Portable MP3 Players

By Philip P Daniel

MP3 players...if there is any current device that mimics something that would have been written about in Sci-Fi novels (or maybe even foreshadowed on an episode of Star Trek) it is the MP3 player. With the ability to store not only all of your favorite albums, but also audio books (including the entire Klingon language dictionary) MP3 players are truly modern marvels. Using the advanced shrinking algorithm called MP3 encoding that reduces the size of audio files dramatically, MP3 players can store a plethora of files in small, easy to transport and operate machines. It seems like everyone you see, be it on the subway, or at the park, are using MP3 players to their full advantage. When buying a new MP3 player, keep in mind that there are different types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Most MP3 players have a built in hard drive that stores all of your audio files in the machine. These hard drives usually range in size anywhere from 1 to 40 gigabytes, and with more memory comes the ability to store more music or files. Although you think that you may never use 20, 30, or 40 gigs of memory, it is surprising how quickly your catalog of songs will fill up your player. The inherent advantage of the hard drive is the ability to keep a large catalog of songs with you at all times, but with this also comes the fact that storage is limited and cannot be expanded, meaning that maintenance and deletion will be necessary at some point. The hard drive can also be somewhat fragile, and difficult to repair if broken or dropped. When purchasing, make sure to look at warranties to make sure that if something goes wrong, you will not be stuck shelling out money for an all new player.

Flash and external MP3 players allow for the same portability of music, but also the added security and safety that are lacking in the hard drive models. These MP3 players tend to have a small amount of "flash" memory that although not very large, can usually keep up to an album of music, as well as expandable slots for external memory cards that can store much more music. These devices tend to be smaller, lighter and more adept for exercising and highly active lifestyles. Unlike the hard drive models, they can be dropped or jostled without much concern for their safety, allowing for a piece of mind that the hard drive models do not. These features coupled with the fact that these models tend to be significantly less expensive, make considering a flash or external MP3 player for your purchase a definite must.

Other things to consider when purchasing an MP3 player are more obvious. Features such as size, weight, interface, compatibility, etc should all be explored before making a final purchase. More then anything, it is important for you to feel comfortable with your player, ensuring that you won’t have any buyer’s regret.

Buying an MP3 player is a great decision, something that Captain Kirk himself would have defiantly made. Just keep in mind that you should explore all of your options before making a final purchase, and that as the old saying goes...you get what you pay for. No matter which model you decide to get, know that you can count on Newbie.net for the best prices and reviews on the web.

MP3 Player Reviews