JJ wrote:
Most of the mp3 players with large storgae capacity do not use solid state memory. They use micro HDD's so there this will not be an issue for ipod users etc.
The ipod Nanos are solid state now, both the 2gig and 4 gig versions. Only the devices, as you said, that have large capacity have HDs. All the MP3 players out there that are 512mb or 1gig are solid state or course.
Where I work (700 retail store chain in the US) we just got a memo about 3 weeks ago that, as a company, in the last 12 months we had spent 1.7 million dollars in 'shipping' charges sending ipods off for repair.
I would say the users with HDs and not flash memory have to worry. HD's have a MUCH shorter life span in an Ipod than flash memory. Imagine this, you are trying to copy 4 gig of files from one folder on your HD to another folder, all while jogging down the street with your A1200 under your arm. I don't know who the idiot was that thought putting a laptop size HD in a portable device was a good idea, but he should be hung. Never mind all the people that accidently drop their ipods while the HD is spining playing music.
Solid state is going to last a lot longer in those sorts of applications.
AmigaGuy