Strengths: Smaller than the Zen Micro. Great color screen, and I love that you can put one of your own pictures on the player background.

Weaknesses: You can't look at your pictures while listening to your music. The color screen is washed out when you're outside in the sun.

Summary: I really enjoy my new Zen Micro Photo, even more than my old Zen Micro. I would have kept using my old player, but there was a problem with the headphone jack, and I decided that it was time for an upgrade. I checked out a lot of other players, except for the iPod, for the simple reason that everyone and their grandma had them and I wanted to be different, also I didn't trust how flimsy they felt. And for some reason I always came back to the Creative products. With any product, there are things that I like about it, and things I don't like about it. I love that you are able to use one of your own pictures as a background for your player, how there is an FM radio built in so that I can listen to my favorite radio show, how it holds so many songs with the 8 GB hard drive. Unfortunately I found out last week while mowing the lawn, the great color screen is pretty much invisible when you're out in the sun, and if you go to check out your photos while listening to music, your music will be stopped. The software, when you get used to it, is easy to use. Overall I would definately purchase another Creative product again.

Strengths: 1) small size2) intuitive to use3) large (enough) capacity4) software easy to navigate5) good price6) built-in radio

Weaknesses: *Buttons too sensitive.I often overshoot or undershoot the option I want on the menus. The controls are therefore hard to use.

Summary: I didn't need an MP3 player with huge capacity, so this 8GB player was perfect. The price was also great, after $100 rebate (final price was less than 100)

Strengths: Price Point, nice fit in hand, lcd, sound quality

Weaknesses: Wish battery life was longer

Summary: This is an easy to use mp3 player. Creative MP3 players are more reasonably priced than many other players, without sacrificing quality. I just with the batter life was more like 25hrs instead of around 14, but I am picky that way. ;) . Sound quality is great; buy your own higher quality earbuds/headphones (should do this with all mp3 players). I also like the size of this mp3 player, as it fits well in an adult male hand; it is not too small or too big. Player also appears sturdy. I recommend buying a silicone cover for all your mp3 players, including this one. I also like the 8gb storage, as I feel this is a good amount of space, again not too little or too much space, for my needs and wants anyway. Too much gb storage and you are overpaying for the device IMHO.

Strengths: FM radio, lots of storage, decent sync software

Weaknesses: Controls are difficult to use, very touchy. Songs are stored so that creating a new playlist on the fly is nearly impossible. Doing anything requires lots of concentration, patience, and time.

Summary: Overall, I was not happy with this device. Once you invested a lot of time getting it going, it ran fine, but that initial time investment was a pain. The controls are very difficult to use. The resolution for pictures is not very good. Playback was fine, but not impressive enough to make up for its shortcomings.

Strengths: It has an FM tuner which the iPod does not and a nice LCD color display

Weaknesses: None that I could find...I really like this device!

Summary: If you want the great features of an iPod but also need an FM tuner...this is the product for you. I had a previous version ...the 5Gb Zen Micro and loved it. I upgraded to this one and can highly recommend it. I have bought other Creative brand products and have never been disappointed...plus they have great customer service.