Behind the Numbers for Storage Capacity

Gear Live has an excellent article on the way audio player makers can spin the capacity of their devices. Even though several different models all have a 20GB capacity, they will usually differ on how many "songs" they hold. The bottom line:

Whatever you do, don't take the manufacturer's word for it. Hard drives hold information, and whether it is a 20 GB Apple iPod, a 20 GB Dell DJ, or a 20 GB Sony Walkman - they all hold 20 GB of info. None holds more than the other.

That's sound advice. How many songs your player will hold depends entirely on you, what kind of music you prefer and, most importantly, the method of compression you choose and how much compression you are willing to tolerate.

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