My new non-iPod

My son has a 30GB iPod that he bought a year or so ago used via eBay. We splurged a bit and Shirley received a 4GB iPod Nano as a Christmas gift (we both talked about this a couple of months ago, so the expenditure and the 'gift' were no surprise). Well, I'd been getting frustrated with the l-o-n-g time that it took each time I wanted to burn an mp3 to one of my Sony mini-disks, so a couple of weeks ago I spent US$60 (after rebate) on a 1GB Trio MP3 player from Mach Speed Technologies. One of my brothers (thanks Mike!) had told me about these, and I decided that $60 was not too much to blow for the vastly better transfer time from PC to mp3 player (vs burning files to the mini-disks).

The small size of the player is wonderful, the USB connection makes transferring files quick and easy, and, um, let's see, um, ...it didn't cost too much. To be fair, the 'manual' sucks, and the user 'interface' is terrible. After seeing Ben's iPod and now Shirley's Nano, I can see that Apple deserves the success of the iPods. Just as with the Mac, Apple has provided a wonderful user interface on the iPods. Not so with the Trio. The Trio is definitely the low-budget solution. I claim sometimes to have learned long ago that it is best to "buy the best and cry once".

I suspect that by this time next year I'll have purchased an iPod.

Comments

[Dr. Lavine]

I have two - one that is virtually identical to yours (256MB) for Karen, and I use the other one (512MB).

Who needs to have gigabytes of tunes immediately available, when it's so easy to move files in and out? All I ask is a 'random' option and reasonable battery life.

Plus, it's great to have in my pocket when visiting clients: I carry a small library of critical project files, database prototypes, utilities, etc. Pop it into any USB port and Bob's your Uncle (and...).

I think I paid $35 for the 256MB and $45 for the 512MB, over a year ago, from folks I met thru craigslist.

[Joe Litton]

Ah yes, good Dr, the flashdrive aspect of the device is quite handy. I suspect that when I do eventually get an iPod, I'll still keep the Trio for flash storage, since it IS so wonderfully small. But I definitely do expect to acquire an iPod one day. I really see no need to keep a CD changer as part of our stereo setup, when we could rip our CDs to MP3s and then use an iPod at work, in the car, AND in conjunction with the home stereo. I do believe I have drunk the iPod Kool-Aid (gosh it's fun to mix registered trademarks :)

[Dr. Lavine]

My problem is that I hardly listen to music anymore - just Air America, when I'm working, and my own piano playing, when I'm...um...playing the piano.

Off to Wisconsin Sunday, so will have MP3s on hand for traveling.

[Ralph Savage]

I purchased the 1GB Trio MP3 thumbdrive. I had to return the first one. It stopped working in a half hour. First the screen went buggy, then the file hierarchy, then it just wouldn't powerup.

I opened the battery compartment as this was my first hour with the device, purchased off ecost. com and the next problem---No serial number.

I called ecost.com who directed me to MachSpeed.MachSpeed told me how to fill out rebate (for $40---- a $30 rebate and a $10 rebate).I was to use the RMA# to replace the item. I had to pay for shipping. The RMA# would also serve as the serial number, per Linda of the Machspeed Rebate dept.

She confirmed receiving my materials and even had the form on her bulletin board or near her desk. Months go by. Machspeed directs me to file a web form for rebate status. I'd called them in April and i was told my rebate check was going out.

The rebate was rejected on false grounds. They claimed I did not provide paperwork, yet their own rebate expert had confirmed having my materials. The paperwork they claimed to be missing was the packing invoice which most certainly was present and from ecost.com

Second unit working reasonably. Occasionally gets stuck in directory. This may be due to power problem. The manual that comes with unit is useless (not beind sarcastic). I hope they answer my rebate claim and get with the program.

Ralph

[Joe Litton]

Ralph, Man, I feel REAL lucky after reading about your hassles with eCost and Machspeed. I received the rebate eventually without problems. But I did get tired of the weird interface on the Trio and finally just bought an iPod ...and it is SO much easier to use, and I do like having the large capacity. I do still use the Trio, but strictly as a flash drive.And you're right, the 'manual' that comes with the Trio is worthless.