Do I buy an mp3 player or an mp3 jukebox?

[Rabrrrrrr]

I know there are pros and cons for both: the biggest con of the mp3 players being limited memory (for my money, I'm looking at a mere 256MB) where as the jukebox I'm looking at has 10GB.

But the con of the jukebox is that it's an actual harddrive, much more prone to failure. Also it's much heavier. The weight is not a huge issue for me, but the one I'm looking at is 12 ounces. Not much, but more than I'm used to. It's also on the largish size - the mp3 player I'm thinking of is smaller than a credit card.

I also like that the jukebox can be used as a regular harddrive, offering me another safe place to store backups of a few critical files.

But MY BIGGEST issue I worry about is how well a jukebox will sustain itself and last if I'm carrying it around the city while on the subway, and flying aruond, and etc. If the damn things are prone to quick breakage from vibration, and/or also prone to software crashes, it's not worth it.

The mp3 player I'm looking at is the iAUDIO CW200 256 MB MP3 Player with FM Radio and Voice Recorder - for my money, and for the features, it's exactly what I want.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007KE6V/104-0118729-0703107?v=glance&me=A3T4TT2Z381HKD&st=electronics

The jukebox I'm considering is the Archos 10 GB Studio MP3 Player Jukebox, which seems to be also just what I want.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000633EM/qid=1071075675/br=1-15/ref=br_lf_etk_ce_av__15//104-0118729-0703107?v=glance&s=electronics&n=1195890

What are the expriences of you knowledgable DUers? I've never owned either kind of player.

[SoCalDem]

1. No matter.. You can only listen to one at a time anyway :)

:)

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Hey, since you like "Happy Everything"

try this link:

http://www.christinelavin.com/audio/CLavXmas.mp3

[SlavesandBulldozers]

3. i have a very low mem mp3 player

but it is designed for running and jogging, its rugged, and came with a strap and innovative magnets to attach the earphone plug to my shirt. I like it because I put over an album's worth of songs on it via usb and its quick and painless. I don't use it as a storage device, i use it as an mp3 player.

I would take the iAudio 256 cause it's less bulky, and in the world of mp3 players form is function.

[Systematic Chaos]

4. I want an iPod someday, but for now

my compromise is to have an MP3-compatible portable CD player. I had a RioVolt until it got stolen in October. Now, I just bought a new one by Virgin Audio at Target but until I get some quality earphones I won't know how good it really sounds. These can be had for well under $100 now and they generally have very good anti-skip buffering built in.

[trogdor]

8. That's all you need, really.

CD-R's are dirt cheap; damn near disposable. My computer now functions like a jukebox. Heck, I might just try to make a real stereo system out of it. Anyhoo, I also have an MP3 CD player in my car. No ClearChannel bullshiat for me, no sir! Never have to listen to a song that sucks ever again.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. I had a mini-disc player once that I really liked,

but terrorists blew it up. I had thought of replacing it, but never did, and since I only had time to make like two or three mini-CDs with it, I'm not really out anything.

The CD-mp3 player would be okay, but I absolutely HATE the size of the portable CD players (which, of course, is the faulty of the CD size, not the players). Too big for my pockets.

I loved the convenience of the mini-cd player.

[Atman]

5. Only One Choice...

Can you say iPod?

Mind blowing. And you can get a cradle and stuff to make it you primary stereo if you want. My son even has a remote for his, so he leaves it on the shelf and uses it as his main music source. And the iTunes software is simply the best on the market. Don't take my word for it...look up the reviews. Apple even sells fully warranted refurbs on their web site.

Really, honestly...no other MP3 player compares. Not even close.

On edit..I also have a regular old Rio 500 which still works great...but it cost as much when I bought it as an iPod does now. And it only has 64 mb built in! At least I can use memory cards!

[grassroots]

7. walk the talk

I'd concur with Atman -- If you can swing it, get an iPod. Go for the simple life, an iPod is versatile. An added bonus -- in a capitalist society, voting with your dollars is really where it's at. Boycott Microsoft.

[Atman]

13. More than music

The iPod is a Toshiba HD...and, an undocumented treat, at least for Mac owners (don't know if it works on PC's)...in addition to your music, toss a copy of your OS on it. If your computer ever fails, you can plug your iPod in and use it as a boot disk. Try that with your mp3 player!

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. iPod's too expensive

but I hear only wonderful things about 'em.

[Kamika]

6. Get the player! I have a 96 mb player

I have a mp3 player with 96 MB !!!! and I can store about 80 or so songs..

Ofcourse I wouldnt't say no to more memory but I mean I manage totally ok with just 96

Thing is you make the songs to 48 kbit because the player can't play 128 quality anyway so you can store tons.

Oh yeah My player weighs so little and is so small I hardly notice it.

This is the size of my player


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[trogdor]

9. Dang!

I could put, um, 600 songs (45 or 50 albums) on a CD for that. Absolutely mind-blowing. I ought to try it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Thanks, Kamika! As always, you rock

:-)

I've eben thinking abotu this all afternoon, and realizing that even though I thought size wasn't an issue, it raelly is, and I'm really scared about running around with a hard drive that could fail at any moment.

So, looks I've talekd myself into the 256Mb iAudio mp3 player. I also like the mp3 player has a voice recorder so I can take vocal notes when needed.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

[Rabrrrrrr]

14. Kickin' once more for the equally savvy and sauve night crew

Hey - do we get an extra 10% in our DU paychecks for consistently working the night shift?