Can't decide...

H10 5GB and iPod 4GB

i river h10 all the way!

h10

mini.... iPods aren't the number 1 selling MP3 player for nothing. They obviously work.. Not to say that iRiver doesn't have a good player...

I say try them out yourself before even thinking of buying either of them. It is ALL personal preference.

The reason they are is marketing. Which iRiver has zero of that.

The H10 is a far superior product. Quality wise, and just overall. I have an iPod, and hate it. Itunes sucks, sure its great for people that don't know what they are doing, but most people now do.

cswadner...come on, kill the apple fanboyishm for a minute, please?

^ Well I don't know about you, but I have an iPod, and I love it. iTunes as well. Probably one of the greatest music library managers ever. And I know what I'm doing I can tell you that.

This isn't fanboyism, this is MY PREFERENCE.

Honestly it does come down to personal preference. And don't assume apple fanboy just because of my sig. I use my windows desktop (from which i am currently posting) just as much as my powerbook. I repair windows boxes all day long. There is no fanboy here. I could use the same arguement for your support for the H10.

iRiver H10 has a better screen, better sound quality, better battery life, not to mention that the battery's detachable.

iRiver H10 has features that are missing in iPod mini such as FM radio/recording and voice recording, and it will save you A LOT of money because you don't have to spend extra money on accessories.

I don't think it's really hard to make the choice.

I'm an iPod user; in fact, I have two iPods. However, that's only because I'm a Mac user and iPod is one of very few decent music players that are compatible with Mac. Two of my friends bought iRiver H10 based on my recommendation and they're very happy with the product without any problem.

It's sort of difficult to accuse somebody of being an iRiver fanboy, especially as it's not a trend. iPods are a trend, nothing more. Fanboyism is not only a term for the unwavering support of a person for a company/object, there's also a certain naivety and ignorance attributed to it. The average person buying a H10 would have clocked more time researching every aspect of it than somebody who has bought an iPod. For somebody to even know about the H10 itself requires far more research than someone who knows about the iPod.

iPods are very easy to use, and the software bundled with it probably has an age requirement of about 10. Again, as stated by GT, it's personal preference. If you like simplicity and jumping on the bandwagon (white earbuds anyone?) then you'd probably buy the iPod. If you technically superior music player, buy the H10.

I think I'm going to go with the H10. Thanks guys!

Nice one. I've got a H10 and i love it Good old drag and drop does the job for me (with easyh10).

Yes I can also see that my reference to the player brought happiness to the owners XD

It certainly did mate

iRiver H10 = Lousy

The iRiver is really buggy, even after firmware updates. Geez, it takes 8 seconds to power on / off. I bought one, and got a really good deal on it. Yet I still refunded it. A good looking product, but is not refined enough to be sold.

Apple iPod Mini = Nice.

I don't generally like iPods, but the iPod mini is pretty nice. I like the strong aluminum casing which gives it a good pro style.


You + Silver 6GB iPod Mini + B&O Earphones + iPod mini Dock = Very Good.

Bought an H10 when it first came out. It's kickass. Havn't had any problems with it except yes, it takes a little bit to turn off.


I recently bought the Creative Zen Micro and the PSP and they are both sweet.

iriver>ipod.

I own the 2gen of mini (6gb)
a beast!
I saw the iriver and didnt like it
matter of preference and taste

iRiver h10, more storage and has better sound.

I just got my 5gb h10 in the mail and as a previous owner of a 4th gen iPod, I can honestly say the the H10 kicks the iPod's ass. I could not be any more happier with my purchase

I own a second gen iPod mini (4Gb). Though I haven't personally seen the iRiver, I'm quite pleased with my purchase.

Battery life, sound and especially the controls are all good.

iRiver players have been way ahead of Apple for quality, performance and value for money for the past 2-3 years.

Those that do the research and forget what they look like and what is "cool", will buy an iRiver.

