Creative Zen 4 GB - the Joy of Simplicity (Creative Zen 4 GB)

Member Name: Lauramai26

Product:	Creative Zen 4 GB
Date:	22/10/08 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredibly easy to use, nice additional features, cheaper than the competition

Disadvantages: Battery life, syncing issue

I've used this player for around 6 months now and on the whole consider it great value for money - especially if bought at the knock-down prices available on Amazon.

It's dimunitive size (around that of a credit card) is a real plus given my full-to-bursting handbag! Its incredibly simple to use with a smooth on-screen display which you are able to customise with colour-schemes and photos. The player also stores photos and videos and can be sync-d to the computer to act as a personal organiser (although given that this cannot be changed on the move, it is debatable how useful/practical this feature is.
One of the most ingenious features is the memory card slot - allowing you to increase the capacity of your player at a later date without forking out for a whole new player.

A few words of warning however, beware the battery life - mine has definitely reduced, despite following all the correct charging instructions, and it is rather infuriating to use the Zen with a laptop as, when they are left alone for a time they power down for sleep-mode, meaning that the Zen, which has to be left for a few hours to fully charge, does not do so. I have always ended up charging mine from work's desk-top computer. The only other issue I've had was a confusing one - I updated my version of Windows Media Player, at which point the computer stopped recognising the Zen, with the result that it could charge, but I could not change any of the data - music, photos, videos - held on it. The solution, however, was straight-forward as I simply had to reinstall the drivers for the Zen and all was well again. I found the solution using the Zen's online help-guide, so that sort of practical, usable online troubleshooter is a big plus.

All in all I think the Zen is a brilliant buy if you, like me, wish to avoid paying for the branding on a Ipod Nano. Easy to use, easy to fix, looks good and, with the right headphones/speakers, sounds good too!

Summary: Real value for money

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