Neowin Forums > Zen Micro 5GB Player -- Should I purchase it?

nX07

Apr 5 2005, 01:26

Well, here is my situation..
I currently have a MiniDisk Player (NZ-S1 I think its called, the sports one) and I like it.. however, I HATE the process of getting music onto the player! Let alone not being able to actually transfer music BACK to the computer (Without a very complicated process that requires extra accessories..)

Every time I want to put a song on my MiniDisk, I need to convert to ATRAC3, Then Transfer using SonicStage (The ONLY application that will transfer music to the MiniDisk, aside from real player

, of which still requires the SonicStage files)..

I am looking for something more practial, more easier to use, and more size as well. I found that the Zen Micro fits my needs perfectly. I use WMP10, so thats great as I can use that to transfer music back AND fourth!; I use MS Outlook for my contacts/calanadar, and to be able to sync that up is great! I'd like to have radio wherever I go, and I enjoy some of the radio's exclusive mixes, so recording then transferring would be great to have! -- And aside from all that, I have a 128MB thumbdrive, but with this I can use it as a thumbdrive as well, up to any size I want (not exceed 5gb tho of course

)..

However, I will only use the Zen during regular days such as school/work, walking/biking, etc.. -- The only time I will use my MiniDisk AFTER the purchase would be during like snowboarding or other rough things that might cause damage to the Zen. Im not worried about that w/ the MD tho as it is in a Metal body.

Anyway.. Should I buy, yey/ney?
I have 3500$ to spend, but im really trying to prevent ANY spending at all as
A) No job a.t.m
B) Want to buy a car in October/November..

It would come to aprx. 320$ or so Canadian after all the taxes and stuff I need to pay. Should I do it?

Edit:
I appoligize moderators, I didnt notice the Personal Media section.

Brandon Live

Apr 5 2005, 03:29

I absolutely love mine. Great purchase. Can't wait for the final MTP firmware to come out (and I hope, for other users sake, that they start shipping with it from the factory very soon).

Not that Creative's software is terrible or anything. But WMP10 + MTP device is the only thing that beats the simplicity and power of the iPod + iTunes combo. Although, at least with most MTP/PlaysForSure devices - you can choose to use most any media player you want.

I have mine set up to sync anything that I've rated at 4 or 5 stars. It also syncs a bunch of custom autoplaylists including the Podcasts that I listen to (like Adam Curry, Chris Pirillio, Dot Net Rocks, etc).

I haven't used the Outlook sync (I have a good PDA/Smartphone so no need), so I can't comment there.

My Zen Micro lives in my jacket's inside pocket most of the time. I use it whenever I'm waiting somewhere, going for a walk/run, at the gym, on the plane, etc. I would use it in my car if I didn't already have a more effective custom solution there (ie car-computer).

I've also owned an iPod, iRiver iHP-120, and Rio Carbon. The iPod was revolutionary, but I eventually became wary of the poor battery life and lack of WMA support. The iRiver was kind of a love/hate thing. I hated the boot-up time, something the iPod never had unless it went completely off (usually it goes into "standby" like the Zen Micro). The features and option on the iRiver were great, but it was ever so slightly larger than my (original model) iPod - and the interface wasn't as clean and quick. A very good device, but there were days when I missed the iPod. Oh, and the iRiver didn't charge over USB.

When I first saw the iPod Mini I thought it was ugly. The exceedingly "long" shape puts me off, as well as the ugly selection of colors. And I knew it would have the same problems as the iPod (WMA support, battery, random lock-ups, iTunes requirement).

When I saw the Carbon I fell in love. It just looked so gorgeous and felt so great in my hand and was invisible in my pocket. I do slightly prefer its shape over the Zen. And the Carbon had great features, a truly amazing battery (that once lasted me almost 24 hours of playing on one charge).

But two things bugged me:

Boot-up time - shorter than the iRiver, but still there. 5-10 seconds may not sound like a lot, but it feels like an eternity when you want to listen to something.

