Beginner’s Guide to Shopping for MP3 Players
If you’re thinking about getting an MP3 player then you need to brush up on MP3 player basics. There are many makes and models to choose from but some of them are not very good quality. Some players double as video players, or have advanced audio functions built in as a secondary feature. Finding a player that’s just limited to playing music is something of a rarity these days.
Take the Apple iPod for example, it used to be just for playing music. However newer versions incorporate advanced features not present in other units. One of the MP3 player basics is function simplicity. All these extra features are nice but some of us will never use them, and as such we don’t want to pay money for something we are never going to use.
While the iPod may be the main (perhaps only) brand name that first comes to mind when discussing MP3 players, there are several others out there. There’s even cheaper “knock-offs” from smaller companies that are out there, but these don’t offer all the benefits. Due to legalities in the industry, these companies stick with just giving their consumers the ability to play music. The bigger companies look at the big picture.
One thing to consider is the battery life – and whether it uses regular batteries at all. If you take advantage of newer innovation they will use lithium rechargeable batteries. Some models use AA or AAA batteries, but nowadays a unit that is rechargeable is becoming standard. You should be able to recharge by plugging the unit into a base, or just using a USB cord to plug it into your computer.
Durability is usually the most overlooked area when it comes to music players. Everyone jumps on the hyped up bandwagon of a new product, but most of us forget about the longevity of the product. This can lead to products that are easily damaged, break down, or simply don’t live up to the durability factors.
This happens very rarely with major name brands and outlets, but cheaper companies and stores cut corners where they can. This is why it’s best to do your research before committing to buy any particular player. The Apple iPod for example is subjected to various manufacturer tests before being allowed on the market. You can still break it if you try, but it won’t break from general usage.
You’ll want to take the button layout of the player into consideration. Try to avoid models from smaller companies that just have a mere two buttons – these are often bottom of the barrel products that are just asking for problems. The iPod Shuffle is a bit of an exception, as it’s a quality player with a very simple interface, and is quite cheap compared to other iPods.
So in closing before buying any kind of player remember to go over the MP3 player basics. Check for function, audio formats supported, battery life, durability, and general quality. If you don’t want to do bother because it’s time consuming you can just buy an Apple iPod. These are one of the most sought after players on the market for a reason. If money is a concern then simply buy an older generation iPod – plenty of new units are almost always available for the previous generation, and you can find savings of 10% and upwards, without sacrificing the most important features.
Tags: apple, computers, electronics, hardware, internet, Movies, mp3 players, music, shopping, technology
