Speaking of MP3 players...

[AlamoSpursFan]

I don't have one. Nor do I plan anytime soon on getting one. The only time I listen to music, I'm either in the house or in my car (and the new Sony with Windows Media Audio playback I recently installed is the greatest thing since pants with pockets, I might add).

However, Little ASF has her heart set on one for her upcoming birthday (because everyone else she knows has one don't cha know...).

Suggestions on one I could buy her that would be relatively cheap, but would stand up to the wear and tear of a soon-to-be 8-year-old?

[PM5K]

My son is eight as well and owns a few expensive electronics for example a PSP.

At that age they should be perfectly capable of taking care of things, at least I expect my children to be and have shown them how, but it doesn't hurt to buy a screen protector and a case...

I really just think that since the iPod is so popular it's the gadget to buy. If you go to any local store, like a Target you'll see tons of stuff for iPods, but not much for other players (accessories)...

Maybe a Shuffle would be a good start, or a Nano (used or new)...

[SpursWoman]

Everyone has their own preferences, but I had an ipod and I hated it ... so I got this little iriver and I love it. It has a clock/FM radio and a voice/radio recorder on it. And I use it constantly....and it runs on one little AA alkaline battery that lasts a long time, so you don't have to screw with the built-in ones the ipods have that also have to be charged.



And both of my kids have one, too. IMO, it's a lot more younger-kid-finger-friendly than an ipod.

[CharlieMac]

I'd start off with a DJ Ditty from Dell. They're a little under a hundred bucks and take a pounding. The The Shuffle would be good, but for the same price I'd rather have something with a screen to be able to read what is playing.

[AlamoSpursFan]

I've never even shopped for one...I assume I could get something like that at Best Buy?

[dougp]

You can also consider getting her one of the Creative MuVos ... I've had my for a long time, and it's gone through quite a bit and still works wonderfully.

[PM5K]

I think you'd get the Ditty from Dell..

[SpursWoman]

I've never even shopped for one...I assume I could get something like that at Best Buy?

Yes....they have a lot of different models.

[ChumpDumper]

You can also consider getting her one of the Creative MuVos ... I've had my for a long time, and it's gone through quite a bit and still works wonderfully.

The MuVo might be nice for for a kid because there are no little cables to lose. The fact it only has like three controls on it may or may not be confusing.

[DirkAB]

I'd start off with a DJ Ditty from Dell. They're a little under a hundred bucks and take a pounding. The The Shuffle would be good, but for the same price I'd rather have something with a screen to be able to read what is playing.

I agree, the Ditty has pleanty of features for less money, that would probably be my pick.

[J.T.]

I heard these are making a comeback

[Marklar MM]

[leemajors]

you can get a refurb 1GB Shuffle for $79 off the apple store. no screen to be broken.

[AlamoSpursFan]

yeah! I can get her the whole Rappin' Rodney outfit to go with it...

[CharlieMac]

The MuVo might be nice for for a kid because there are no little cables to lose. The fact it only has like three controls on it may or may not be confusing.

I actually bought one of those for my nephew last Christmas. It still works. He's 8. That should say enough about how sturdy that is. Suprisingly good sound too.

[cheguevara]

I got an ipod as a gift but its FRAGILE. if you breathe too hard it breaks.

Before that I had a Creative NOMAD, that was bulletproof. Went through everything and still works like the 1st day.

[cheguevara]

One thing about MP3 players, I put in so many songs that it's impossible to find some or create good playlists. My Creative NOMAD software sucked at that and Apple's software Itunes sucks ass(I really, really hate it)

Whats the Mp3 player with the best software for playlists,etc,etc?

[leemajors]

One thing about MP3 players, I put in so many songs that it's impossible to find some or create good playlists. My Creative NOMAD software sucked at that and Apple's software Itunes sucks ass(I really, really hate it)

Whats the Mp3 player with the best software for playlists,etc,etc?

probably winamp. winamp now works with iPods too i think

[leemajors]

I got an ipod as a gift but its FRAGILE. if you breathe too hard it breaks.

Before that I had a Creative NOMAD, that was bulletproof. Went through everything and still works like the 1st day.

bull . iPods are not that fragile. i have seen one thrown at a corner of a desk and it barely got dented. no portable music device is made to be thrown around.

[cherylsteele]

[ShoogarBear]

I got my niece something which was essentially a USB thumb drive that you could plus a head set in, but could also be used as a regular thumb drive. Much cheaper than an iPod, maybe $100. I can't remember who made it or what it was called, maybe that was a MuVo?

[Marklar MM]

I got an ipod as a gift but its FRAGILE. if you breathe too hard it breaks.

Really. I dropped mine so many times, and it still worked. The only thing that happened was the battery eventually ted on me, but that happens with those batteries after so many recharges. So I gave it to my sister and got a new one.

[lilmads]

Still love my iPod..
But for a younger kid I'd suggest a less complicated mp3 player

[ChumpDumper]

I don't know if anyone still needs a player but Dell has its 512MB DJ Ditty on sale today for $39.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/s...=19&l=en&s=dhs

If you want to pick up a flash player in a store, Office Depot has a 1GB Creative Zen player for $49 but you have to send in for a $20 rebate. Not available online.

[ducks]

get an ipod if you can afford it
if not do nto

and getting a small copy cat for a $100 is a waste of time
tell her that if she is willing to wait for christmas and not get a birthday gift she can get the cool ipod then