Need Purchasing Advice on an MP3 player

[lrjohnson]

This definitely belongs in "Everything Else."

My Guy would like an MP3 player, and I’d like to get him one for Christmas (or birthday January 10). He’s said he has seen good ones for less than a hundred. Unfortunately he didn’t tell me what brands! I know he doesn’t want video, and wants minimum one gig, and does not want an iPod.

Here’s the thing...if I ask him for more details, it won’t be a surprise, and I’d love to have it be a surprise. I am working to cut many other categories so I can Wow him while of course staying within My Challenge boundaries.

Looking at New Egg and Target and others online, I find a bunch under a hundred but have no clue if they are cruddy or practical and good.

So, anyone more savvy than I have some clues or recommendations? Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated...

[Broken Arrow]

Yikes....

Well, if you are willing to spend up to $150, the iRiver Clix is the one to have! In fact, if I was actually going to buy a non-Apple mp3 player for myself, that's what I would get. Also, if you look around hard enough, you might be able to find the older U10 model that has less memory but may be cheaper.

If not, and if you must keep it within $100, I would look into either the Sandisk Sansa C250 or the Creative Zen V Plus.

Well good luck.

[lrjohnson]

Thanks, this is helpful information.

Real life me wouyld go for the $150. However, I made a commitment to due CA Minimum Wage for a year, and the only "cheat" I allowed myself was International Travel. So that leaves me with $1026 a month to spent, and clearly $150 is a lot. I already did a lot of massaging to plump my gift budget to $70 for the month, which gives me a balance of $92.36 for me to spend. So it would take more massaging. Especially if I try to also get him the thumb drive he wants...... (hoping to find a twenty buck super deal). I have underpsent in other categories.....I've got some work and thinking to do.

[poundwise]

You said he didn't want video but the Creative Zen V Plus, mentioned by Broken Arrow, got a good review from CNET link and the 1GB version can be had for well under $100 link.

If you'd prefer a similar player, smaller in dimensions but still with 1GB (and without video playback), you might try something like this or this.

Good luck!

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

So it would take more massaging. Especially if I try to also get him the thumb drive he wants...... (hoping to find a twenty buck super deal).

in Office Max on Tuesday they had 1 gig sandisk thumb drives on sale for $19.99

[ren]

Another good deal on a thumb drive.

Can't give you advice on an MP3 player -- I wouldn't give up my refurb iPod for the world (in case anyone else is looking for an MP3 player and an iPod is acceptable, check the Apple Store's refurb site, there are some good deals there).

[lrjohnson]

Thanks for all your help. I sprung for the iRiver Clix and he loves it. It was better than he expected; he knows I'm on My Challenge so maybe his expectations were low. I might get one when My Challenge is over in March!

[Broken Arrow]

I'm glad he likes it! Considering that my reputation was sort of riding on that one....

In fact... now I'm sort of itching to get myself one. Hahaha. Don't worry, I'm not going to though. Hmm... I wonder what Steve Job is planning for MWSF later today....

Anyways, hope that didn't derail your challenge too much!

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

Anyways, hope that didn't derail your challenge too much!

I'm too committed, now; I just pulled form other categories. This train is rolling.

[Broken Arrow]

You go, girl!