Apple's iPod family may rule the world of MP3 players but there are many challengers out there. We take a look through the Creative Zen team sheet, which tackles Apple from top to tail.
Clearly, Apple's range of iPods are one very popular: they're sleekly designed, easy to use and have loads of readily available content. But Apple's not the only company that knows how to produce a quality MP3 player -- a handful of others are well-versed in that regard and have legacies of their own. Take Creative Labs and its Zen family, a line of MP3 players with sweet sound and slick interfaces. Indeed, the iPod's own user-friendly interface is based on Creative's invention and -- dare we say it? -- the Zen's customisable interface makes it a bit more fun.
At the bottom of the pack, we have the ultra-simple, ultra-cheap Zen Stone, a 1GB pebble of a player with few features and a price tag to match: this one will set you back just AU$89.95. Next cab off the rank is the sleek, video playing Zen Neeon 2 which tackles the iPod nano. Then there's the Zen V Plus -- a compact, toy-like flash player with a colour screen, voice recording, video playback and FM tuning. And lastly in the flash player range there's the user-pleasing Zen Nano Plus (once the MuVo Micro).
In the hard-drive player paddock is the Zen Micro Photo, a now-retro microdrive player with a touch-sensitive control pad. Further up on the food chain is the Zen Vision:M, an award-winning hard-drive-based model with a fun and colourful design, as well as plenty of features. For those after a true portable video player, Creative delivers with the Zen Vision:W, which is available in 30GB and 60GB guises.
Creative Zen Stone
Creative's pebble-like Zen Stone takes on the iPod Shuffle. It has a lower price and better sound but lacks the brand aura and tactility of the Shuffle.
Creative Zen Neeon 2 (2GB)
What's new in the Neeon 2? Lots of things. Least of which includes a new video playback feature and a healthy dose of Creative's patented graphics user interface (GUI).
Creative Zen V Plus (2GB)
Small, smooth, colourful and charming; the Zen V Plus is the cutest MP3 player Creative has come up with so far.
Creative Zen Micro Photo (8GB)
While the Zen Micro Photo is, indeed, an improvement over the original, photo and music playback just can't seem to live in sync.
Creative Zen Nano Plus
If you're looking for a feature-packed flash player but you don't want to spend a ton to get one, Creative's Zen Nano Plus is the device for you.
Creative Zen Vision:M (30GB) 
Let's get past the fact that it looks like the iPod. The Creative Zen Vision:M, drenched in features, is a refreshing breath of fresh air in the MP3 market.
Creative Zen Vision:W
The bulky but easy-to-use Creative Zen Vision:W and its nice screen will dazzle video lovers who don't require video recording.
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