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Product Reviews : Music & Play : The Micro vs the Mini
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Round 7: Going out tonight: Compatibility issues

Winner:
The Mini


Mini wins

You buy a new device; you want it to 'talk' to your existing stuff right?

With the Creative MediaSource software supporting only Windows, the Mini certainly has the upper hand with the iTunes software having dual support for both the Mac and Windows platforms. In external hard drive mode, both players are recognizable by both OS though it is disappointing that the Micro has no support for FireWire connectivity.

Both devices can natively play MP3 though on the point of WMA, the Mini can only play such tracks after converting it into its own AAC format. Kudos has to be given to the Mini for supporting more formats (MP3, AAC, AIFF, Apple Loseless and AA) than the Micro (MP3, WMA and WAV).

The success of the iPod is also tied to the iTunes online music store, however, since there is currently no iTunes in Asia and with Soundbuzz providing online music purchase support for Creative's players, the online domain currently belongs to the Micro, at least for Asia that is.




  Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7
Zen Micro   x   x x x  
iPod Mini x   x       x

 Back to intro 
Go to the bouts:
Round 1: Getting Physical  
Round 6: Upgrading the kit
Round 2: Under the Hood
Round 7: Going out tonight: Compatibility issues
Round 3: So where's the start button?
And the winner is...
Round 4: Taking the curve
Round 5: Lasting the Distance



Mobile Phones Digital Cameras Notebooks PC & Peripherals Handhelds Printers Home AV Videocams Music & Play
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