The interface navigation was good (better than the iRiver even), but not perfect.

So I was drawn to the Zen Micro because it offered pretty much everything the Carbon did (small size, good battery, WMA and MP3 support, charges via USB) - and more. It has no start-up time (unless it isn't used for a long time and turns completely off - like the iPod. Except the Zen's boot-up even then is still much faster than any other device I've used), it has a built-in radio with recording capability, it supports PlaysForSure and subscriptions (something I've considered trying out) and the interface just works.

After a few days with it I could easily navigate around just as quickly as I could on my iPod.

And the sync'ing with the PlaysForSure firmware is a dream.

With the new lower prices (and 4/5/6GB option), I think it's clearly the player to get. The Carbon would be my second choice, the iRiver H10 third, and the iPod Mini fourth. In the Large player market, the regular iPod is still the useability king - unless you rely on WMA (like me) or hate iTunes (me again). I haven't used the Zen Micro's big brother, the Zen Touch - so that is probably the best contender there. I would look at that or the new iRivers if buying a new player. But I hope Creative will make a new-gen using what they've learned from the Zen Micro - and give it a color screen and big drives. Then they could really start putting the heat on Apple.

nX07

Apr 5 2005, 13:21

Should I wait for the Zen Micro photo to come out? -- I suspect when it does arrive in june, the regular one will drop in price? Im just not sure how much it would drop?

If its only going to drop like 20/30$ or so I dont really mind buying now..

Much thanks for that in-depth reply!
I appericate it!

Have a good day'
- Nathan B.

noping

Apr 5 2005, 13:34

Believe me, after about a month it will just sit there and collect dust, you will only use it like once a week. So please dont waist money, it will not change anything.

I bought the zen touch, used for 2 weeks, didnt like it and bought ipod 20,,, after about 3 weeks, just seemed like it was not worth 300$ for something I used 1 or twice a week, I could live without it.

If you want buy one frm BestBuy, play with it for a few weeks and return it. You wont crave it anymore and save your money aswell..

nX07

Apr 5 2005, 15:08

True, however I am a music nut, I bring my MiniDisk with me everywhere a.t.m, even if it's annoying.

However, I might be getting your message wrong. Do you mean I shouldnt get this player due to the fact that I have a MiniDisk, or do you mean I shouldnt get the player as you find music players to be a bad investment?

nX07

Apr 6 2005, 03:26

QUOTE(nX07 @ Apr 5 2005, 09:21)

Should I wait for the Zen Micro photo to come out? -- I suspect when it does arrive in june, the regular one will drop in price? Im just not sure how much it would drop?

If its only going to drop like 20/30$ or so I dont really mind buying now..

Much thanks for that in-depth reply!
I appericate it!

Have a good day'
- Nathan B.
[right][snapback]585729538[/snapback][/right]

Drone

Apr 8 2005, 15:19

Personally I love my Micro. I got it for about £118 new online and I could never go back to using my NetMD. The difference between loading the NetMD and the Zen couldn't be further apart.

I'm using the non-MTP firmware at the mo and the creative software. A case of selecting the music you want and letting it transfer.

Great stuff.

Monkeh

Apr 8 2005, 20:40

A new car??? You've noticed the latest surge in oil prices and futures haven't you? O__O

The Zen Micro sounds like a better idea than a new car... lol

snips

Apr 23 2005, 03:03

QUOTE(threedaysdwn @ Apr 4 2005, 20:29)

I absolutely love mine. Great purchase. Can't wait for the final MTP firmware to come out (and I hope, for other users sake, that they start shipping with it from the factory very soon).

Not that Creative's software is terrible or anything. But WMP10 + MTP device is the only thing that beats the simplicity and power of the iPod + iTunes combo. Although, at least with most MTP/PlaysForSure devices - you can choose to use most any media player you want.

