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Best MP3 players of 2005 |
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 James Kim Senior editor |
December 20, 2005
We reviewed a bunch of MP3 players in 2005, a year in which we witnessed flash-based players climb to 4GB, the appearance of mind-boggling form factors, and video emerge as a mainstream feature. SanDisk now sells the Sansa 4GB m260 for $200 ($179 online), while the MobiBlu DAH-1500i stole the show with its tiny cube design. It was a great year to buy an MP3 player, especially if you're an iTunes fan--three iPod variations, including the now defunct iPod Mini, received a rating of 8.0 or higher. The 8GB Creative Zen Micro Photo leads the subscription-ready WMA pack into the new year, and the NW-HD5 is Sony's best MP3 effort to date; sadly, it's being discontinued. We should also mention the iRiver U10, Cowon's iAudio X5L, and Samsung's Samsung YEPP YP-MT6 as outstanding runners-up. More resources
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| Product name |
Apple iPod (60GB, video, white) 
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Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Silver) |
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)
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Apple iPod Mini (6GB, pink)
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Apple iPod Nano (4GB, black)
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Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB) |
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| Review date | October 20, 2005 | July 14, 2005 | November 22, 2005 | March 17, 2005 | September 13, 2005 | April 1, 2005 |
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Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained) |
8.0
Excellent |
7.7
Very good |
8.3
Excellent |
8.0
Excellent |
8.3
Excellent |
8.0
Excellent |
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| Buying choices |
Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data... |
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Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data... |
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| Product videos |
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| Review summary | Get the affordable, sleek, and sexy 5G Apple iPod for its audio virtues. Although video looks great, poor video battery life and a relatively small screen hamper its appeal to video heads. | If you want a slick alternative to the iPod and you're into Sony's Connect music store, then the NW-HD5 is a stellar choice. | The Creative Zen Micro Photo is an excellent full-featured MP3 player and, for its size, a decent photo viewer; it just doesn't combine the two effectively. | In the iPod Mini redux, Apple offers two capacity options and a more competitive pricing scheme--welcome improvements in an already fantastic player. | Thanks to its limited capacity, the gorgeous iPod Nano isn't for everybody, but it sets the standard for MP3 players to come. | We'd like to see a few improvements to the Samsung YEPP YP-T7, but it should be a top choice for those who want an MP3 player with tons of features. |
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| Product series | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | See all products in this series |
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| My Products | ||||||
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| User comments | 7.2 Very good (from 69 users) | 7.8 Very good (from 60 users) | 6.9 Good (from 98 users) | Be one of the first to rate this product! | 7.0 Very good (from 241 users) | 8.4 Excellent (from 42 users) |
| Basic Specs | ||||||
| PC interface(s) supported | Hi-Speed USB | Hi-Speed USB | Info unavailable | Hi-Speed USB , FireWire | USB | Info unavailable |
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| Flash memory installed | None | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | No built-in memory | 4 GB | Info unavailable |
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| Flash memory form factor | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Integrated | Info unavailable |
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| Digital storage media capacity | 60 GB | 20 GB | Info unavailable | 6 GB | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
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| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 2.4 in x 0.6 in x 4.1 in | 3.5 in x 0.6 in x 2.2 in | 2 in x 0.7 in x 3.3 in | 2 in x 0.5 in x 3.6 in | 1.6 in x 0.3 in x 3.5 in | 1.5 in x 0.6 in x 2.4 in |
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| Weight | 5.5 oz | 4.8 oz | 4.1 oz | 3.6 oz | 1.5 oz | 1.4 oz |
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| Resolution | 320 x 240 | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 138 x 110 | 176 x 132 | Info unavailable |
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| Battery technology | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium ion | Lithium polymer |
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| Mfr estimated battery life | 20 hour(s) | 40 hour(s) | Info unavailable | 18 hour(s) | 14 hour(s) | Info unavailable |
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| Software type | Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows | Drivers & Utilities | Info unavailable | Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows | Apple iTunes for Mac , Apple iTunes for Windows | Info unavailable |
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| Radio | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz |
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| Manufacturer warranty | 1 year warranty | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 1 year warranty | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
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| Product type | Digital player | Hard drive | Microdrive | Microdrive | Flash player | Flash player |
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| Color | White | Silver | Gray | Pink | Black | Blue |
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| Sound output mode | Stereo | Stereo | Info unavailable | Stereo | Stereo | Info unavailable |
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| Width | 2.4 in | 3.5 in | 2 in | 2 in | 1.6 in | 1.5 in |
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| Depth | 0.6 in | 0.6 in | 0.7 in | 0.5 in | 0.3 in | 0.6 in |
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| Height | 4.1 in | 2.2 in | 3.3 in | 3.6 in | 3.5 in | 2.4 in |
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| Equalizer factory presets | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Classical , POP , Normal , Jazz , Rock | Info unavailable |
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| Amplifier response bandwidth | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 20 - 20000 Hz | 20 - 20000 Hz | Info unavailable |
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| Digital player (recorder) | WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless | WMA , WAV , ATRAC3 , MP3 , ATRAC3plus | WMA , WAV , ADPCM , MP3 | WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless | WAV , AIFF , Audible , MP3 , AAC , Apple Lossless | WMA , ASF , Ogg Vorbis , MP3 |
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| Product name |
Apple iPod (60GB, video, white)
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Sony Network Walkman NW-HD5 (Silver) |
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB, gray)
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Apple iPod Mini (6GB, pink)
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Apple iPod Nano (4GB, black)
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Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB) |
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| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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| Price range |
 Check latest prices$179-$350 from 3 stores |
This product is not currently available.Click here for Sony's latest offerings
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Check latest prices $114-$195 from 3 stores |
Check latest prices $155-$419 from 2 stores |
Check latest prices $165 from 1 store | Email me when this product is available |
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