Creative Zen Stone

Creative's response to Apple's iPod Shuffle is the Zen Stone. A tiny device that holds 1GB of storage and comes in a variety of colors. The Zen Stone is a bit heavier than the shuffle (0.88 ounces versus 0.55 ounces), and is also bigger - the zen stone dimensions: 2.1 inches x 1.4 inches x 0.5 inches. However at the price point ($39), it's half the price of the similarly spec'd iPod Shuffle. The playback features are standard and include single song repeat, ordered playlist, and random.

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Creative Zen Stone
MSRP $39.99
Release date May, 2007
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Pros & Cons26
Reviews13
Details
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Competitors6
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
12 reviews
57
negative
mixed
positive
9 positive
1 mixed
2 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
cheap
+12agreedisagree

long battery life
+2agreedisagree

Good sound quality
+2agreedisagree

Plug-and-play, no software required
+2agreedisagree

Small and lightweight
+2agreedisagree

Can function as USB/mass storage drive
+2agreedisagree

Looks better than the iPod Shuffle
+2agreedisagree

EXTREMELY durable
+1agreedisagree

Nice format compatibility (MP3, WMA, Audible)
+1agreedisagree

Very good for those who are not too technically inclined.
+1agreedisagree

Dedicated button on the top of it that skips from folder to folder.
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
no clip
+4agreedisagree

Gets scratched easily
+1agreedisagree

No memory expansion
+1agreedisagree

No FM tuner
+1agreedisagree

No voice recording
+1agreedisagree

No hold button
+1agreedisagree

Can only charge via USB
+1agreedisagree

Annoying LED that flashes every two or three seconds when it's playing a song.
+1agreedisagree

below-average battery life of 10 hours or less
+1agreedisagree

DRM song transfer issues with some firmware versions
+1agreedisagree

There really needs to be a hold button.
+1agreedisagree

I wish the shuffle feature stayed within a folder, instead of choosing songs from random folders.
+1agreedisagree

You can't browse music and listen to music at the same time.
+1agreedisagree

slightly larger than the 2nd gen shuffle
-5agreedisagree

Only 1 Gigabyte
-5agreedisagree


13 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

Note: It does not have a built-in clip, however Creative created different carrying devices for the Zen Stone including a keychain, clip or armband (which can be purchased separately)

Comparison with the iPod Shuffle

Spec Zen Stone iPod Shuffle
capacity 1GB 1GB
weight 0.88 ounces 0.55 ounces
height 1.4" 1.07"
width 2.1" 1.62"
depth 0.5" 0.41"
battery life up to 10 hours up to 12 hours

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This report was started May 3, 2007 at 1:52 pm by Amanie
with the last edit occurring May 26, 2009 at 4:50 pm by vsaxena911
This page has been viewed 5685 times, with 93 edits by 14 contributors.
See the full report history »

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Competitors

Creative Zen Stone is ranked 5th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in MP3 Players »

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Comments

1.  avatar Erik said:

I don't know, but I've been on an anti-Apple kick later. (see iclix). At $40, this is a pretty impressive piece of technology on the cheap. I would love to show this to a caveman (before he clubbed me to death).
May 03, 2007 2:52pm
2.  avatar dialupinternetuser said:

I'm not big into apple either, but a 1 gigabyte mp3 player is pretty much worthless. The only reason I would get this is if I wanted a smaller spare to put only my favorites on when I went somewhere. At least it is only $40, but at GameStop for $40, I could get 8 games.
May 03, 2007 3:20pm
3.  avatar Erik said:

I know what you're saying duiu, but I actually don't mind the 1 gig. If you want a durable, lightweight mp3 player while for running, this (or the shuffle) can't be beat. At 1GB it can still hold 15 full-length albums; and it's way more affordable than larger capacity players. I think there is a market.
May 03, 2007 3:46pm
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Reviews

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Jingles

avatar
May 3, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • cheap

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

dakalvia

avatar
May 3, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
love itlove it

Pros

  • cheap

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

savagemonk

avatar
May 3, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

  • long battery life

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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