Newest iPod vs. the Nomad Zen NX?

flyingember asks: "I am considering purchasing an iPod, since they are so cool looking. I then came across the new Nomad Zen NX. Size isn't an issue, my current MP3 player being a MP3-CD player. The big thing is price. In the US the 30GB Zen costs $300, the 30GB iPod costs $500. Or you can get a 10GB iPod for $300 or a 20GB Zen for $250 on the low end. Has the iPod got better design and layout of controls to make the price difference worth it?"

Comments

For questions like these

[prostoalex]

Epinions are pretty good:

Nomad Zen reviews

iPod reviews

Of course, Epinions are not too helpful when the product is brand new. I usually go through a couple of five-star reviews and several one-stars (if such exist) to see what people are generally complaining about.

function and form

[BenTheDewpendent]

The ipod isn't just an MP3 player. It also can store your contacts, and appointments, as well as functioning as a portable harddrive as well (the zen can most likely do this too.) So it does a little more in a better package with a better interface. I'd say ipod.

Hold out for the Rio Karma / Pearl

[beerboy]

20 and 40 gig versions, supports Ogg Vorbis and shipping in October (allegedly)

Details:
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/007993 .php

http://gear.ign.com/articles/382/382161p1.html?f ro mint=1&submit.x=39&submit.y=24

http://msg.mp3.com/hardware/liststory/?position= 10 &month=200301&topic_id=8707

http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/008007.php

http://empeg.comms.net/files/133662-ipodcompare. jp g

battery life?

[fr0dicus]

My 2nd gen iPod does the advertised 10 hours. For the size, this is by far the best battery life I've ever had on a portable player. Way better than my old solid state mp3 players (2-3 hours), and only eclipsed by my sony CD walkman, which had plenty of room for larger batteries (ie. barely portable, certainly not pocketable). I can't really argue against either of these players, unless you have a mac, in which case the iPod is a no brainer.