I have mine set up to sync anything that I've rated at 4 or 5 stars. It also syncs a bunch of custom autoplaylists including the Podcasts that I listen to (like Adam Curry, Chris Pirillio, Dot Net Rocks, etc).

I haven't used the Outlook sync (I have a good PDA/Smartphone so no need), so I can't comment there.

My Zen Micro lives in my jacket's inside pocket most of the time. I use it whenever I'm waiting somewhere, going for a walk/run, at the gym, on the plane, etc. I would use it in my car if I didn't already have a more effective custom solution there (ie car-computer).

I've also owned an iPod, iRiver iHP-120, and Rio Carbon. The iPod was revolutionary, but I eventually became wary of the poor battery life and lack of WMA support. The iRiver was kind of a love/hate thing. I hated the boot-up time, something the iPod never had unless it went completely off (usually it goes into "standby" like the Zen Micro). The features and option on the iRiver were great, but it was ever so slightly larger than my (original model) iPod - and the interface wasn't as clean and quick. A very good device, but there were days when I missed the iPod. Oh, and the iRiver didn't charge over USB.

When I first saw the iPod Mini I thought it was ugly. The exceedingly "long" shape puts me off, as well as the ugly selection of colors. And I knew it would have the same problems as the iPod (WMA support, battery, random lock-ups, iTunes requirement).

When I saw the Carbon I fell in love. It just looked so gorgeous and felt so great in my hand and was invisible in my pocket. I do slightly prefer its shape over the Zen. And the Carbon had great features, a truly amazing battery (that once lasted me almost 24 hours of playing on one charge).

But two things bugged me:

Boot-up time - shorter than the iRiver, but still there. 5-10 seconds may not sound like a lot, but it feels like an eternity when you want to listen to something.

The interface navigation was good (better than the iRiver even), but not perfect.

So I was drawn to the Zen Micro because it offered pretty much everything the Carbon did (small size, good battery, WMA and MP3 support, charges via USB) - and more. It has no start-up time (unless it isn't used for a long time and turns completely off - like the iPod. Except the Zen's boot-up even then is still much faster than any other device I've used), it has a built-in radio with recording capability, it supports PlaysForSure and subscriptions (something I've considered trying out) and the interface just works.

After a few days with it I could easily navigate around just as quickly as I could on my iPod.

And the sync'ing with the PlaysForSure firmware is a dream.

With the new lower prices (and 4/5/6GB option), I think it's clearly the player to get. The Carbon would be my second choice, the iRiver H10 third, and the iPod Mini fourth. In the Large player market, the regular iPod is still the useability king - unless you rely on WMA (like me) or hate iTunes (me again). I haven't used the Zen Micro's big brother, the Zen Touch - so that is probably the best contender there. I would look at that or the new iRivers if buying a new player. But I hope Creative will make a new-gen using what they've learned from the Zen Micro - and give it a color screen and big drives. Then they could really start putting the heat on Apple.
[right][snapback]585728079[/snapback][/right]

Thanks for that write up man. I plan on buying a Zen Micro pretty soon and that write up basically answered all my questions. Now I just have to pick which color I want.

Evolution

Apr 23 2005, 04:38

QUOTE(noping @ Apr 5 2005, 08:34)

Believe me, after about a month it will just sit there and collect dust, you will only use it like once a week. So please dont waist money, it will not change anything.

I bought the zen touch, used for 2 weeks, didnt like it and bought ipod 20,,, after about 3 weeks, just seemed like it was not worth 300$ for something I used 1 or twice a week, I could live without it.

If you want buy one frm BestBuy, play with it for a few weeks and return it. You wont crave it anymore and save your money aswell..
[right][snapback]585729575[/snapback][/right]

That's not really a fair thing to say.... as it's not true for everyone.

For people who like to listen to music, this is a great thing! You'll be able to listen to the music while exercising, plus any other times (i.e. trips, waiting, etc.)