The Creative Zen Micro
posted October 13th 2004 6:49AM
Creative has just officially thrown down in taking on the iPod mini with their new 5GB Zen Micro MP3 player. First
off it comes in double the number of colors—Black, White, Silver, Dark blue, Light blue, Red, Purple, Citrus Orange,
Lime Green and Pink—and is exactly the same width as the iPod mini, three-tenths of an inch shorter, and two-tenths of
an inch thicker, and has 25% more storage capacity, a built-in FM tuner, a removable 12 hour battery (believe us, this
is a big deal), a vertical touchpad like the one found on the
Creative Zen Touch, customizable menus, and the ability
to sync your calendar, contacts, and to do list with Microsoft Outlook. They're taking pre-orders on it for $249.95.
Click to see a pic of the Zen Micro up close.
[Thanks, Ben]
This is a quibbble, but going from 4gb to 5gb is a 25% increase.
you can drop the shananagans (sp?) and just say:
WITH A WHOPPING 1GB MORE THAN THE LEADING MINI Mp3 PLAYER, THE MICROZEN IS SURE TO PLEASE EVEN THE MOST DISCRIMINATING GOOBER! :)
The Zen Micro actually loses the size argument by a good margin when you take total volume into account.
Zen Micro: 3.3"H x 2"W x 0.7"D = 4.62 cubic inches
iPod Mini: 3.6"H x 2"W x 0.5"D = 3.6 cubic inches
That means it's about 25% bigger in more ways than one!
Sorry to pick nits... but hey, we're all obsessive geeks here, right? :)
shouldn't it be 3.0"H x 2"W x 0.7"D = 4.2 cubic inches?
shouldn't it be 3.0"H x 2"W x 0.7"D = 4.2 cubic inches?
Fewer accessories than iPod mini (esp. no dock)
Doesn't play audiobooks
Doesn't sync with iTunes (and more specifically, with my iTunes playlists)
A little plastic looking
Although a FM tuner + removable battery is certainly compelling, I think I'll still be getting an iPod mini.
Adrian has the specs right. For comparison's sake:
$50 more = ipod 20 gig = 5.6 cubic inches (21% increase)
$150 more = ipod 40 gig = 6.8 cubic inches (47% increase)
No matter how you shake it, the best value for size and capacity is still the 20 gig ipod.
Everyday I pray for someone to release a better iPod. IPod owners think they're so smug and clever with their ugly MP3 players.
I guess I'll have to keep praying.
I share your sentiments Kent.... nothing out there looks stylish enough. Check out the new Olympus m:robe though, it seems like the coolest player of all so far, and 0.1" shorter than the iPod mini at 3.5"H x 2.0"W x 0.5"D!
Why not add a little "bling bling" gold or platnum to increase the "style value"? What superflous nonsence! The only thing of value beyond what is already on the market that this new gadget has is a radio tuner ($15 in parts and assembly) (which would be a nice addition to an iPod BTW). But remember, the iPod is more than JUST a digital music player; it does the calendar, contacts, etc etc, it can also be the most versital, portable HD/backup disk available in addition to playing just about any type of digital music on the market. (and there are aps to convert those pesky wma files to something more normal) Can this Creative piece of plastic do anything else?
It syncs contacts, to-do, and calendar with Outlook, and plays "any kind of audio file" (and there are apps to convert those pesky AAC files to something more normal). Seriously though - it plays MP3 and that's all anyone should be concerned about. You can keep your DRM'd itunes and WMA, cuz I sure don't want to "buy" a song and have it expire after a couple of years.
The Zen Micro is not as pretty (or as thin) as an iPod mini, but with a removable battery, internal voice recorder and FM radio (with recorder) it's blows the iPod mini out of the water for functionality.
This player has a 150% increase in music storage, from 1000 songs on the Mini to 2500 on the Micro. The player syncs up with a plethora amount more of players such as Windows Media 10, Music Match Jukebox and more. The player CAN be used to transfer songs from computer to computer, unlike anything that apple has put out. The player has an FM tuner/recorder, and a feature that alows you to make playlist on the fly. This is going to put a huge damper in the marketshare that apple stole from Creative Labs, INC. and for sure will revolutionize the market with a plethora amount of other new players yet to be released. There are so many features that this player has that I-pod doesnt. PLUG AND PLAY with windows media 10 allows you not to install complicated, proprietry software to use your player. With apple selling 10 million units world wide, which break every 18 months, and selling 130 millon songs on I-tunes, thats only 13 songs payed for on every I-pod. We know where the market is, bootleging music. Lets not be fools and get rid of I-tunes. Its only more software you have to install.
