Creative Zen - more pros than cons (Creative Zen 16 GB)

Member Name: christiiiiie

Product:	Creative Zen 16 GB
Date:	05/06/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent range of features, sleek

Disadvantages: battery, headphones

The Creative Zen - somewhat less popular than an Apple ipod - is, I think, a sleek, attractive MP3. 16GB is a decent size memory - double an 8GB but not double the price. It also has the added bonus of a memory card slot for extra memory if you wish it. The display is large and clear, with good features of being able to change the background colour, or uploading a photo for it. Not only does it play music, you can listen to the radio, watch films, set an alarm, fill in your calendar, look at your photos and record sound with astonishing clarity. Creating playlists can be done on the player whilst on t he move, or slightly more easily on the computer. The 'shortcut' button can be set to your preference - for example to play your favourite album when pressed. The 'DJ' feature has several options including playing your least heard songs, or your most heard. A 'lock' button on the side means you can have it in your pocket without fear of switching songs. Movies can be put on the Zen, and if it is not the correct file size, the software that comes with your player will convert it for you (although this is time consuming if it is a feature length film).
Down sides are that it cannot be used on a Mac, there are several buttons - perhaps more than necessary if compared to an ipod - but easy to get the hang of. Battery life is not that long if you do more than just leave it to play, and can only be charged by computer, which is a pain if you do not go on often, although you can buy a plug charger for extra. I found that the headphones break near the plug after a few months with everyday usage - not that sturdy. Also, if in a noisy environment the volume doesn't go as loud as I would like, but perhaps that is a good feature to stop damaging my ears! There is a common problem that Zens freeze, but this can be easily rectified often by pressing the reset button, and the Creative website also has a useful help section.

Summary: Thumbs up. The brilliance and range of features and it's look mean I'd rather have one than an ipod!

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