USA TODAY buyers guide

With an abundance of MP3 players that have come out over the course of the year, buying the right player as a gift can be tricky. USA TODAY's Kim Komando has assembled a list of this year's most wanted multimedia players, with offerings from Apple, SanDisk, Microsoft and Archos. First on the list is Apple's iPod touch, with its large, bright touchscreen and up to 16GB of storage. WiFi allows users to browse the internet and purchase music – something that the others either don't do, or require additional subscriptions or components in order to have that functionality. Komando laments the lack of access to subscription-based music services. The Touch sells for $300 for the 8GB model, and $400 for the 16GB model.

Komando briefly highlights the 80GB ($250) and 160GB ($350) iPod classic for users that require a lot of drive space, and the iPod Nano ($150 - $200) for users that are concerned with a large bulky device.

The Microsoft Zune comes in a variety of models, a 4GB ($150), 8GB ($200) and 80GB ($250), and are completely based on flash memory – Apple's iPod classic is the last remaining iPod to use a miniature hard drive as its storage medium. Komando says that although the Zune's screen is smaller than that of the iPod touch, it is still very clear and bright, putting the device ahead of many third party players. While the Zune does have WiFi built in, it is limited to synchronizing with a computer and sharing song libraries with other Zune users. Like the Touch, the Zune can also view videos and photo, in addition to music.

SanDisk's Sansa Connect ($150) features 4GB of storage, which can be expanded upon through the use of MicroSD cards. The 2.2-inch screen is a downside for those who wish to use it frequently for video. The WiFi in the Sansa Connect allows users to connect to Flickr and LaunchCast internet radio, and can download music from Yahoo's Music Unlimited service.

Archos' 605 WiFi rounds out Komando's list, offering a 4GB, 30GB, 80GB, and 160GB version, which range from $200 to $400. The device has a 4.3-inch touchscreen and side buttons to control its various functions. As the name states, the 605 can use WiFi, allowing the device to stream shared media from a computer, and download music and videos from the Archos Content Portal. Web browsing requires a $30 plugin from Archos, however. The 605 WiFi plays a large variety of music formats and subscription sites, and can display images, video and PDF files. An optional $100 DVR station allows users to record television onto the Archos 605.

Apple's iPod touch


Microsoft's Zune


SanDisk's Sansa Connect


Archos' 605 WiFi

By Electronista Staff