As of recent times, the iPod Touch has presented itself as a typical, world-class iPod product. Usually with such scenarios, there are many other devices out there that can outperform for a smaller price, and we aim to find one such device to fight the iPod Touch. Examples of successful iPod competitors would be Creative’s Zen Vision:M, Creative’s Zen V Plus, Microsoft’s Zune, Toshiba’s Gigabeat, just to name a few.

What classifies a product as an iPod Touch competitor? First and foremost, they have to have a touch-screen – and such a unique requirement already weeds out a good portion of the portable media player market. Next, they had to be dedicated digital audio players, meaning that PDAs and cell phones are going to be left out of the picture (yes, even the Walkman). For the products that I felt couldn’t be left out of the picture, I put in the Runner Ups – they’re all what I’d consider to be somewhat “Touch-impaired”, but still worth taking a look at.

Source: http://www.menstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/ipod-touch-16gb.jpg

Throughout the next couple of weeks, we’ll be taking a look at some of these iPod Touch alternatives and I’ll be telling you what I think of them. Do they stand a chance? You can bet your behind they do.

1. Olympus M:Robe 500i
2. Archos 605 Wi-fi
3. Cowon Q5W
4. Archos 705
5. Samsung P2

Runner Ups:

• Cowon iAudio X7
• iRiver Clix 2
• Microsoft Zune