I'm considering getting an MP3 player with high storage capacity(ala, more than 20gigs), or a cheap USB Laptop HDD.

Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is the iPod range, but from what I've heard, they can't be used as external HDDs, which is what I'm really looking for....MP3 is mainly an extra. Plus I remember Trin saying that iTunes moves all your MP3's into different folders( :argh: ) that's the last thing I want in a MP3 player....

I've seen a few other 20-40gig MP3 players, but I can't remember what they were called, and I didn't see if they could be used has external HDDs.

Now my teacher at school has a 20gig USB Laptop HDD which cost him $80(from China. :P), but he said you can get them around that price here as the prices have gone down. The only problem I can see with those, is that I can't plug earphones in a listen to music...

So basically, I'm wondering if anyone knows of any high capacity MP3 players that can just used like USB thumb-drives? I'll have a look around myself, but if anyone has any info, please, post it here. :thumbsup:

If one doesn't exsist, I'm going to get a USB laptop HDD. :thumbsup:

Sound like you're after some sort of PocketPC

Nahh, I don't want to pay more than $450 for it, and all I want is somthing that I can use as an external HDD and listen mp3's on. :)

I was sure that you can use an iPod for storage ability. I'm pretty confident I've heard that people have used the HD as a means to store video and text files. If it can't I'll be really disappointed, as I'm buying one primarily for mp3 usage but would definitely use remaining storage to hold other files.

Well if I can use it as easily as my USB thumbdrive(plug and play), and I don't have to use iTunes....

You definitely have to use iTunes for music but I'm pretty sure it can be used just like a USB drive, only bigger. ;)

Okay, here's a slight rundown of the iPod scene.

iTunes rocks. Yes, it puts songs in different folders. However, it clones them into new folders, sorted by name, album, artist, etc. So really, it's extremely conveniant, sorting it all for you. And of course, if you're worried about being able to find 'em, it's child's play. Either listen to them through iTunes or if you want the file itself, highlight the song in iTunes and say "show file". Easy stuff.

iTunes makes dealing with the iPod a breeze. Drop and drag whatever you want, simple as that. And yes, it's also a portable hard drive. It's as plug and play as you can get mate.

However, for all this awesome simplicity and ease of use, the 40GB iPod will force you to fork out $600. So you might be outta luck there.

But as an extremely happy 20GB iPod owner I can say it was worth forking out the cash...

Yep, and the only place it moves your music is to \My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music with seperate folders for the artist and then album.

And I am certain that the iPod has plug and play... http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=215182 and if you dont want to use iTunes for transfering music there is a winamp plugin http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/20/2/20-2-2.shtml
Just a few searches on google found the result you were looking for :)

Also, by default, iTunes moves all the folders around, but it can be changed.
All you have to do is untick the box that says "Copy files to iTunes folder when adding to library." It then just plays them from the original location. Although having it organize them itself is rather handy.

You can most definetly use the iPod as a hard drive also. It appears as a removable device under My Computer.

I own a 4G iPod 40GB and I'm very happy with it. The only problem I've had is that one time it randomly froze for no reason, there's also a slight 'rainbow effect' on the screen under certain light conditions' Refraction or something, not enough to be concerning though.

Heard good things about these though. Worth checking out if you can find them for a good price.
http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/H120.aspx

Well I really don't like the idea of iTunes moving 15gigs of files, just so that it knows where they are...my files are sort out quite nicly thankyou. :)

As for decoding, I've been using MusicMatch since I got my old MP3 player, so decoding wasn't an issue.

But if there's no way you can use an iPod and not have iTunes copy a whole HDD partition, I think I'll see what else there is first. ;)

Good to know it's plug and play though. :thumbsup:


I've been looking at a thing called an Archos Jukebox(:S) seems to match up to the iPod specs-wise:

Pitty it ain't "teh sex". :\



Plus it uses AA batteries, doesn't have a built in one like mobiles. :(


Thanks Woody! :woot: I was trying to remember what that one was called, cause I saw it in JB Hi-Fi the other day.

I'll do some research into it. :thumbsup:

EDIT: Weird, the US model with comes with the remote, is roughly $457AUD, but the cheapest I can see one for on this site is $630. :S
http://www.mp3direct.com.au/webstore/pdinf...s_subcategory=&


I'd say that that's the rrp, so I'll have a look around while I'm in Melbourne on the weekend, I'm sure I'll see it cheaper there. :)

The largest mp3/flash drive I have seen is 512mb :S

Biggest I've see is 2gig....but the above players use actual Hard Drives. ;)

Lol, I saw the advert for th iriver on SBS. It sucks ass man! Estapol, go join your local MBF and get a free MP3 player, as simple as that! :P *I'm not kidding*

Oh wait, I always thought that the iPod could be used as a portable HDD. Thats the whole reason I asked my dad to get me one on his trip, I mean how am I spose to fill 40GB with just music? :o

You can use them as a plug-n-play USB connection. Apparently just transfer the files from a USB port and when you want to use them the iPod will come under My Computer as a removable device.

Summary, ask Woody for my info. :P

Yes! Listen to DC! For the last time, iPods are also a plug-n-go portable hard drive...

Ah, good... 40GB of portability...

I'm in heaven, no more wasting CD-R's. :)

I've already got an MP3 player, but overall I can only hold just over 300mb, and it doesn't use USB so it's very slow. :(

And why is the iRiver bad? Seems better than an iPod...

Who said the iRiver was bad, no one is allowed to bad mouth it now that I own one...

What's this about iTunes/iPod moving music folders around? I have a 20gb iPod and I haven't noticed this...

i brought a 512gb mp3 player for 12pound 3 weeks ago i can store up to 150 songs so far on it!!!