KEY POINTS:
THE CHEAP OPTIONS
IPod Shuffle
The entry-level option in the iPod world. This second-generation 1GB Shuffle is a tiny, 15g clip-on music player that carries 240 songs, enough for 12 hours of music playback and shuffles the play-list to keep things interesting.
It doesn't have any battery-draining digital display, just a few simple buttons to control volume and playback. Simple, efficient and lightweight.
Price: $149
www.apple.co.nz
Creative Zen
V Plus Creative's low-end music player is the size of a box of matches, covered in a rubber sleeve to prevent scratches. It has 1GB of memory but trumps the Shuffle with its 1.5-inch LCD screen, which can display video, photos and album art. The Zen also has a voice recorder, syncs with Microsoft Outlook so you can carry contact details around with you and features direct CD recording. All that makes it a surprisingly well-featured little player.
Price: $219
www.creative.com
THE SPLASH-OUT
iPod Video 80GB
The serious music listener's device of choice. Plug it into your stereo to creative a digital music jukebox that will outlast even the longest of parties - 20,000 songs. The iPod's interaction with iTunes software is seamless, allowing you to transfer music stored in your library or free podcasts downloaded from iTunes.com. We still can't download music from iTunes.com which is frustrating as none of the iPods work directly with local music websites. Still, that may soon change and as a music and video player the iPod Video 80GB does the fundamentals very well.
Price: $649
www.apple.co.nz
Creative Zen Vision: M 30GB
Beats its iPod equivalent in point for point, but doesn't quite have the cool factor to sell in the same quantities. The high-capacity Zen is for those who enjoy the environment of the Windows world and don't want to have to move to Apple's iTunes media player. Compatible with local music download sites that supply music in the WMA format. The Zen will carry 15,000 songs and play video on its bright screen. Looks great in black.
Price: $609
www.creative.com
And then there's ...
Apple will soon come under direct attack from rival Microsoft, which is launching its own music player to work with Windows Media Player and a music download service as comprehensive as iTunes.com. The Zune, out early next year, will feature built-in wireless networking so you can transfer music from computer to player without having to plug in wires.
