When it comes to MP3 players, the choices are endless. Whether you want an ultra hip and sleek MP3 player or something more modest with lots of storage place, chances are, there is an MP3 player that matches what you want. All major electronics manufacturers, including Apple, Creative, Olympus, Philips, Samsung, and Sony, offer different kinds of MP3 players. Outside of design, storage and features, there are three main types of MP3 players: hard drive-based players, micro hard drive-based players, and flash-based players. Each of these options offers different pros and cons. Because of the wide range of options and storage capacities, MP3 players range from fifty to five hundred dollars in price. Normally, you can expect to pay a couple hundred for a quality MP3 player with ample storage space.

storage type

The three main types of MP3 players are; hard drive-based players, micro hard drive-based players, and flash-based players.

A hard drive-based player has the highest storage capacity. Hard drive players start at 10 GB, which holds approximately 3,500 songs, and can go extremely high, such as the 60 GB Apple iPod, which holds approximately 17,000 songs. Hard drive-based players are popular because they can store entire music collections, and they normally have larger screens. The downsides to buying an MP3 player with a hard drive is that they are normally larger than other types of MP3 players. The hard drives also have moving parts, so they aren't the best choice to be used during strenuous activity. Finally, once the rechargeable batteries die after a few years, you have to pay to have it replaced because you can't do it on your own.

A micro hard drive-based MP3 player straddles the line between the hard drive and flash-based players. Micro hard drive players are lighter than MP3 players with a hard drive and store more music than a flash-based player. Micro hard drive players can store up to 8 GB of music, which is approximately 2,500 songs. Although some of the MP3 players in this class feature non-removable batteries, many do have batteries that can be easily replaced once they wear out. The downsides to micro hard drive-based players are the fact that you get less storage for your money than you do with larger hard drive players. Micro hard drive players also have a hard drive with moving parts, so they are not recommended to be used during physical activity.

Flash-based players are the original MP3 player design. They feature no moving parts, and ultra compact designs. Flash players are shockproof, which makes them ideal for jogging or working out at the gym. Flash players can range from 32 MB to 6 GB, but normally do not exceed 512 MB of storage space, which allows approximately a couple hundred songs to be stored. Flash players normally have plenty of extra features, such as a built-in voice recorder. The biggest downside to flash-based players is the fact that you get the least amount of storage for what you pay. Flash MP3 players can also be difficult to operate because they normally have very small buttons and a tiny display screen.

accessories for your mp3 player

As MP3 players have gained popularity, the amount of accessories that are available has greatly increased. No longer are you limited to headphones and cases. The most popular MP3 accessories are speakers and car kits. MP3 player speakers can range in price from twenty dollars to several hundred dollars, depending on their quality and performance. Some speakers run off of the MP3 player's battery, while many others have an external sound supply. Brands such as Bose, JBL, and Sony are among the most popular of MP3 player speakers. Because of its popularity, there are many speakers that are designed exclusively for the Apple iPod. In addition to speakers, car kits have become a very popular MP3 player accessory. A car kit allows a MP3 player to be played through a car's stereo system. There are many car kit variations. Most car kits plug into the MP3 player's headphone jack, while others plug into the power supply. The car kit can connect the MP3 player to the car through the tape deck or wirelessly.   

what not tips  

• To get a taste of the fun and convenience of mp3 players, consider buying an Apple iPod Shuffle. You'll get the same excellent sound quality with none of the features of the top players. However, they're also available for a fraction of the price for the smallest 512mb size.
• If you get serious about listening to music on the go, you'll likely find the appeal of upgraded headphones. While the standard issue headphones will work just fine, to truly appreciate sound quality, we recommend spending some extra money on after market headphones.
  

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	Apple iPod 60gb / Nano	iRiver Clix	Creative Zen MicroPhoto
	Best in Class - The mother of all MP3 Players - Although it has a high price tag, the 60 GB Apple iPod offers the most storage space for your money. The Apple iPod line is the industry standard in MP3 players.	Serious Contender - If you don't need a lot of storage space, but don't want to sacrifice design or features, the 2 GB iRiver Clix is perfect for you. The flash drive makes it the perfect companion for a jog on the beach or working out in the gym.	Solid Alternative - Although it is a little lacking in its integration of photos and does not offer video support, the 8 GB Creative Zen MicroPhoto is a great MP3 player with many good features.
bottom line	An Apple iPod offers all the features you could want in an MP3 player. With a bright screen, easy navigation, and lots of accessories, the 60 GB Apple iPod is the perfect addition to your home or car stereo.	With the iRiver Clix, you can play music, view pictures, or watch videos on an attractive screen. The iRiver Clix features an intuitive interface and is packed with plenty of features.	The MicroPhoto offers ten different colors, good navigation, and a bright screen. This combination makes for a competitively priced, quality MP3 player.
price	$399	$199	$199
color	white or black	black	many color choices
capacity	60 gb (aprox. 15,000 songs)	2 gb (aprox. 500 songs)	8 gb (approx. 2,000 songs)
display	color	color	color
display size	2.5"	2.2"	1.6"
player size	4.1" x 2.4" x .55"	2.7" x 1.8" x .6"	2" x 3.3" x .7"
battery life	20 hours	25 hours	15 hours
storage type	hard drive	flash drive	micro hard drive
other features or comments	* Can also store up to 25,000 photos or 150 hours of video. * Click wheel makes navigation easy * Charges and syncs with computer via USB connection	* Built in digital FM tuner * Plays downloaded games * Integrated voice memo recorder * Alarm clock * Skip-free listening	* Customizable wallpaper and display colors * FM tuner & recorder * Voice memo recorder * Contacts list * Calendar
unique concerns	* Consumer can not replace battery themselves (will last a few years though) * Because of hard drive storage, you should use caution with extreme physical activity	* The display screen can quickly become cluttered with fingerprints. * Some consumers may find storage space to be inadequate.	* Small screen size * Battery life falls behind other top mp3 players