[k2man]

I need to find an MP3 player that works with my Mac through USB. I also need it to be failr small and light, and have either a belt clip or arm band, because I use it for running workouts.

Any suggestions? I am aware of the Nike Mp3 player, but don't want it due to 1) high price and 2) lack of a Random play feature (how stupid).

Any others come to mind? A Rio maybe? Something else? Again, remember the belt clip/arm band requirement!

Thanks. Any help appreciated....

[TheBum]

Originally posted by k2man:
<STRONG>I need to find an MP3 player that works with my Mac through USB. I also need it to be failr small and light, and have either a belt clip or arm band, because I use it for running workouts.

Any suggestions? I am aware of the Nike Mp3 player, but don't want it due to 1) high price and 2) lack of a Random play feature (how stupid).

Any others come to mind? A Rio maybe? Something else? Again, remember the belt clip/arm band requirement!

Thanks. Any help appreciated....</STRONG>

I just bought the Rio One last weekend at Best Buy for $90 after a 10% grand opening discount. It interfaces with the Mac through both the Classic and OS X versions of iTunes. It's very light and compact and has a plastic clip on it, probably suitable for clipping on an arm band. It only comes with 32MB of flash memory, but it takes standard SmartMedia cards (although, nowhere on the box or in the enclosed materials does it say that; I had to go to their web site). I bought a 128MB SmartMedia card at Fry's for $65, so I have a total of 160MB of memory, which will hold almost 2 hours of music at iTune's High Quality import setting (192 kbps).

All in all, I think it was a worthwhile purchase for my purposes.

Hope this helps.

[dfbennett]

I've got a Nomad II and I'm very happy with it. It's got no built in Memory(although some versions of the Nomad II do have built in memory) so it uses smart media. It has one slot and with the latest firmware upgrade it can support 128mb Smart Media. I've got 64 and am finding that that is enough for me in most instances. Works great with iTunes in X and 9.2. It also has an FM tuner which is handy, and a little wired remote control. I find that very handy as I keep it in a case inside my book bag on my way to class but with the remote I can still control the unit without having to take it out of the relative security of my bag. The nomad ii mg is nice too but it's very small and very expensive.

[k2man]

Thanks for the advice, I ended up getting the Rio I and am enjoying it fine. Got the 64 meg smart card, so I have 96 megs total, it's light, it's got a betl clip, and it works with Itunes no problem. I'm happy...