mp3 player question

[squash500]

First of all, I'm embarassed too post this. I am a total beginner with computers. Fellow terbites, what would be the best mp3 player to buy for a total beginner? Should I buy an ipod or another brand?

I have also never downloaded any music before so what sites would you recommend that won't infect my computer with viruses and spyware etc.

I am nervous about the whole mp3 player thing but I am getting tired of my bulky cd player. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated .

 

[dreamblade]

I did a lot of searching before I bought my mp3 player, and found the 4gb Zen V by Creative to be what I was looking for.

My criteria were:
- ease of use (you don't need to install the sw, it reads like an external drive, so you drag and drop your mp3's into the device)

- space vs size (it fits in the palm of your hand, and 4gb is plenty, you can store 3000-5000 songs)

- versatile application (it has a full colour screen, so you can play video clips or view photos)

- file sharing (if a friend likes your songs, you can drag&drop them into their PC, unlike the overhyped Ipoop)

- price (you can get it for around 100$ nowadays)

 

[squash500]

My criteria were:
- ease of use (you don't need to install the sw, it reads like an external drive, so you drag and drop your mp3's into the device)

Thanks for the response DB . Where do you download the songs from? I have only 3 cds and my cd/rom dvd drive is broken anyway. Sorry for the dumb question as I said before I am a beginner to all of this.

 

[squash500]

I love my Sansa

Wd, I've heard good things about that brand. Maybe I could get away with the 4 Gb if there is such a think. Thanks for your response . I will check things out furthur.

 

[insidevoice]

I have a Zen Vision and am quite happy with it but if I had to do it again I'd go with the iPod. There are just so many fun accessories out there with the Apple brand ... not so much with the others including Creative (Zen). Of course I'm a huge volume hog when it comes to my mp3 player. If you only have a few cds or tracks that you'd like to listen to then you can certainly go with a smaller unit and cheaper than the iPod.