I presently own a Wolverine MVP 80GB. I use it to store photos, my compressed CDs and important files from my computers. However, the HD is giving me problem, so I would like to replace it, and I would like to hear about some alternatives.

Positives: It is immediately recognized by PCs as an external drive, so easy to transfer files. It allows many different music formats including my favorite AAC (OGG is actually better, but consumes too much memory for a portable), and raw photos. It is able to record with very decent quality. Excellent screen and sound. Removable battery. Despite the problems, very rugged.

Negatives: Too thick and heavy (about twice the thickness of the IPOD 80GB), and batteries last only a few hours (~6).

So ideally I would like a unit that captures all the positives. I don't need it to watch videos. The primary concerns are that it have around 80GB, it play AAC, accept different photo formats, very good sound and screen, decent battery (+14 Hours), and able to accept files for backup. Also, decent size (about IPOD 80GB is fine) and reliable is important.

Nice Extras: removable battery, easy communication with PCs, be able to record (all of which I think the IPOD can't do). These are nice, but not necessary.

Any thoughts?

For pc compatability as a removable drive I would look at the iaudio x5, or the Zen Vision M (ZVM) Both are avaiable in 60 gig, probably 80 gig zvm available soon.
Either will be recognized as an external drive by windows....

Check a couple threads down, I have posted a few helpful links....

For pc compatability as a removable drive I would look at the iaudio x5, or the Zen Vision M (ZVM) Both are avaiable in 60 gig, probably 80 gig zvm available soon.
Either will be recognized as an external drive by windows....

Check a couple threads down, I have posted a few helpful links....
Thanks, I'll have a look at them.

Raul,

As an alternative, you can also replace the HDD in the Wolverine with a simple laptop 2.5" drive (the process is straightforward and the Wolverine will automatically format and load the internal applications onto the new drive - of course you will have to backup your existing data before you replace the drive). 100 GB Drives can be found for less than $100. Alternatively, COSTCO sells an update of the Wolverine MVP called the ESP - it has a bigger screen and some other enhancements including a 100GB drive plus it retains the ability to natively read flash memory cards of various formats just like the MVP (plus it doesn't come in Bright Red!).

I have the ZVM also, but you can only assign a portion of the hdd to appear as an external drive (for data transfer), the rest of the drive must be managed through Windows Media Player or Creatives Media Manager software.

Windows Media Player or Creatives Media Manager software.

Zen's will also work with Media Monkey and Fobar sowftware, both freeware. They will allow a little more freedom....

Do the wolverine players support very high bitrate (lossless) WMAs and variable bitrate WMAs?