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Best MP3 player
Pros: Video camera, fun colors, larger, 2.2-inch screen, only iPod with an FM radio.
Cons: iTunes 9 is required, awkward camera lens position, click wheel is smaller and harder to use.
885909305377
Apple
N/A
TFT
2.2 (diagonal)
240 by 376
Yes
8GB or 16GB
2,000 or 4,000
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
N/A
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, dock connector
AAC, Protected AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Rechargeable lithium-ion
24
5
3
N/A
32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
10,000 ft.
N/A
VGA video camera, FM tuner with live pause, VoiceOver, Nike+ sport kit, pedometer
Mac: Mac OS X v.10.4.11 or later, iTunes 9 or later; Windows: Vista or XP Home or Professional Service Pack 3 or later, iTunes 9 or later
3.6 in.
1.5 in.
0.24 in.
1.28
Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, quick start guide
1 year limited
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Best touch-screen MP3 player
Pros: 3.5-inch touch screen, easy-to-use interface, faster processor for gaming, thousands of mobile apps, wi-Fi capable.
Cons: Audio quality is only average, no video camera.
885909301379
Apple
N/A
Widescreen multi-touch
3.5 (diagonal)
480 by 320
Yes
8GB, 32GB or 64GB
1,750, 7,000 or 14,000
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
N/A
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, dock connector
AAC, Protected AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
Rechargeable lithium-ion
30
6
4
N/A
32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
10,000 ft.
No
Wi-Fi, Nike+ iPod support, Maps location-based service, Bluetooth 2.1, video support
Mac: Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later, iTunes 9 or later; Windows: Vista or XP Home or Professional Service Pack 3 or later, iTunes 9 or later
4.3 in.
2.4 in.
0.33 in.
4.05
Earphones with remote and mic, USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, quick start guide
1 year limited
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Best iPod alternative
Pros: Gorgeous touch screen, hD radio, wi-Fi-capable, zune Pass subscription service.
Cons: Few mobile apps, web browser is slow, windows only.
882224858144
Microsoft
N/A
OLED color
3.3
480 by 272
Yes
16GB or 32GB
4,000 or 8,000
N/A
N/A
3.5 mm headphone jack, connector port
WMA, WMA Pro, WMA Lossless, AAC-LC, MP3
Rechargeable
33
8.5
3
JPEG
N/A
N/A
N/A
Wireless, built-in FM/HD radio, video support
Windows: Windows 7, Vista, XP with Service Pack 2; Mac: Mac OS X with Boot Camp running Windows 7, Vista or XP
102.1 mm
52.7 mm
8.9 mm
2.6
Headphones, Zune sync cable, three pairs of foam earpiece covers
1 year limited
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Best sound quality
Pros: Excellent audio quality, noise-canceling headphones, integrated Slacker radio service.
Cons: Poor web browser, small on-screen keyboard, expensive.
027242755192
Sony
NWZ-X1061FBSMP and NWZ-X1051FBSMP
OLED color
3
432 by 240
Yes
16 GB or 32 GB
N/A
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
N/A
Headphone output, USB port
MP3, WMA, AAC, L-PCM
Rechargeable lithium-ion
33
4.5
3
JPEG
41 to 95 degrees F
N/A
30
Video support, digital FM tuner
IBM PC/AT or compatible computer preinstalled with Windows XP Home Edition, XP Professional, Vista
3.875 in.
2.125 in.
0.40 in.
3.5
MDR-NC020 Noise Canceling EX earbuds, audio input cable, quick start guide, USB cable, plug adapter for in-flight use, attachment, CD-ROM
1 year parts, 90 days labor
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Budget MP3 player
Pros: Great value, small and lightweight, microSD memory card slot, fM radio.
Cons: 1-inch screen is hard to read, radio reception is finicky in some areas.
619659000097
SanDisk
N/A
OLED
1
N/A
No
2 GB, 4 GB or 8 c GB
500, 1,000 or 2,000
N/A
N/A
MicroSD and MicroSDHC memory card slot, USB 2.0, headphone jack
MP3, WMA, secure WMA, Audible, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, audio books and podcasts
Rechargeable
15
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
40
Digital FM tuner, built-in microphone, wearable clip
Windows XP, Vista or Mac OS x10.3 (Mass Storage Class)
2.16 in.
1.36 in.
0.60 in.
0.85
USB 2.0 transfer cable, earphones and quick start guide
1 year limited