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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?"
Just picked up a Jukebox Multimedia for $300 - 20 gigs + support for recording and low end DivX movies. Spent a lot of time interviewing people with it at Defcon, not great quality but a versatile little box.
I have a 20GB 2nd series ipod (now my wifes) and a 30GB 3rd series. The big difference I found was the quality. Borrow somebodies ipod and just listen to the sound - it is fantastic. The headphones alone would be $75 as they contain neobydium magnets and are great quality - ever notice when you see somebody with an ipod they are using the included headphones?
:)
The next thing is simplicity - the menu system on the ipod I find much more navigable and easier to use... granted I have only played w/ a zen in the store but the ipod just makes sense.
You also say you are not too worried about size, but just going from the series 2 to the series 3 is awesome (and the series 2 was smaller). You can slip it into your shirt pocket and never know it is there. It really does make a difference... granted, either is night and day for you right now, but down the road do you really want to suddenly be envious of a friends tight little package? (he he...)
I can honestly say these have been some of the best purchases I have ever made, have used them w/ both windows and on my wife's ibook. They work fabulous. And don't forget that iTunes and the Apple Music Store are coming to windows... you'll need something to play those nice songs on and slickly hook into what I think is the best mp3 player out there! (Yup, I'm jealous of my wife... come on economy - get rolling so I can get me a G5!!!)
You could always just buy you a volkwagen bug and get an ipod for free!!!
Creative is horrible at support. Have you ever tried to DL a driver pack from them? Usually you get 4 or 5 TSR proggies that will crash your system. I lived in Singapore and actually had to go to their HQ three times to get my Geforce II replaced. Bad news.
Apple? I own an IPOD, and notwithstanding that you have to install MusicMatch, their package is quite good. I had very few software problems and absolutely no hardware issues. The IPOD is top notch stuff and it makes the subway commute into work everyday much more enjoyable.
We are Pentium of Borg. Division is futile. You will be approximated.
I own a jukebox 3 (20gb) and it has great sound quality (creative does have a BIT more experiance in sound than apple) and has dual line out ports (attatch to 4+speaker systems) in addition to the headphone jack. The feature that an iPod doesnt even come close to is line/mic/optical(and FM with additional hardware) recording to many different formats. Im not sure if the zenNX has these as creatives website isnt loading for me but these features definately made me pick creative over the ipod even though the jukebox is kinda big and ugly (doesnt matter if you keep it in a bag, pocket, or slide it into an empty slot above your car stereo :) )
Bottles.
One point in favor of the iPod is the iTunes Music Store. Intuitive interface, non-intrusive DRM, great selection and getting better all the time. And it will soon be available for Windows. Do you really want to use BuyMusic.com instead?
--Paul
Nomad == made by Creative == also has restrictive DRM in place (on the device - hint: don't try to copy files from the device back to your hard drive)
- Removable/replaceable battery (although whether Creative will actually sell them further down the line is another issue).
- Low signal/noise ratio - Apple don't have (in my limited searching) specs for SNR for the iPod listed anywhere, so I can't compare, but from what I hear, the ZenNX has it there.
- 4-band equaliser - the iPod just has presets.
- On-the-fly cross-song volume normalisation - probably be handy for when your entire collection was been ripped before you knew anything about volume control. *ahem*
Err, that's it. I would recommend that you check the accuracy of my statements; some of my comparisons may be to the older iPod.im still using my 5gig 1st gen that ive had since a month after release and it is amazing still. The only time the size is an issue is when i use it in firewire disk mode. i even think that its better smaller. it makes me choose my playlists for it more carefully. its noit like i need the entirity of my library on it at any given time. in fact i usually leave about a gig open, JIC theres a file i need to throw on it.
what i really want is an uber-cheap uber-small 3-5gig model, id be in hog heaven.
and to be on topic, the interface is the best part of the ipod, it is the essence of good design. the second you put the ipod in your hand you know how to use it.
I want 2D games back.
I opted for the new 15gig iPod. Price wasn't an issue, but size was. Even though there isn't that much of a difference (30 gig is 10% heavier and nearly 1/8 inch thicker), I still wanted the thinner/lighter version.
By comparison, the Zen weighs 9.5oz to the 5.6oz/6.2oz iPods.
Capacity wasn't too much of a concern either. I've had a hard enough time finding 15 gigs of music to listen to, let alone 30 or 60 gigs.
I cannot really compare the iPod to the Zen, because the iPod was the only one I considered.
In terms of navigation, I find the solid state scroll wheel easy to use, as well as the remote control.
One short-coming with the iPod is that I had hoped that they would have redesigned the remote to include a small text display. I also wish there was a way to integrate my iPod with my car's navigation/steering wheel controls. I also wish there was a way to save your on-the-fly playlists (although there probably is some Apple script to accomodate this).
The headphones are adequate - I don't mind the white earbuds, as I always get a kick out of seeing other people walking down the street sporting an iPod (it's almost like you're part of a secret club - although not quite as cool as when you spot a car with an Apple sticker on it - especially a rainbow one!), although I've been eyeballing the Bang + Olufsen Earphones. I haven't found a pair of in-earphones that are actually comfortable to wear.
In either case, see if you can "borrow" someone elses, and see which one appeals to you.
While I might be feeding a troll here ...
... but that driver seems to work perfectly fine for me.
He does compare the user interface of the ipod to the user interface of the zen, comparing it to palmos and wince. I am right there with him/her on this comparison.
And with the ipod, you'd be amazed to discover there are other software solutions for it. While I can't speak for the mac side of the house (and everyone I've talked to about itunes has been fairly happy with it), I know for certain on the PC side, there's EphPod and Media Jukebokx, both of which I've used. Granted, I believe both use the base driver that apple provides
I've owned a number of creative's portable mp3 products (zen, nomad, etc). I must say, this ipod and its interface have them all beat, hands down (so long as you skirt the cost issue =)