Top 5 iPod alternatives for the Mac

Not all MP3 players play nice with Mac, however. Several popular MP3 players marketed to PC users (such as the Microsoft Zune or the Creative Zen) use a connection standard called MTP that responds to only Windows-based computers. For an MP3 player to be Mac-compatible, it needs to show up on your Mac's desktop as a generic USB hard drive (also called UMS or MSC compatibility). It's not too hard to come across an MP3 player capable of connecting as a generic USB hard drive, but finding one worthy of replacing an iPod is tougher than you'd think.

Each of the following five players offers something special that no iPod has yet to match. Whether it's the audio quality of the Sony Walkman, the unbeatable price of the Creative Zen MX, or the dazzling file format support of both Cowon and Archos, Mac users looking to dip their toes in non-Apple waters have plenty of incentive.

We also have a guide to show you how to make iTunes work with these non-iPod players.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	Archos 5 (60GB)   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Large, high-resolution touchscreen display; Wi-Fi; music playback, photos, Flash video and game compatibility; PDF reader; Mac and PC compatibility; built-in speaker; integrated kickstand; optional DVR, GPS, and 3G capabilities. The bad: Requires a proprietary USB cable for charging and transferring content; glossy design is quickly marred by fingerprints; older Archos accessories are incompatible; some applications still in beta, and you'll need to pay extra to activate many of the player's more desirable features. The bottom line: The Archos 5 boasts an improved screen size, image resolution, and sound quality over its predecessor, but its Web browser and Flash media playback are disappointing for a product marketed on the strength of its Internet media capabilities. Plus point: Better file format support and larger screen size. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Samsung YP-P3 (8GB)   CNET Asia rating: 8.7 out of 10 The good: Sleek and sturdy design; gorgeous full-color touchscreen; fun interface; includes a boatload of features such as Bluetooth connectivity, widgets, an FM radio, and voice recording; support for a wide variety of audio formats. The bad: Interface may take some getting used to; no Wi-Fi; podcast support is inelegant. The bottom line: The Samsung P3 is an excellent multimedia device that packs a grand amount of features into an impressively compact package with one of the best screens available. Plus, it sounds superb, making this a top contender for audio enthusiasts. Plus point: Better file format support and sound quality. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Sony NWZ-X1050 (16GB)   CNET Asia rating: 7.5 out of 10 The good: Excellent touchscreen; OLED display looks brilliant; good sound quality; noise-cancelling mode; physical buttons for main functions; Wi-Fi. The bad: Noise-cancelling works only with supplied in-ear headphones; Internet browser is slow; text input can get cumbersome with phone-style entry; album art browsing is useful only if your music collection contains album art. The bottom line: Sony's new offering has a brilliant display, good sound quality and an immense feature set. What's not to like? Plus point: Sound quality and noise-cancelling feature. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Creative Zen MX (8GB)   CNET Asia rating: 7.5 out of 10 The good: Acceptable sound quality; decent video playback; sharp screen; decent array of features such as FM tuner, voice recording and SD/SDHC expansion slot. The bad: No dedicated volume control; glossy plastic body looks cheap, CMV video format conversion possible only via Creative Centrale; slightly sluggish interface. The bottom line: Creative's latest player may have some drawbacks, but it still is a strong contender that provides great value for money. Plus point: Great screen and value for money. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Cowon S9 (16GB)   CNET Asia rating: 8.8 out of 10 The good: Superb sound quality; excellent screen quality; file format support; responsive touchscreen; stereo Bluetooth. The bad: User interface isn't intuitive; no AAC support. The bottom line: The Cowon S9 is the company's best MP3 player to date. It boasts superb sound quality, a beautiful display and great features. Its main downside, however, is its average user interface, which isn't idiot-proof by any means. Plus point: Better file format support. Review | See full specs | Rate this