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The portability and personal choice provided by mp3 players have relegated portable CD players nearly obsolete. In some cases hundreds of songs can be placed on an mp3 device and then replayed whenever the owner is in the mood for a particular music style.
For the purpose of this article I want to look at mp3 options that won’t break the bank. There are obviously much more expensive options, but let’s consider life with mp3 on a budget. My benchmark for this article is $50 or less.
A Basic Background
Before we get to any recommendations let’s discover the world of mp3 together. The letters ‘mp’ are an abbreviation of Motion Pictures Expert Group that was originally designed to compress video files, but had great applications for audio. The number 3 is designated for all audio applications.
The Two Primary Differences
Mp3 players use a couple of different platforms. This can be important based on your use of the device.
1. Flashdrive. An onboard storage unit for information that is accessed when needed.
2. Hard drive. Essentially a mini computer with an onboard brain.
The reason this might be important is that an onboard hard drive will make the unit heavier and prone to disruptions when significantly bumped. The use a flash drive will make the unit lighter with fewer interruptions.
The Power Source
In virtually all cases the mp3 player will have a rechargeable battery. May units will recharge using a USB cable hooked up to your PC or laptop. When the unit eventually fails you will need to either replace the battery or the unit. With significant advances in technology the trend is often to replace the unit.
Recommendations
As of this review the SanDisk Sansa Fuze MP3 Player 2 and 4GB players could both be found online for under $50. This product allows between 1,000-2,000 songs to be placed in the unit and supports multiple digital audio formats. This is by far the least expensive mp3 player providing the most for your investment dollars especially considering it also supports photo and video applications. It can also be upgraded to an 8 GB player without buying a new device. This is also the only player in review that also has an FM player included.
The 1 GB Creative Zen Stone comes in several colors and provides an impressive entry-level player at around $23.85 on the day of this report. This item does not have a screen, but does offer skip functions. Many users like the fact that no special drivers are needed on their computer to manage file transfer. It simply relies on the traditional drag and drop method for adding or removing titles.
For those who want the cool factor of an iPod you can purchase a 4 GB Shuffle online for less than $40. This is also a rather no-frills audio appliance that does not allow you to select your music from a play list, but does come with the innovation of Apple and a name that has become synonymous with mp3 players. I should note that the Apple Store provides a 1 GB Shuffle for $49. You will need to do price comparisons to find the best deal on any mp3 device.
But Wait There’s More
If you have a cell phone you should review the instruction manual to see if it might have an onboard mp3 player. Many cell phones have such a feature although it is often overlooked in favor of a stand-alone mp3 device. This could be a low cost way to test drive mp3 to see if it’s something you are comfortable investing in.
A Jumping Off Spot
Many individuals who purchase an mp3 player may ultimately find they are not satisfied with a few dozen or even a few hundred songs. They may long for the advancement of more video and photo options. Some desire a screen they can use to locate songs that rank as personal favorites. Only the SanDisk Sansa Fuze provides this option among the recommended players.
The recommendations listed above give you a relatively inexpensive place from which to try these devices. You may find they add more personal enjoyment to the time you spend listening to music. You choose the play list so the songs you hear are always your favorite.
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