Creative Zen Micro vs. Ipod mini

[::shinji::]

Oh, alright then..I got a few minutes

No way, the creatives are extremely well made. Given that creative has a history and is a company that manufactures sound products, I'd be more inclined to trust them than Apple, who make computers and mice with one button. Who needs more than 18 hours? The iPod is actually about 8-10 when you get them new. Apple is notorious for its marketing. Plus it's annoying having to recharge all the ruddy time.

Not trusting Apple because they make one-button mice is a little silly, don't you think? Apple's motto has always been simplicity, and if you're at all familiar with Apple OS's you'd know that there isn't the same need for a second mouse button the way there is in windows. It's definately a plus to have a second button with the Mac OS, but not really necessary.

Like Phil says too, aren't Creative just really known because of their old SB Live cards? I didn't think many of their other products got particularly great reviews since... but I could be wrong on that one. Anyhow, I'd question the quality control standards of a company that ships a product containing a virus.

I've had a 20GB iPod for about 8 months now and I still can get at least 12 hours of battery life. I don't know if I can reach the promised 15 because it's never actually ran out on me. I have a docking station for it so when it's not in use I just pop it in the dock and it charges all the time. It's certainly not a hassle like you seem to think.. My 512MB iPod shuffle also has exellent battery life, again I don't know how long it lasts because it's never ran out on me between chargings...but, I know that's a different story all together.

You can just use explorer with the creative zen. None of this messing around with iTunes.By repairs I meant for example, changing the battery, which is a no-go in an iPod. All batteries fail and loose their ability to hold charge over a time span, and the ones in iPods have a better ability to loose charge than Zen's. Also Creative is not a "small" company, they are one of the biggest in the world when it comes to sound products. The headphones that come with the Zen's are better than the iPod ones . . . and the creative hardware is better at decoding MP3's. Play a song on a Zen and an iPod and you'll notice the Zen has better clarity.

well, yeah but I still don't understand what the problem is with iTunes? It's simple as anything to use, and is an amazing program to organize music and make playlists.

Everyone's aware of the battery replacement situation with iPods, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Plus, Apple will replace your battery, or even your iPod if your battery should die before the expected time, due to defect, or is still under warranty. After that there is a battery replacement program that you have to pay for. iPods aren't indestructable, ofcourse batteries are going to die eventually just like every other rechargable battery out there. I've heard of iPod people with first gen iPods who's batteries are still fine today, so it's not like they go dead after a month and your iPod's useless.

Never seen the Creative headphones, but I'll take your word for it. iPod headphones aren't the best, that's for sure. You'd think they'd be of higher quality considering the cost involved. Oh well, again iPods aren't perfect..

I know a fair few people who have ditched iPod's, especially my band mate, his iPod's battery went tits up, and Apple refused to replace it. He got a Zen and likes it a lot more. And Apple are the imitator really, Creative/Rio started MP3 players before Apple did!

Ok, now that I don't beleive...about Apple refusing to replace your friends battery. There has to be more to the story than that because it's widely known if the iPod is still under warranty or defective, Apple will actually send a box to you with pre-paid postage so you can send back your iPod. They do the same for their computers too. It must have been old (you can't expect any company to replace things forever), damaged, or something...either that or the customer service rep he talked to didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

I know Apple didn't invent MP3 players, but if they're the imitator then why is the Creative Zen's GUI a blatant rip-off of the iPods?

Plus calling a Zen ugly is like FIFA fans saying PES doesn't have official names. . . cosmetic's aren't everything, I myself prefer functionality over looks.

That's kind of an unfair comparison In any case, I prefer functionality too, just happens that iPods have both IMO. None of my Apple products for that matter have ever given me reason to think otherwise. Again, not to say they won't break down someday (hopefully not)

 

[Voltaic Borusse]

Does anyone think Apple should try being diverse with their marketing ads and commercials? I think they should, definitely. It seems to me like they're only set on targeting Starbucks-drinking elitist indie fags for their iPods and accessories.

 

[gagiz]

Well im not considering in buying the original Ipod because i find it ways a TON!Maybe its just that silver ''mirror'' in the back or its me but i find it ways a lot.

