Donald Bell,
Senior Editor
February 12, 2009
I'm overjoyed to hear that the iTunes music catalog is fast on its way to becoming 100 percent DRM-free. Unfortunately, even after being liberated from the shackles of DRM, the iTunes music download format (AAC) still doesn't have the broad device support that the MP3 files sold by eMusic, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and Walmart do.
Arguably, Apple's decision to sell music in the AAC format (Advanced Audio Coding) instead of MP3 could boil down to AAC's superior fidelity and smaller file size when compared with MP3 files encoded at similar bit rates. The cynic in me, however, wonders if Apple's loyalty to AAC has more to do with the fact that Apple's iPod is one of the few MP3 players on the market that supports AAC music playback. Leave it to Apple to figure out a way to get rid of DRM (for music, at least) while maintaining a disincentive for customers to buy non-iPod MP3 players.
Don't get me wrong, the iPod is an awesome product, with one of the highest MP3 player ratings in the history of CNET. If you're tempted to stray from Apple's flock, however, there's a growing amount of AAC-compatible MP3 players eager to be your post-iPod rebound. These iPod alternatives all offer a unique advantage over the iPod, whether it's value (Creative Zen), audio quality (Samsung P2 with Blue Wave), or Wi-Fi subscription music downloads (Ibiza Rhapsody).
If you're a Mac user, don't fall into the trap of thinking the iPod is your only choice when it comes to MP3 players. There are plenty of Mac-compatible iPod alternatives out there, as well.
| Product name | |||||
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| Price | Check Prices | $149.98 to $161.98 | $244.97 to $369.95 | $97.95 to $229.99 | $139.99 to $249.99 |
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| Review date | September 17, 2008 | September 14, 2007 | September 17, 2008 | November 07, 2007 | June 17, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Thanks to excellent sound quality, integrated noise-canceling functionality, and several smart music sorting options, the Sony S-Series Walkman is a superb choice for music aficionados. | We're hard-pressed to find anything not to like about the Creative Zen. It's a great option for anyone looking for a great-sounding, pocketable MP3 player with an excellent, video-capable screen and plenty of extra features. | The Zune 120, with a unique focus on music discovery, is a fierce competitor to the iPod Classic. The Zune's substantial storage capacity combined with its Zune Pass music subscription makes it an ideal solution for restless music fans with large appetites. | The Samsung YP-P2 is an excellent-sounding MP3 player that will appeal to those looking for a cool touch-screen interface and stereo Bluetooth capability. | Haier America's flash-based Ibiza Rhapsody is pricier and larger than the competition, but its straightforward interface, excellent wireless integration, speedy processor, and plethora of features should appeal to those looking for a player that does it all. |
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| Features | |||||
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 1.7 in x 0.3 in x 3.5 in | 3.3 in x 0.4 in x 2.2 in | 2.4 in x 0.5 in x 4.3 in | 2 in x 0.4 in x 3.9 in | 2.4 in x 0.4 in x 4.1 in |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 | 480 x 272 | 320 x 240 |
| PC interface(s) supported | USB | Hi-Speed USB | Wi-Fi Hi-Speed USB | Bluetooth Hi-Speed USB | Info unavailable |
| Flash memory form factor | Integrated | Integrated | Info unavailable | Integrated | Integrated |
| Flash memory installed | 8 GB | 16 GB | Info unavailable | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Battery technology | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium polymer | Lithium polymer |
| Weight | 1.6 oz | 2.3 oz | 4.5 oz | 3 oz | 3.2 oz |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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