Creative Zen Portable Media Player (PMC)

[aKho]

for those who's thinking of getting an IPOD photo, wait a minute and have a look at this review of the Creative Zen. personally i'll go for this rather than an IPOD.

To say the Zen Portable Media Center is impressive is an understatement. It’s well designed and very easy to use. As a massive (ex)iPod fan, I felt that the fact it does so much more than the iPod was killer. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, has said on many occasions that he doesn’t see this kind of device being the next generation of media player. I think he’s not only sadly wrong, but a bit of a liar. The new iPod photo is the first step in the direction that Creative and many other companies are taking. Apple knows for a fact that if these types of device take off, they can't afford to be far behind.

The Zen PMC comes in ~$499; perhaps a bit steep - for an extra $50 you can buy yourself a new IBM laptop. However, you’re paying for a well made device. The iPod Photo (40 gig) retails at the same price, and although has more space, lacks a lot of the features seen on the Zen. I think buyers need to decide exactly what they think they are going to use the device for- if they want a media player that does the whole works, then the Zen PMC is definitely for you. Perhaps the Zen wont be popular with iPod fans, but it certainly will be popular with people entering the market who buy music online and want a simple solution; people that want to be able to play their DRM WMA files without hassle, or confusion.

My only issues are thoughts rather than criticisms. On the transfer front, I felt that they could improve the software used – WMP is good, but I personally don’t use it. A separate program managing this would be good, complementing rather than replacing the WMP interface. My other problem was the shape of it- although it might not be a major issue to most, I found that actually getting to stand up is quite a task- more of a balancing act. It doesn't have a 100% flat bottom, and as such tends to rock when you place it down (note – not laying it on its back with the screen up). Certainly not an issue if you're watching it in your hands or showing it to others. The shape, apart from this fact, is excellent. It's comfortable to use, and the buttons are well placed. Thus, all in all, I was very impressed with the device, and more importantly, think many others will be also. The Zen is simple to use, packed with features, and easily recommendable.

source : http://www.neowin.net/articles.php?a...=1&pagenum= 1
website : http://www.creative.com/products/pmp/

[djspinnet]

I got a problem with that though....

... I don't have Windows! *one black mark against it!*

Whereas the iPod can sync on both Windows and Mac platforms.

*hugs her iPod nano* Well, my nano doesn't play video, but the new iPods do - they're pretty much the same as the Zen, and besides, the iPods pioneered the whole concept anyway. The iPods also double up as a photo album, calendar, tasks reminder, games (yes, games even..), clock, address book, stopwatch, note reader (my Bible can go in there!)... and any extra space left in there can be used as a portable removable drive.

It's a keyboard and stylus short of a mini PDA. (Plus I love things small )

But at the end of the day its a matter of preference.. Mac users tend to love iPods, Windows users go either way, iPods or Creative

[aKho]

okay okay, u win. Mac definitely loves iPOD. hehe. btw, your a girl??!!?? cool...
penguin..

[Adrian Wong]

ROTFL!!!! DYKT our gadget guru, Marauderz already reviewed both the old Zen and the new Zen Vision???

Links :
- http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=149
- http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=263

[aKho]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

ROTFL!!!! DYKT our gadget guru, Marauderz already reviewed both the old Zen and the new Zen Vision???

Links :
- http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=149
- http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=263

wah! i so outdated...

[djspinnet]

Originally Posted by aKho

okay okay, u win. Mac definitely loves iPOD. hehe. btw, your a girl??!!?? cool...
penguin..

Yeah I am, was that surprising?

[aKho]

Originally Posted by djspinnet

Yeah I am, was that surprising?

very! a gal using linux...

[GarPhreak]

@aKho: This is the second forumer you've mis-gendered, right?

Originally Posted by aKho

very! a gal using linux...

Ooh... That comment might earn you some MCP references...

[aKho]

Originally Posted by GarPhreak

@aKho: This is the second forumer you've mis-gendered, right?

i think is the third... can't remember the first one..

Ooh... That comment might earn you some MCP references...

MCP? oohh.. male chauvinist pig?
i just find it pretty rare for a gal to be using linux rather than windows which is more popular. nothing against her mind you, just impressed that i actually met one in my lifetime.

[djspinnet]

Originally Posted by aKho

i think is the third... can't remember the first one..



MCP? oohh.. male chauvinist pig?
i just find it pretty rare for a gal to be using linux rather than windows which is more popular. nothing against her mind you, just impressed that i actually met one in my lifetime.

I get that pretty often actually. Kinda used to it, though I find it rather hilarious nowadays