size of mp3 harddrive?

[nooyawkah]

I am in the market for an MP3 player with a harddrive. I would like to use it to download books on tape. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the size harddrive I might need (20, 30 40GB) and any ideas as to brand. I am a PC user and have a USB 2 connection.

[ksuohio]

I really like my iPod and now iTunes for the PC has book online from there store. I have the 15 gig model which has roughly 7 and 1/2 days of continuous music. That's music at mostly 192 kbps so if you are using just books, I'm sure you can fit more.

[nooyawkah]

Thanks, ksuohio. Do you have any difficulty using iPod with Windows?

[Louisville Slugger]

The iPod is so easy to use with iTunes for windows. Yes, even though it's windows that doesn't make the iPod harder to use. It's a breeze, just drag and drop the songs into iTunes and they copy over. You can also set certain presets for each song, and increase the internal volume level if the Mp3 is to low. iTunes recognizes it immediately, and it also lets you browse while play your favorite tunes. It's the best program for the iPod, in my own opinion.

[ksuohio]

Originally posted by nooyawkah
Thanks, ksuohio. Do you have any difficulty using iPod with Windows?

I actually just "switched" my iPod over from my Powerbook to WinXP machine today. It was a little tricky, but it worked. They syncing process is the same regardless. Basically, you put the iPod in the dock, iTunes starts up and syncs all of your songs. IMO, if you go with an iPod, spend the extra $100 and get the 30 gig version over the 15. One thing you can't do is add memory later.

[nooyawkah]

I looked at the iPod and was very impressed. I found out that the iPOD is the only MP3 player with a harddrive that will play the audible formats used for downloaded books. I just wish the devices weren't so expensive.

[proxops-pete]

Ok... first even at 5 MB/song, that's 4000 songs on 20 GB version!!!! Who even has time to hear them all, let alone collect them all??!!!! I've converted about 100 CD's of my collection, and even at 192 kbps, they don't take up more than 5 GB!!! And I still don't have time to listen to other CD's!! Anything higher than 10 GB is really overkill!!

[number1sixerfan]

I wonder how hard it is to search and find a song that you want to listen to when you have 5000 songs on your ipod.

[Hans Moleman]

Originally posted by number1sixerfan
I wonder how hard it is to search and find a song that you want to listen to when you have 5000 songs on your ipod.

Not that hard. The scroll wheel is very efficient and surprisingly fast once you get the hang of it.

[ksuohio]

Originally posted by number1sixerfan
I wonder how hard it is to search and find a song that you want to listen to when you have 5000 songs on your ipod.

Actually, finding a song isn't hard, it's remembering all the songs that you want to listen to which is hard. There have been times when I purchase a CD and forget to listen to it the next day.

[CrawlingEye]

It depends, would you like something that looks appealing and is tiny or something that's attractive, small (not tiny) and has excellent sound quality?


I'd say the Zen Xtra, if you have the $$ to shell out.
From all accounts I've heard (www.head-fi.com) the Zen series have more powerful and cleaner sound. If you use high-quality headphones, you'll notice the differences.

[Hans Moleman]

Originally posted by nooyawkah
I looked at the iPod and was very impressed. I found out that the iPOD is the only MP3 player with a harddrive that will play the audible formats used for downloaded books. I just wish the devices weren't so expensive.

Go with a refurb. Bottom left link at the applestore. Mine came sealed and in mint condition.