Not to mention a 98 signal to noise ratio, compared to the 90 on the ipod. It also comes with more accesories than the ipod check the package contents section of the creative zen micro web site.http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=10795&nav=5
with better or equal EVERYTHING and some completely new features for the same price why would you buy an ipod mini?
unless your not in the US, it only comes with one battery and looks like extras will be $50. remote is also not equipped. i was going to get an ipod but then saw this one. love the fact that you dont have to spend an extra $30 for FM tuner not to mention the voice recorder. although its only 5gb :( might spend the extra $50 for the 20gb ipod. definatly a good deal if you were thinking about a ipod mini though.
From experience with Creative's MuVo2 4gb player, I'm going to assume that this 5gb Zen Micro is also a micro-harddrive. I don't know what kind of memory the 4gb Mini-Ipod uses, however, I do know that the 20gb IPod does not allow the user to transfer music OFF of the player. The 4gb MuVo2 does allow the user to transfer music off the player because computers identify the MuVo2 as an external harddrive. I will assume the Zen Micro is built on the same idea, and will allow the user to transfer music off the player. Some comments have said that the 20gb IPod is superior or whatever else is better. My comment is that, we cannot compare this Zen Micro to something else and not compare ALL the specs. Anyway, I tend to stray from majority and go for the underdogs. Since IPod is loved by so many, I will give mine to this Zen Micro, unless I experience otherwise. Excellent dialogue here!
Was just about ready to place an order for the Creative Muvbo2 4 gb which I had decided on after coming to the conclusion that the Ipod Mini was just not for me because of the built in battery not user replaceable. Then discovered today this new product from Creative which not only gives me everything that I could possibly want plus a recorder and an FM tuner at a price that is competitive with Ipod. Creative has done a marvelous job of just about beating all of the Ipod's specs and coming out with a product that appears to be a superior. Cannot wait to get one. I am one of those who only has 100 or so CD's and not really interested in the huge capacity that other player models offer at the expense of size.
Ok I seen em all now....Virgin, Ipod, etc and this appeals. So how I pay for it/ I'm investing in hard drive manufacturers.
Ok I seen em all now....Virgin, Ipod, etc and this appeals. So how I pay for it/ I'm investing in hard drive manufacturers.
On every single iPod, there is a hidden top level directory called "Music." Guess what that directory contains? Right, your music! You can access it from the command line, from OS X (search for invisible music files) and, I'm sure, in Windows with very little work.
That's how I've transferred every single song from every single iPod I've ever owned (1G, 3G, now 4G) to my office G5.
Traditionally, Zen's biggest hurdle has been its clunky interface and poor ergonomics. It looks like they've mimicked Apple's interface, but I wonder how this feels in your hand. Personally, I prefer the tactile feedback of the 1G, 2G and 4G iPods vs simple touchpads (like the 3G.)
I'm in your exact position charles, I was just about to get the muvo2 then this is released. It looks amazing, and love all the features. The best in my opinion are the removable battery and able to drag and drop files, which makes everything so much easier, without having to use iTunes and not able to sync with other comps.
Hi Ben,
May I know ho to go abt getting the pre-order?By the way, where is the source of your pricing?
I'm interested but I heard that it's retailing at $539.
Hi Jeanine, just goto amazon.com and search for zen micro and u'll find them selling at $250.
Does anyone have any idea when the Zen Micro is going to be released? I have been looking for a mp3 player and just found out about the Zen Micro today, now I am getting this one. Don't know when it's coming out..any help?
Thanks
Nice Creative Player but another one without the M-port???
Why did creative put the m-port on a whole range of players if none of there players were going to support it????
I've been using an iRiver HP120 for a while now, and one of the things that I love about it is that no software is required to load music on or off of the player. The iPod can be used as an external hard drive, but files must be loaded using iTunes for them to play on the iPod.
My question is: does the Zen Micro require the software to load or unload songs like the iPod, or is the interface simple drag and drop via USB like the iRiver?
Does anyone know if there is a remote controle available to this device? Ive read somewhere that its possible, but I cannot find any info about it on the Creative homepage. Whithout a remote this player isnt for me.
I have a creative muvo txfm, which does not require any software to upload any songs. I belive it will be the same for the zen micro
There is a remote control though i think it does not come with the zen in box but as an accessory that you can buy later. As for the hard drive thing spence was asking about yes you can just use it as a straight hard drive like your iriver.
