Zen Micro comes in, I-Pod goes out

Hah, I'll stick to Creative Zen Micro anyday other than a piece of overhyped chipset junk.
Well, Moore's Law is always in effect (so far it has fail to prove itself as a "theory"), since technology in 18 months time does accelerate at an astounding pace. It goes twice the number of transistors in a chip, yada yada. But here's the lowdown:

1. Tech advances by twice the capability
2. Price reduces by 50%
3. All happens within a gap of 18-24 months (some may differ on this).

So, on 20th December 2007 finally I got a unit of Creative ZEN Micro 6GB MP3 player. Alright, iPod lovers can bash all they want, but for a self-proclaimed audiophile, this superb machine (the only drawback was its subpar battery life per charge per use, which I'll not discuss here) had everything I need, simplicity, ease, wonderful sound processing capability, and an extra wonderful 6GB HDD for the meagre price of RM340. Yeah, why Creative? Its reasonably simple; because Creative has a track record of making gadgets with superb quality audio, well better than any competitors that can claim that "come close enough". Creative Labs is KING, (okay, I sound like a fanboy, but its honesty)

Expensive you say? Try looking around for something similar within its price range, and you'll be gawking to find no players, not even the famed iPod series can give you such bang for your bucks. Don't believe? Go ask an iPod representative if they could give you a 6GB MP3 player for the price of RM340. Dream on, fellas.

One thing I'm starting to love is its simplistic designs. It's got all what an iPod has (oh yeah, for those ignorant fools out there, Creative designs the same UI for Apple iPod, capishe?), and throws in even better.

Who needs a RM1k earphones, when for the same amount one can literally spend it on a better earpiece (Bose, Seinheiser, Panasonic-Technics, Phillips, anyone?) for a real deal?

But let's not go into iPod bashing mode here, I'm already having too much fun enjoying the clarity of music with ZEN, that its nearly impossible for me to turn to any products right now. Pity that ZEN Micro wasn't a girl. If she was a woman, I swore I would have sworn the marriage vows with it right now. An MP3 player that was ultimately the iPod killer (another reason why iPod went Nano-ed and began churning out video versions), and its paying off every cents. Heck, the sound quality is so good that I've even began playing the MP3s on the player connected to my Edifier speakers (not through my "quite lovingly obsolete" Creative Labs SB Live! 5.1 sound card system anymore). With 98dB SNR, its godsent. Really. Coupled with Phillips SHS-8000 in-ear ear-strap earpiece, music had never sounded more clearer (okay, I do admit that Bose and Seinheiser's are real good, but they're just not within my budget range, really!)

So, after a whole post of ranting, the whole idea?
If you're looking for a MP3 player (who wants to play videos on small, "nano-ed" [nano is actually 1x01-9, if i'm not mistaken] players? I'll rather spend that cash on a HDTV screen, honestly) that really performs beyond par, and gives the value for your every hard earned cash, with a UI that looks almost identical to iPod's, (its just cosmetics, anyway), go for Creative Zen Micro.

I don't recommend Zen MicroPhoto, because its meant for you just to oogle at the display, not the sound quality (as for the video versions, I have no comments. Creative isn't a powerhouse when it comes to displays).

Don't fret the low profile-ness of your ZEN Micro, for all you know its one of the attractive side of it. Who wants an iPod when all Ah Beng, Ah Lian, Ah Qua, Ah Chow, Bentussis and Bushwazis want to be "trendy" with something overhyped?

Stay true to audio quality, and say no to exaggeration (oh we know how good Mr.Steve is at exaggerating things in Apple Inc).

But oh well, when people walk around in their iPods and laugh at everyone else just because their (iPod users) sound quality is superb, HAHA! I laugh at their ignorance and foolishness in their so called educated "brains". People, start to really think about quality, don't be drawn to just mere advertisements!

God Save the Fools. (May He does so, we pray).

February 22, 2007