 

[::shinji::]

^ yeah, it's a bit heavier than I'd like too. But I guess there's no real way to make 20BG's ultra-light. Actually, if I were you I'd wait until September 7 because I think that's when the Apple Expo is and there are rumours that new products will be released. Some people are even saying something about flash-based iPod minis!

 

[champdave]

Not trusting Apple because they make one-button mice is a little silly, don't you think? Apple's motto has always been simplicity, and if you're at all familiar with Apple OS's you'd know that there isn't the same need for a second mouse button the way there is in windows. It's definately a plus to have a second button with the Mac OS, but not really necessary.

Haha I was using it to basically say that: Creative = music products, Apple = Computer products. If Creative came out with a new non-x86 computer with their own OS I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot broom handle.

Like Phil says too, aren't Creative just really known because of their old SB Live cards? I didn't think many of their other products got particularly great reviews since... but I could be wrong on that one. Anyhow, I'd question the quality control standards of a company that ships a product containing a virus.

Creative are principally known for the Soundblaster line, and now the Audigy line, in addition to speakers. I dont want to sound like a brand-whore here, but everyone makes mistakes once in their life - everyone remembers the Intel incidents with the Pentiums where their floating point was f'ked up, (and idiots like me won't ever let them forget it either) Microsoft have released some of the most buggy software known to mankind and have got away with it - I think its safe to say now that Creative are taking in / have taken in the faulty stock you won't see it again.

I've had a 20GB iPod for about 8 months now and I still can get at least 12 hours of battery life. I don't know if I can reach the promised 15 because it's never actually ran out on me. I have a docking station for it so when it's not in use I just pop it in the dock and it charges all the time. It's certainly not a hassle like you seem to think.. My 512MB iPod shuffle also has exellent battery life, again I don't know how long it lasts because it's never ran out on me between chargings...but, I know that's a different story all together.

It must be a consistancy thing. I know my band mate definately complained about his battery; it used to last about 4-5 hours in the end before bailing out completely, and Apple refused to replace it. (which p!ssed him off, as it was only about 6 months old)

Also you should really run it down before recharging in order to maintain the charge capacity of the battery, but hey.

well, yeah but I still don't understand what the problem is with iTunes? It's simple as anything to use, and is an amazing program to organize music and make playlists.

I guess for me its almost an anti-apple thing, but I really dislike iTunes. My hate of it started when Apple charged us UK'ers about twice as much as everywhere else to download songs. I don't really use any programs for organising music as I tend to organise mine myself in Explorer, as I find that programs like itunes/WMP don't put the music in Genre's properly. (which is how I have my music sorted)

Everyone's aware of the battery replacement situation with iPods, but it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Plus, Apple will replace your battery, or even your iPod if your battery should die before the expected time, due to defect, or is still under warranty. After that there is a battery replacement program that you have to pay for. iPods aren't indestructable, ofcourse batteries are going to die eventually just like every other rechargable battery out there. I've heard of iPod people with first gen iPods who's batteries are still fine today, so it's not like they go dead after a month and your iPod's useless.

Like I said before, consistancy is key here - my friend didn't have his replaced after 6 months. If I made it out that every iPod goes out after a month then I'm wrong - it's just the fact that the tolerance for the batteries going into iPods seems to be larger than others, so you get more cases. Although this could also come around due to the fact that more people buy iPod's than others, so they get more cases.

Never seen the Creative headphones, but I'll take your word for it. iPod headphones aren't the best, that's for sure. You'd think they'd be of higher quality considering the cost involved. Oh well, again iPods aren't perfect..

Is that a hint of sarcasm?
I think most people would get new headphones/earphones, they are pretty cheap now and the stock stuff will always be a bit shoddy

Ok, now that I don't beleive...about Apple refusing to replace your friends battery. There has to be more to the story than that because it's widely known if the iPod is still under warranty or defective, Apple will actually send a box to you with pre-paid postage so you can send back your iPod. They do the same for their computers too. It must have been old (you can't expect any company to replace things forever), damaged, or something...either that or the customer service rep he talked to didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

Probably the last thing - 6 months and no replacement here. Could be Apple France being French/beureaucratic about it and being gay.

I know Apple didn't invent MP3 players, but if they're the imitator then why is the Creative Zen's GUI a blatant rip-off of the iPods?

