On Tue, Jun 8, 2010 at 10:25, Darksyde <m_alexander61@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Preferences (no particular order):
> Rich sound,
Anything over the super cheap ones should give good sound quality, but
rich sound depends more, IMO on the quality of recording and the
quality of the headphones. Even the best player on the market will
sound like crap with bad headphones.
> FM radio,
Not sure, but seems like most of the mid-range ones these days come
with built in FM/AM tuners (or FM at least).
> Linux-friendly (Ubu or Deb),
They're all that way, AFAIK. Even the iPod can be used via Rhythmbox
(though you can't use it with BOTH Rhythmbox and iTunes)
> replaceable battery (AAA) or non-USB chargeable (Dad doesn't own a computer)
What's wrong with USB rechargeable? You can get power bricks that
charge USB devices if the one you have didn't come with a power brick
to begin with... plus that leaves room for expansion later on if Dad
A: DOES get a computer, or B: gets a car stereo with USB input, or C:
decides to give it to the grand kids one day when he upgrades or just
doesn't want it anymore.
> not manufactured in China,
You're going to have a hard time finding one that's not made in China,
Taiwan, Japan, or Mexico... Unless this is just a boycott Chinese
goods thing, then you should be able to find plenty made in other
places...
> ease of operation(!).
I'm assuming your dad is older, you may also want to consider things
that have larger displays as well.
> Tall order, eh?
Not that tall... but yeah, certainly spefici! :)
> I'll be loading the tunes for him on my laptop so it will need to sync w/ Amarok, Rhythmbox or similar.
I think most all of them will do this... IIRC, they are just treated
as storage devices, no magic (unlike the iPod) so you just dump files
on them, and play. One with SDHC support may be a good idea too, that
way you can just give him a SD card full of tunes...
FWIW, while I've never owned one myself, I've had several friends who
have bought various versions of the Zen (made by Creative) and have
been happy with them. The Sansa ones we just buy for the kids as they
are cheap and easily broken. The Creative Zen feels pretty well built
(but it's probably built in China).
Cheers
jeff
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