AAC-compatible iPod alternatives
Donald Bell
Senior editor October 4, 2010 (updated on: August 24, 2011)
Apple's iTunes Store is the largest music retailer in the nation, but it's not the largest retailer of MP3 downloads. The reason is because Apple decided long ago to sell music downloads in an AAC format (Advanced Audio Coding), instead of the more popular MP3.
Now, Apple's preference for AAC over MP3 could boil down to the format'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 still one of the few MP3 players on the market that supports AAC music playback.
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 number of AAC-compatible MP3 players eager to be your post-iPod rebound.
| Product name | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 to $399.95 | $42.92 to $61.58 | $74.58 to $101.11 | $55.00 | $123.49 to $189.00 |
| CNET editors' rating | |||||
| Average user rating |  | ||||
| Release date | September 15, 2009 | August 24, 2011 | September 01, 2010 | ||
| The Bottom Line | The Zune HD delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy. At a time when many people have shifted their focus to games and applications, providing a killer media experience may not be enough for potential Zune buyers. | SanDisk's tongue-twister of an MP3 player is a stupefying value and its practical clip-on design is perfect for the gym. | You can find smaller or cheaper MP3 players, but you won't find a better value than the Sansa Fuze+ in terms of dollars per features. | If you're looking for a sweat-resistant, all-in-one solution for rocking out at the gym, the Sony W-Series Walkman will provide just that. | 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. |
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| Features | |||||
| Software type | Drivers & Utilities | Napster Rhapsody Media Player EMusic Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Drivers & Utilities | Creative ZENcast Organizer Creative Media Explorer Drivers & Utilities |
| Mfr estimated battery life | 33 hour(s) | 15 hour(s) | 24 hour(s) | 11 hour(s) | Info unavailable |
| PC interface(s) supported | Wi-Fi Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | USB | USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| Flash memory form factor | Integrated | Info unavailable | Integrated | Integrated | Integrated |
| Flash memory installed | 32 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 1.68 GB | 16 GB |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | | | |
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