When I bought my first iRiver over 2 years ago, I compared them, here's my results:

iRiver IHP-140 vs iPod 40GB

Reasons for iRiver
==================
1. It's a standard 40GB hard drive, no software required.
(MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME)
2. It does NOT require a computer, can create MP3's straight from a Hi-Fi etc
Directly via optic, or analog input (also has digital optic out)
3. It has encoders built in.
4. Supports MP3 (MPEG 1/2/2.5 Layer 3)
WMA, ASF, WAV & OGG Vorbis (32Kbps ~ 500Kbps, 44.1KHz)
5. FM radio remote with LCD (supplied free)
6. Twice as much battery playback time compared to iPod
(iRiver is 16hrs, iPod is 8hrs)
7. Lighter (172g vs iPod 175g) ()
8. Voice recording to MP3 etc (via internal mic), or record FM
9. Reads all types of ID3 tags, V1. V2.0, 3.0 & 4.0.
(I CANNOT find documentation for iPod, but it doesn't do all versions)
10. Magnesium case.
11. NO DRM restrictions whatsoever

Reasons against
===============
1. No Firewire (although this does not bother me)
2. iPod is slightly smaller
iPod : 60.9(W) X 18.5(D) X 104(H)mm
iRiver: 60.0(W) X 24.0(D) X 105(H)mm
3. No docking station

I honestly can't find any other reasons against the iRiver it looks that much better!

----
iRiver claim s/n ratio is better than iPod, but they also say since Apple will
NOT release official s/n figures they can not show their results for legal reasons.


Now, obviously both those models have moved on and the mini ipod vs H10 will differ, but most of those features above still compare.

Yeah!

iRiver has better features, longer battery life, supports more formats, is lighter, no DRM.

... Buy the iPod!

iriver all the way

I do feel VERY sorry for Apple users and the whole DRM thing they're locked too.

That reason in itself was enough for me to look at iRiver players, I refuse to touch iTunes and anything to do with DRM.

Also,
Why do people pay so much for music on iTunes when you can buy it for less than half the price at places like allofmp3.com without DRM!

I think the H10 is just a better mp3 player,and btw you can also buy a creative zen micro.

What's your point? iRiver players play DRM WMA do they not?

iPod users can use allofmp3 as well you know. We're not just locked into itms and drm. There are other legal ways of getting music.

H10 6gb. 5gb is discontinued.

iPod mini. Period.

dL

No? iPod mini has 18 hours of battery life now, but tests show it can go about 21-22 hours (continuous playback).

dL

iriver:)

Alright. Real constructive and helpful fanboy


21-22 hours using MP3s @ 16000Hz mono 8kbps right?


Anyways I went from my cd player to my MP4 iRiver PMP-120 and Im more than happy. Its like going from Mazda to Ferrari. I highly recommend iRiver's products over Apple's. Alot better support alot better community and great customer support. My glass cracked on my PMP-120 and Im getting a replacment. Ill do a review of it ASAP when I get it back.

iRiver H10's battery is dettachable, and you can get as many batteries as you want.

32 hours, 48hours, 72 hours.... the battery life can be as long as how much you're willing to spend money.

i'm the same position now - my "old" 30gb creative zen player is on its last legs, and i'm thinking of using it has a third hd for my music and getting a mini mp3 player.

researching it, the iriver h10 seems to kick the ipod mini's ass.

Ok, I was about to get the iRiver, but I acquired a 4g 20gb iPod for $150, brand new, sealed. You can't go wrong for that price.

Would you really use the extra feautres of the iRiver? If you actually would, by all means, go and buy it. But I've had my iPod mini (First gen) for 8 months now, and it's been perfect, I love it!

I probably would have, but like I said, $150 new 4g 20gb iPod is a much better deal.

Yeah, i would have bought a iriver H10 instead of an iPod mini. But that was a better deal

I had the H10, only bought it because everyone else had an iPod mini.


It's a great piece of hardware, I recently bought the Creative Zen Micro, which does wonders for me.

I'd say H10 over iPod. More features, better software, and stylish.

You could also go for the Creative Zen Micro.

meh, i ended up buying a 6gb ipod mini over the h10; i played about with both in a shop first of all - and although the iriver was nice; i dont think i'd use all the features on it, the colour screen actually put me off getting it.

i like things uncluttered and the ipod mini was just so...nice, plus the click wheel really did it for me.

in my defence, i KNOW theres better players out there, but the ipod mini was the best one for my needs; therefore i'm not an ipod basher nor lover.