The one on the top is a Creative Zen Sleek, and the ones shown below is the Sony Network Walkman, NW-HD5.
Both have easy-to-access battery doors, but better re-check this for the Creative model, because it undergone updates.
SINGAPORE - April 5, 2006 - Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced that it is projecting an operating loss of approximately $55 million to $65 million on revenues of approximately $220 million to $230 million for the third quarter of its 2006 fiscal year, ended March 31, 2006. These results are in addition to the previously announced non-cash impairment charge of $25 million and the restructuring charge of $9 million associated with the refocus of the Company's graphics business in the period. The operating loss is primarily attributable to a drop in flash memory prices in the quarter, with a particularly drastic drop in flash memory prices at the end of the quarter. The sharp drop in memory prices had a significant negative impact on sales in March and resulted in lower revenues and gross margins and inventory write-downs in the period.
I would suggest a few different characteristics to consider:
1. Memory. How many songs would you like for her to be able to save on it? You're somewhat limited in that price range, but you could probably get a model that allows her to save a couple hundred songs. Personally, I think the more memory the better.(also, you can forget about repairing it - if it breaks it'll be cheaper to buy a new one.)
2. Display. Some models have a display on it so she can see what's playing; others do not. Which would she prefer?
3. Flash memory v. hard drive. If she has an active lifestyle, get flash memory because bouncing around won't impact it.
Don't know where you got the info on the battery, but over time every battery will have to be replaced. If something is wrong with the battery within the warranty period Apple replaces the entire unit, not just the battery.
After the warranty period there are many vendors who will install a replacement battery for you when the batteries life has expired. That is true for any MP3 player you might purchase.
Don't get an MP3 player that looks like it could even remotely be an oven timer. Our oven timer broke a few weeks ago and one evening I was needing to bake a couple of batches of brownies. They have to be cooked exactly 27 minutes. I dug through all the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen looking for the new timer my husband said he had picked up. I finally found a nice, little electronic gadget under a towel on the counter near the oven. I picked it up and fiddled and fiddled with it, but couldn't seem to be able to figure it out. Getting exasperated I shouted at my husband to come downstairs and set this blamed timer for 27 minutes. You can guess his reaction.
The one on the top is a Creative Zen Sleek, and the ones shown below is the Sony Network Walkman, NW-HD5.
Both have easy-to-access battery doors, but better re-check this for the Creative model, because it undergone updates.
regarding music sites, she can find Christian music sites from which to download, but even if she chooses rhapsody, etal it's really up to her not to download inappropriate tunes ... most music will cost anywhere from 49cents to 99 cents per tune ... hope she can copy friends' cds and then transfer to her device...
have fun .... ps - you're a good uncle ... or is that aunt?
bttt
Any player you choose should have all the cabling and software you need to get the player hooked up to your PC.
The sites you go to for music will depend to some extent on which player you choose. Apple's iTunes offers files in AAC format, which players other than the iPod will not recognize (before someone who doesn't know tells you otherwise, the iPod does recognize and play mp3 files). Most of the other sites (Rhapsody, Wal Mart Music, Napster) offer files in a protected Windows Media format. The iPod will not play those files.
I buy most of my music from iTunes, but I do buy quite a bit from a site called emusic.com. They have files in mp3 format, but most of their stuff is from small labels and is definitely off the beaten path. They're great if you like less popular stuff like blues, jazz and classical. There's another mp3 site hosted in Russia that I've heard some good things about, but I haven't visited it so I just don't know. Someone who knows more than I will probably be happy to post the URL.
Generally, any of the sites where you pay for the music will be "safe", as in free of viruses and other malware. Since you're getting this for a teen (as in someone who doesn't have her own credit or debit card), you may want to look into sites where she can buy and redeem gift cards.
One thing about Napster - they have "unlimited downloads", but you don't actually own the music. You have to pay them a monthly fee (about $15 the last time I checked), or else your music will not play. I don't like that at all, but some people prefer it (I'm guessing that most of them are people who burn their music to CDs).
My suggestion - take your niece shopping with you when you're ready to buy the player, and take her someplace like Best Buy or Circuit City, which should have a good selection of various models. Let her try out all the players that fit your budget and pick the one she likes the best.