Ipod Mini 4GB Vs Sony NW-E507

[Mich]

Narrowed it down to one of these two but just can't decide!!

These are my thoughts at the min but any other comments would be great! The difference in capacity isn't a really big issue and i would definately not use the full 4GB of the ipod mini but could go over the 1GB. (could just remove some songs from the sony that i dont really want to listen to anymore). Its really just the size and lack of radio thats putting me off the ipod mini.

Sony - good points - Small, radio, good battery life
- bad points - smaller capacity, sonicstage can be annoying to use, can only be charged through USB

Ipod Mini - good points - larger capacity, i like using itunes and all my music is loaded onto it already, like the touch-scroll feature, a power adaptor can be bought if needed, menu structure easier to use, can easily look through the library of music
-bad points - bigger/bulkier, battery life is way lower than the sony

Thanx

[Daz]

Personally I think my 20GB Ipod is quite compact and my bosses Ipod mini is even more compact. I can't speak specifically of the Sony NW-E507 but I know that Sony MP3 players can be a right pain when it comes to DRM MP3's.
From what I've read, DRM only work with MP3's downloaded from Sonys online music store.
Personally I refuse to pay for low quality MP3's so I buy the CDs then rip
them to variable bit rate MP3's.
Of course, you may not be bothered about the overall quality of MP3 tracks so the smaller storage capacity of the Sony may be more suited to you.

I played with practically all the hard drive based MP3's before I purchased my Ipod and I felt it was the most perfect for my needs.

Obviously this is just my point of view and of course, I will be biased towards the Ipod but imo and this is just my oppinion, the Ipod was the best on the market when I made my mind up.
If you can, I suggest you have a play with the Sony & the Ipod before you decide.

[Mich]

Sonicstage software supplied with the sony allows you to rip your own CDs aswell. You dont have to buy all your music from the Connect Music Store.

I got to use an ipod mini for a while the other day but have never had the chance to use the sony.

[liamss]

Mich, charging from usb can be such a pain in the arse! my mate bought the 6gb ipod! IT DIDNT EVEN COME WITH A CHARGER, what happens if you go away on holiday or for a few days??

the 4gb did come with a charger last i knew!

Mich, the ipod mini is really small, i wouldnt say it was bulky! IMO, but i havent seen the sony so i cant compare that way, i have used sonicstage, and it is alot ore complicated than itunes!!

[Mich]

Dont think the 4GB one comes with an adaptor either, but at least I could buy it separately. With the sony im stuck with the USB charging but battery life is much better so I (hopefully)wont have to charge it as often.

The sony is smaller than the ipod. Its about the same length as my D500 but narrower and not as thick.

The only thing putting me off the sony really is the Sonicstage software. Also I saw a display model today and its slightly bigger than i thought it was.

Ah, Im so confused!!!! At the minute i'm leaning towards the sony though!

[liamss]

yea i had the song nw-hd3, sonic-stage is difficult, because off all th transfering and stuff, and also labelling the songs!! itunes is easier to use, and the ipod is easy to change the songs with the click wheel!!

but it depends what you need, lke the memory ive got 1500 songs on my 20gb but i dont listen to many of the older ones, which i could delete!!

i would say go for the ipod, but im biased coz i love them! ;)

also, the battery on the newer mini is 18hours compared to the eight of the 4gb!! also the 4gb has a common problem of the battery life seeming to halve, aftera few months, wel the old ones did, it think you shold be ok now tho!! :)