Because Apple make awesome GUI's, and Creative makes awesome sound products

That's kind of an unfair comparison In any case, I prefer functionality too, just happens that iPods have both IMO. None of my Apple products for that matter have ever given me reason to think otherwise. Again, not to say they won't break down someday

It wasn't a comparison as such but rather a parallel or ______. (forgotten the word, I'll edit it in once i remember it (extrapolation?)) I've never owned anything Apple, but my uncle is an apple-a-holic and constantly brags about his laptop/pc/sex life. I don't see what all the fuss is myself - all I say is don't get me started about the mac mini

 

[Fernandez]

Creative - Pride of Singapore

Seriously, go for the Zen Micro. I don't own your money, but I'd get the Zen Micro if I were you. FM Tuner, 5GB of memory and 10 colours to choose from. I'm not disappointed if you go for the iPod though.

 

[::shinji::]

Haha I was using it to basically say that: Creative = music products, Apple = Computer products.

well considering that iPods have an actual working hard drive, doesn't that technically make them a computer product? Making HD based MP3 players more of an area Apple is specialized in, rather than a company that makes sound cards and speakers?

That probably explains why Creative headphones are better. I wasn't being sarcastic, even the most hardcore Apple/iPod freaks will admit that iPod headphones are generally poor. Read the post I made earlier to Gagiz where I told him that even low-end sony earbuds are better than the stock iPod buds.

anyhow..

 

[champdave]

well considering that iPods have an actual working hard drive, doesn't that technically make them a computer product? Making HD based MP3 players more of an area Apple is specialized in, rather than a company that makes sound cards and speakers?

That probably explains why Creative headphones are better. I wasn't being sarcastic, even the most hardcore Apple/iPod freaks will admit that iPod headphones are generally poor. Read the post I made earlier to Gagiz where I told him that even low-end sony earbuds are better than the stock iPod buds.

anyhow..

But apple don't make their own hard drives . . . .

I was more referring to the decoding hardware, but I'll admit you got me there

 

[rpvankasteren]

Meh, I'd go with an iAudio player myself.

 

[gagiz]

iAudio?The Zen recharges by switching the batteries with the one that was previously charging rite?But the thing i like about the ipods is that you can buy a kit with the common plugs from all over the world so you can charge your ipod anywhere even tho you arnt at home.One of my frends bot it when our class went to spain.But he told me it was quite overpriced but i dont remember the exact price he told me tho since this was like 6 months ago.The japanese plug is crazy!!!!

 

[fender]

Got an iPod mini awhile back, i have no complaints about it its been great having it so far.

 

[champdave]

iAudio?The Zen recharges by switching the batteries with the one that was previously charging rite?But the thing i like about the ipods is that you can buy a kit with the common plugs from all over the world so you can charge your ipod anywhere even tho you arnt at home.One of my frends bot it when our class went to spain.But he told me it was quite overpriced but i dont remember the exact price he told me tho since this was like 6 months ago.The japanese plug is crazy!!!!

Sorry, but :boohoo:

They're called power adapters, I have several here for my english appliances so I can use them in a French socket. Just buy one of those, probably a hell of a lot cheaper too.

 

[faceNside]

iPod mini rules! Ive got a silver one

 

[::shinji::]

iPod Nano!

 

[faceNside]

So it replaces the mini? Its really cool. Too bad there isnt a 6 GB version

 

[::shinji::]

Damn, the black one looks really sexy! oh, don't worry man, I'm sure we'll see a 6GB version by Christmas..

 

[IceBlu]

Hitachi have come up with a 1 inch 60 GB drive. It will take a year or so though for it to start appearing in mp3 players etc.

Their other drive nicknamed Mikey will be out sooner... that holds about 10 gigs.

 

[Larry]

iPod earphones aren't very good at all, that's true. I don't think they're as horrible as a lot of people would make you beleive though. You could probably pick up a pair of $20 Sony earbuds that sound better than the iPod ones....and if it's the white earphones you really want, other companies make them also. I know Sony makes white 'Fontopia' earbuds, and I think JVC makes some too.

I have those exact earphones. They are really good. Nice sound :fool:

 

[Siawash]

Question.......


I have an iPod Mini bought from Best Buy and got 3 yr warranty, visualize this scenario, if my mini breaks, I can go exchange it, but do I get a Nano or mini?

 

[Joe Star]

A mini of course.....they'll still keep on pumping out a few for accidents like that :P