Creative X-Fi vs. Creative Zen [Poll]

[Zephik]

I'm having a hard time deciding between the X-Fi and the Zen (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2100210023&StoreType=7&CompareItemList=N82E16855102053,N82E16855102039&page=5&bop=And), both made by Creative.

On one hand, if I buy the 2GB Zen, then I can buy a 16GB SD card which brings me to a total of a hundred dollars for 18GB's of storage.

Then on the other hand, if I buy the 8GB X-Fi, I'll get a much nicer looking, much more solid feeling (Zen feels a bit toy-ish) MP3/MP4 player with built-in speakers AND premium headphones. It also has a bit longer audio playing life, about 5 hours more I believe. It can also play MPEG4 format whereas the other cannot.

Thats with no 16GB SD card though (can't afford both right now) and for a total of a hundred and forty dollars, so forty dollars more for 8GB instead of 18GB. But then again... I can always upgrade the X-Fi with an SD card in the future when I get more money, bringing me to 24GB's of storage instead of the 18GB Zen. (Future = about a month or two, three at the very most)

I'm leaning slightly toward the X-Fi, but... Gah, I just can't decide for some reason.

So what do you guys think? What would you do?

[xRyokenx]

If they both have SD slots I'd go with the X-Fi. If the X-Fi doesn't have an SD slot, how much media are you planning on having with you? If it is substantially more than 8GB then go with the Zen.

[TheGreatSatan]

Buy the better one. Otherwise you'll buy the cheaper and be pissed you spent the money on it in the first place. Then you'll still have to go out and spend more money to buy the one you should have gotten the first time.

Zen you bought like an idiot = $60
Pissed about the Zen you bought, you buy the better one = $140

Total spent - $200

Spending the right amount (http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=113&ref=dealtime&utm_source=DealTime&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CLZEN8GBXFI&sku=CLZEN8GBXFI) (FREE Shipping) the first time = Priceless.

[xRyokenx]

Zen you bought like an idiot = $60
Pissed about the Zen you bought, you buy the better one = $140

Total spent - $200

Spending the right amount (http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=113&ref=dealtime&utm_source=DealTime&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CLZEN8GBXFI&sku=CLZEN8GBXFI) (FREE Shipping) the first time = Priceless.

Hahaha, awesome.

I agree with TGS, just get the better one. Also: look into the COWON D2, I have one and it is amazing. I believe you may like it. http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/cowon/d2/

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Ryoken's got a point - why are you limited to Creative? Cowon (as mentioned) and SanDisk also have competitive products in this category.

I'm just a bit biased against Creative, though. Don't take my word for it.

[TheGreatSatan]

I have the Creative Zen Nano and love it. Why Creative? I don't know anyone with a Sandisk Sound card in their case.

[mittelmeier]

I'd get the X-Fi because it's got more storage out of the box and can be upgradded to more in total.

I've got a sandisk mp3 player and I'm quite happy with it. It's an e-250 I think, can't remember off the top of my head. I don't have any problems with it. I wish it was bigger than 2GB but it accepts micro-SD cards so it's all good.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I don't know anyone with a Sandisk Sound card in their case.

I don't know anyone with an Apple sound card, either... but iPods seem fairly popular.

That said, I think if Creative's sound card drivers were any indication, their mp3 players would have firmware updates on a weekly basis.

[Zephik]

Ryoken's got a point - why are you limited to Creative? Cowon (as mentioned) and SanDisk also have competitive products in this category.

I'm just a bit biased against Creative, though. Don't take my word for it.

I'm actually not limited to Creative at all. I've used many brands of players including iPod, SanDisk, iRiver and of course, Creative. Although I've only ever owned iPod and Creative products, the others I've just borrowed from friends.

But the main reason why I only listed Creative products is because of their fairly excellent price range compared to other products with similar technical specs. Their quality and pleasing aesthetics are also something that I desire that I can't seem to get unless I "break the bank" for Apple and/or Microsoft products. So really, its more like they picked me, not the other way around. I just want the all around best bang for my buck, I don't really care too much for brand labels (although I wont ever buy from a brand that is known to be cheap, even if the product isn't).

Although I must admit, Creative's quality in their products has been somewhat lacking as of late. Their older products were top notch stuff, but these new releases just don't compare I'm afraid. I will admit however that they do look much more appealing than their older products, which unfortunately seems to be their main concern anymore. Ultimately it will be their downfall unless they get back on the ball and start releasing products that are all around well built, designed and most importantly cared for. (see lack of concern for the flaws in their products for an example of what I mean when I say "cared for", they seem to be usually somewhat simple fixes, probably just with firmware, but they don't seem to care anymore I guess)