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About this siteFor six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul Wednesday, May 26, 2004Seeking the best battery for digital music playersUSA Today: "One reason for the popularity of the iPod is its largest model is the size of a deck of playing cards and weighs only 5.6 ounces. But the battery that makes the small size possible can only power the machine for eight hours. By contrast, distant rival Dell's 7.6-ounce player can hold a comparable number of songs with a battery the company says can last more than twice as long, up to 20 hours. Recharging a battery shortens its life. Other factors, such as the size and type of the player's LCD display, can also affect the life span of a battery. Playing time may depend on the music format. Windows Media files are smaller and can consume less power than those in the popular MP3 format."My experience with a Dell DJ mirrors this comment: I just took the DJ to New York for three days, listened to it constantly on the train both ways (four hours each way), and didn't charge it once, and the battery meter is still on three bars (full). I would never attempt such a thing with an iPod; indeed, you'd have to bring a charger on such a trip, because the battery would have died while I was away. Don't get your iPod-loving panties in a bunch. Yeah, the iPod is really nice looking and elegantly designed. But it's pretty clear that iPod owners are sacrificing battery performance because of both the smaller size (the battery lasts a short time) and becaues of frequent recharging (the battery loses its capacity steadily over time). I've only had the DJ for a few months, but I'm blown away by how much better it is than the iPod. It's no contest. Unless, of course, you're only interested in a fashion accessory, that is. [ Posted at 9:39 PM | Permalink ]
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