MP3 players that utilize Micro drives

Still using a hard drive, albeit smaller and lighter, you can get 4 or 5 GB (gigabytes) of music or information on one of these players.

Again Apple is top dog with the iPod Mini. To give you an idea of size, the iPod weighs in at 5.6 ounces, the Mini at 3.6 ounces. The Mini has all the iPod features storing 1,000 songs in 4 GB or 1,500 in 6, but all the iPod style as well with no edges along the side and some hot colors. This is important enough to most people to drive the iPod sales. However the docking station and remote control are not included in the package. But just think, for $50 more you get the full iPod.

Rio's 5 GB Carbon for just over $200 is a slight thing measuring 2.5 inches wide, 3.3 inches tall, a slim .6 inches deep and a whispery 3.2 ounces on the scale with a 1.5 inch LCD. The Carbon works well with Windows Media audio files and other file formats and its battery has been tested at 20 hours of listening pleasure, long enough to fly to Europe and back. Unfortunately when the battery goes, you need to send it in for a factory replacement. Sound is great, usability strong and the price better than the iPod Mini.

Dell's Pocket DJ stores up to 2,500 songs in 5 GB. Although a tad heavier than the Rio, it still is an attractive option. It has a generous 1.62 inch LCD and comes with earbuds (although everyone in digital audio review recommends getting new headphones for all MP3 players), a USB 2.0 cable and an AC adapter, all for $200. The battery is one of those rechargeable lithium polymer batteries and can keep you dancing for up to ten hours without stopping to recharge.

The Zen Micro comes in three flavors, 4, 5 and 6 GB, from $179 to $249 and ten snazzy colors. With 12 hours of battery life and a user replaceable battery, this MP3 player also features a mini-organizer with calendar, addresses, listings and a built in microphone and an FM tuner and recorder with 32 preset stations.