The Economist- 12 issues for $12! 
Donald Bell, Senior Editor April 6, 2009
It can't be easy to be an MP3 player manufacturer these days--especially when your competition has sold over 100 million iPods. To many people, the terms iPod and MP3 player are practically interchangeable. There are many good reasons that the iPod brand is the king of the hill when it comes to MP3 players, but the iPod is not a perfect product. If you're the kind of person who bucks the trends (or maybe you have a grudge against Steve Jobs), then I present to you our list of high-capacity hard-drive MP3 players that offer a competitive alternative to the iPod Classic. While none of these players have much chance of dethroning the iPod (many have their own set of flaws), each offers something unique that the iPod Classic doesn't. Whether you're looking for better sound quality, a bigger or more colorful screen, subscription music service compatibility, or just a different look, this list will give you an idea of what the competition has to offer.
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| Price | $369.00 | $289.99 | Pricing not available | Pricing not available | Pricing not available | |
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| Review date | August 30, 2007 | November 11, 2007 | November 29, 2007 | September 13, 2006 | January 25, 2008 | |
| The Bottom Line | The Archos 605 WiFi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy. | The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative. | The Haier America Ibiza Rhapsody is a cutting-edge media player that puts its wireless capabilities to good use while still retaining an easy-to-use design and interface. If you're willing to shell out the dough for a massive feature list, give it consideration. | The bulky but easy-to-use Creative Zen Vision W and its nice screen will dazzle video lovers who don't require video recording. | The Cowon A3 portable video player is a fantastic value when judged on the merits of its file support and integrated video-recording capabilities. If you've got nimble fingers and an eclectic assortment of audio and video formats, the Cowon A3 should be at the top of your list. | |
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