I don't know how it broke. It was an accident.") ds = 1 extremely upset mother

 

If the lower cost thing will do the job, I'd go with that.

 

I am glad to hear you didn't have any problems, as I am a BIG fan of Apple products. So far, all Apple stuff we have is mine; dc use it, and I get it back every night. The mp3 type player would not be my responsibility. I need to step away, lol.