Pros and Cons of Four Digital Music Players
The Washington Post
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Related Article: Non-iPods Build In the Extras
Reviewed players:
Creative Zen Micro | Dell Pocket DJ | Sony NW-HD3 | iRiver H10
Creative Zen Micro
Price: $199
Specs: 5 GB, 3.8 oz.
Pros:
• Plays protected WMA files
• FM (recordable)
• Microphone
• Syncs with Outlook
• Very comfortable grip
• Search function
• User-replaceable battery
• Many color choices
Cons:
• Touch controls sometimes oversensitive
• Requires special install to hold data files
Dell Pocket DJ
Price: $199
Specs: 5 GB, 4.4 oz.
Pros:
• Plays protected WMA files
• Comfortable grip
Cons:
• No manual
• Barrel controller can be slow
• No user-replaceable battery
Sony NW-HD3
Price: $229.95
Specs: 20 GB, 4.6 oz.
Pros:
• Plays protected ATRAC files
• Above-average battery life
• Smaller than most 20 GB players - close to the size of the iPod Mini
• Large storage capacity
Cons:
• Does not play protected WMA files
• Directional pad feels flimsy
• Nonstandard USB connector
• Less than optimal hand-fit
• No control of scroll speed
• Proprietary SonicStage player instead of Windows Media Player
• No user-replicable battery
iRiver H10
Price: $299
Specs: 20 GB, 5.8 oz.
Pros:
• Color screen
• Displays color photos
• FM (recordable)
• Microphone
• Elegant interface features
• User-replaceable battery
• Large storage capacity
• Thorough manual
Cons:
• Touch controls sometimes oversensitive
• Touchpad doesn't double as a select button
• Some button functions not clear
• Hard drive noisier than most
