| Choosing to buy the right MP3 player isn't | | | | player.* Mind your power options. While some |
| that difficult, but one player does not fit | | | | portable players use replaceable alkaline |
| all. People will want different things from | | | | batteries, many feature a built-in |
| their players. MP3 CD players represent the | | | | rechargeable battery that cannot be easily |
| best value: Most retail for less than $200, | | | | removed. While these devices can keep going |
| and additional blank discs are cheap.* Think | | | | for tens of hours, if you're not going to be |
| about how you'll use the player. Joggers will | | | | somewhere near a power outlet or a computer |
| almost certainly want a lightweight, | | | | with a USB port, you might find yourself out |
| flash-memory-based device, since hard drives | | | | of juice with no way to charge the player.* |
| don't react well to the shock of bouncing | | | | Check the prices for extra storage. If you're |
| around all the time; audio aficionados who | | | | considering a player that uses one of the |
| want lots of music at their fingertips should | | | | major memory card formats (Secure Digital, |
| keep their eyes on the highest-capacity | | | | SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, or Memory Stick) |
| hard-drive models.* Try your favorite before | | | | to store music files, factor the price for an |
| taking it home. Make sure you can use the | | | | extra or replacement memory card into the |
| on-screen display to navigate to a specific | | | | cost of the player.* Look for wide file |
| song, and ask a clerk to show you how to | | | | format support. While this isn't a necessity, |
| transfer music to the device, if possible. | | | | players that support music files in the MP3, |
| Always bring your own set of headphones to | | | | WMA (Windows Media Audio), and OGG formats |
| listen to the sound quality of each unit | | | | give you more listening options than players |
| you're interested in. If you plan to test | | | | that support just one or two of those |
| CD-based MP3 players, bring your own disc. | | | | formats.* Consider a player with an FM tuner. |
| | | | This feature isn't essential, but it's a nice |
| * Get the largest-capacity device you can | | | | addition--especially if you grow tired of |
| afford. Whether you buy a flash- or | | | | your own music.* Do you need a carrying case? |
| hard-drive-based MP3 player, make sure to | | | | The more expensive and more fragile the |
| choose a model with the largest storage | | | | player (hard-drive devices are the most |
| capacity possible. Even if you don't think | | | | delicate), the more likely you'll want a |
| you'll need it now, you will probably be | | | | custom-fitted case to protect it. If you plan |
| happy to have it later.* Pay close attention | | | | to carry your player with you wherever you |
| to the user interface. The simplest-to-use | | | | go, consider investing in both a fitted cover |
| MP3 players use a Windows Explorer-like file | | | | and a rugged carrying case that can also hold |
| and folder interface to organize music on the | | | | headphones, a USB cable, and/or spare |
| player. While some players require you to use | | | | batteries.* Shop around, online and offline. |
| their software to pick the play order before | | | | MP3 players are widely available in almost |
| loading music files, other players let you | | | | every consumer electronics outlet, and their |
| rearrange the songs once the music is in the | | | | prices fluctuate. |