It's what improves all product,
The Ipod and Ipod mini are good and improves what was available, and now we are going to see many other imrovements,
like the iRiver PMC100, the Creative media center and the iRiver PMP120.
Let's look at all the improvments out there, and to the future of MP3 players
As an owner of a Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox Zen with 20GB storage capacity, I've never been a fan of the ipod minis. I found myself irritated at how much of a status symbol it has become. So-called hipsters cooing over "cute" it was made me want to puke. The $/GB ratio just didn't make sense, and confirmed to me that ipod mini buyers are for the most part uninformed souls with too much money to spend on a trendy item.
It says the battery is removable and you can plug in a new charged one....but where can I buy extra batteries?? Creative does not carry them as an extrra accessory.
I'm sure they will offer it once the Zen Micro itself becomes commerically available.
This new player looks the goods. Just wondering if it will have a hold/lock feature? I find when jogging with any music device, it's useless without one. Anyone happen to know this?
I've been holding off untill I hear more about the 40GB version of the Zen Touch that was mentioned on this site back in July. Has anyone heard anything more on its release date? A 30GB or 40GB model would both be fine for me, but the 20GB is just a bit too small.
Anwsers to your questions:
Then Zen Micro is availible for order online today, and will hit retail stores on the 16th of november.
It is a 5 gig Hitachi REMOVABLE micro drive, the MuVo 2 was a 4 gb Hitachi, same one that is in the I-Pod Mini.
Remote Control, unsure about, but enough inquires and it will be availble at a later date.
Battery is removable, and you can order extras on the Creative site for 49.99 each.
Transfering music with an iPod from comptuer to comptuer, etc... is trivially easy, unless you want to pirate it. Even then, converting to MP3 or other format is also incredibly easy, with very little loss in quality. But then, if you are someone who would actually buy one of these for the same money as the iPod mini, then you probably have trouble tieing your shoes. Who set up your windows computer for you???
Ive read that the micro only plays up to 128kbps mp3s, whats up with that?
I might need help "tieing" my shoes, but I'm going for the micro. I'm just waiting for more colors to become available.
>Ive read that the micro only plays up to >128kbps mp3s, whats up with that?
Those ranges listed are for recording only.
I believe the range is 32 to 320kbps
The big Question
The mini or the micro. what should i buy?
I'm really sold on the FM radio component - where else to get unbiased daily news from NPR? Also - broadcasting throughout the house with an FM transmitter hooked up to your PC you can stream WXYC-Chapel Hill and KCRW... the options are limited. Don't be tied to your computer or annoy wife/roomates with blasting of these shows!headphones and the Zen Micro is the solution.
My Question - iPod has Bose and other cool docking situations... companies are making peripherals and cool accessories are coming out of the woodwork for iPod - WHAT WILL BE CREATIVE LABS ANSWER TO THIS? WHAT KIND OF STUFF IS ALREADY OUT THERE?
Thanks for any info that anyone has,
BW
does anyone know if an fm transmitter is available for the creative zen micro(like the one ipod offers)?
The "Micro" has a built-in FM receiver; there is no need for any add-ons to listen to the radio.
Why do you need a dock for your player? Simply plug it in through your home receiver and play through a full sound system. Those Bose docks are very expensive and pointless.
I don't follow why I would buy this particular model. Can anyone answer:
Why buy the Creative Zen Touch 5GB model when they sell the Creative 20GB Zen Touch for $10 less with the same features (on Amazon)?
How much difference is there between these and the Nomad Jukebox Zen 30GB/40GB devices which are also at the same price point?
does anyone know where I can get a hold of the orange zen micro or has it been released yet ?
The Zen Touch is much bigger and does not have a fm tuner or an exchangeable battery, both are nice in their own way...
I was reading about these at http://audiogogo.com, but their forum isn't very busy so I wanted to ask if anyone has taken on of these while playing sports can it survice a fall, like in soccor?
Still no update on release in the U.S. Anybody have info on this?
From what I've read recently, a limited quantity of certain colors (black, silver and navy)are available right now. The problem is: only one disc manufacturer (Seagate, I think) is supplying the discs to Creative, as well as a couple other companyies, and hence the limited release. I just wish that Creative would up-date their site to reflect ship-dates and not just leave those of us with pending orders in the dark. Can I get one for X-mas? I called their service line and someone told me that they would be shipping all colors by Thanksgiving. I called again and today and they said they have no planned release date for the additional colors.?!
By the way you can get the blue Zen micro from JR in NYC. I was there last week and saw it, anyway I am happy with my silver one.