I'm finally thinking about getting an mp3 player. I don't want to buy music, or subscribe to any service, just want to load music files on it and be able to find and play them.

Capacity? I guess "average", since I don't have a better guess. I would prefer a flashcard based storage rather than a HDD. I'm running WinXP at home.

Any recommendations? (TIA)

Upgrade your cell phone to one that has MP3 capabilities. No reason to spend money on 2 devices.

Apple ipod

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-player-reviews/?tag=mncol;srt&sort=edRating7+desc 

I have an iPod. I like it.

I used to love it, until I had to switch it to a new laptop.

Too mother effing proprietary, if you ask me. Either that, or I'm just too stupid to figure it out.

My guess would be a little of both.

If you want the same properties as in iPod but not the price, try a Zune. Good quality but cheaper in cost and works better with Windows computers than iPods.

I'm the ultimate cheap ****. I squeak when I walk. I would have NEVER spent the $$$ on an Ipod Touch. My wife got me one. I use it to surf the web. It has become indespensible. I would gave never believed it. They're coming down in price as well as gaining more and more applications. You owe it to youself to give it a try.

Apple Ipod Nano is a good buy.....I have an Itouch but it was a gift from a great buddy.....oh Julian!!!!

the nano is a good buy and will also film stuff for you.

16GB will hold way more than you need, so you might try 8 gb

Charlie

Thanks.

And all of these devices will play my files, with no subscription to any service required?

Get an iPod. You manage your music with iTunes, but it doesn't require any subscription and you don't have to buy songs there if you don't want to.

Functional. Cool. The Best.

J

I have a 16gb iTouch and I love the gaddam thing. I wish I had an iPhone so I could have everything rolled into one device, but it works well enough. Plus, there are TONS of apps that my 3 year old son loves. If we're at the store, doctor's office, or in-law's place, he'll take the iTouch and go to town. He knows how to swipe through all the photos and everything.

Plus, it has built in Wi-Fi, which comes in handy for updating apps and checking weather.

Get the iTouch.

Thanks guys, this helps a lot. I'll tell "Santa".

Zune is way better than apple. I have 2 or each in this family. the zunes kick apple ass

coda - I just bought an 8gb iPod Touch. I found this website for the best prices. They're used, but rated in 3 categories; fair,good and excellent. I bought an excellent for $135. It arrived and looked like a brand new one. The package didn't include headphones but you can buy good ones anywhere for $10. Ipod Nanos are even cheaper.

http://www.greatipodexchange.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/31947 

ZUNE

I was amazed at the quality of sound that came out of my blackberry... not sure how much storage is there but it's real easy to link to the PC...