Dell DJ (20 GB) MP3 Player

Pros: easy to use, musicmatch software works well,
Cons: poor reliability, very poor tech support from Dell

I've owned DJ for just over a year. Have been happy with performance and ease of use. Unfortunately the hard drive has failed (just outside warranty period). I spent much time on line and on the phone with tech support, was directed from one department to another (to parts dept. where they told me that there were no replacable hard drives for DJ). I was ultimately able to "repair" it by following advice of another DJ owner on line with the same problem: took it apart, got to the hard drive, banged on it. Now it works again, but for how long... next time-ipod

Pros: ease in downloading music
Cons: very afraid to use it. broke very easy.

my experience with the dell dj was less than perfect.
since we we're buying a dell computer we decided to buy the digital dj. I liked the idea of downloading music, but unfortunately this product did not last. after one year the harddrive crashed. they replace with refurbished item, which after a year the headphone jack broke. They will not replace because warranty expired.

Pros: Cheap, long battery
Cons: Heavy, bulky, it crashes very often if you move it

I never had ipod, so i can't compare. But this Dell DJ crashed all the time. If you don't move it, it works fine, but if you jog or walk while listening it, it crashes every 5 minutes or so. I won't recommend this.

Pros: Slightly cheaper than the ipod. Sounds great when it works.
Cons: Lasts about a year. No repair options.

I purchased a Dell DJ 20 in Dec of 2003. The unit was never dropped or mistreated. It simply stopped working in August of 2004. Dell sent me a new unit. In July of 2005, this new unit simply stopped working. Again, never dropped or mistreated. I visted the Dell site as well as the Dell DJ Forums. This type of hardware failure is chronic and well known to Dell.

I spoke with Technical Support and Customer Service. After over 3 hours, the offical response from Dell is that the unit is out of warranty, it can not be fixed and I should buy a new Dell DJ.

I would advise against purchasing a Dell DJ. It works great, while it works but will suddenly stop working one day and leave you without options. I spent over $250 on something that essentially lasts a year. I thought I was saving money by not buying the Ipod. I should have spent the extra $100 initially since I now have to purchase a whole new unit, plus accessories.

Pros: Awesome battery life, easy to operate, stylish
Cons: Music Match software

When getting a b-day present, my wife asked if I wanted an ipod or a Dell DJ. I chose the Dell mainly because I was sick of seeing so many others with the Ipod. Boy, did I make the right choice! The battery life is great, I can play my entire MP3 collection (over 4,000 songs) and with the car adapter & Belkin radio transmitter, it works great while driving.

Any complaints? Of course, everything has a fault. The MusicMatch software downright stinks. It seems like it is using all my computer's memory it can just to run. I'm going to try that Dudebox software I read on here, but I haven't done so yet.

The DJ has locked up on me twice, but I think both times were because of a corrupted MP3.

I'm going to buy my wife the Pocket DJ for Christmas... so that should tell you that I've enjoyed this product. Good job, Dell! Kick some ipod butt.

Pros: Small yet solid, great display, easy to navigate, huge capacity, inline remote and case packaged.
Cons: Don't care much for the MusicMatch software, earbud headphones, installation was confusing, poor accessories.

The 20 GB Dell DJ was a great deal considering it came packaged with a carrying case and inline remote and was only 50 bucks more than the 15 GB (which did not come with either). Not much bling factor, but I wasn't really looking for anything flashy or trendy. Sizewise, it's only slightly larger than an iPod but it's much heavier (which I like). It came packaged with earbud headphones which seemed good quality, but I typically prefer traditional headphones due to better sound. Easy to navigate and create playlists on-the-fly. MusicMatch software is so so... works fine but there are definitely some bugs. Battery life is AMAZING!

As far as accessories are concerned... not nearly as good as for the iPODs. No good cradles (the Belkin is absolute crap [do NOT get]) are available and compatible FM transmitters through Dell are pretty bad. More about the cradle... only serves to hold the player. Power and USB connector must still be connected to the player directly due to placement of ports.

Pros: LONG battery life, very easy to use, lots of nifty accessories
Cons: too big compared to others with similar features

It's very easy to use. I purchased it specifically because I knew it worked with MusicMatch Jukebox software which is what I've been using for years to download and rip music. All my music and playlists copied over flawlessly (the second time I synced . . . had issues the first time) and now when I connect it's very easy to modify and create new playlists. I can even create the lists on the jukebox itself when it's not connected though I can't re-order the songs easily.

Overall, it's very easy to use and the battery seems to last forever. Dell says it's 16 hours of battery life, and I would say that I always get that much use out of it before I have to charge it again.

My only complaint is that it's a little too big, more than 1/4 inch thicker and wider than an iPod as well as 2 ozs heavier.

Pros: Great disk space, 15 hrs battery life, cheaper!
Cons: Only slightly heavier than the iPod. Not enough to make it cumbersome though.

I was going to get an iPod, then I did some research. Turns out the Dell 20 GB DJ has more than double the battery life, better PC interfacing, same ease of use, and $100 CHEAPER than the comparable iPOD. Don't let apple rip you off - plus Dell has amazing 24 hour customer service!

Pros: everything I mentioned above
Cons: mine didn't come with a carrying case or a remote.

Ok while I was extremely dissapointed at first that I got the dell dj instead of the ipod my dissapointment soon left. I have read reviews on here regarding the dj and was extremely hesitant about it. It seemed that everyone either loved it or hates it. I love it. I charged it for 2 and a half hours like in the instrucitions, I put in the disc that it came with and bam before I know it I was ready to go and since my computer synced with it immediately I had only two choices to make. I could have musicmatch put all of my music on there automatically or I could do it mannually.....geez decisions decisions. I think from what I have done so far the dell people have got a winner. It is easy to use and Being that I am not very computer literate I feel if you can't use music match someone should hit you in the head with a tack hammer because you are a moron. Seriously though its not that hard to figure out. Way to go dell you guys did it.

Pros: controls are easy to learn, plays MP3, WMA, mp3PRO
Cons: i probably wont ever use the voice recorder

I have had my DJ for about a month! I can't stop telling people about it! The fact that this thing plays mp3PRO is really nice! The price was nice! and it has Dell's name on it so it must be good! With the 20 Gigs of space heck i can put my collection of Mp3's and yours and his and hers!

Pros: Easy interface... when it worked.
Cons: Hard drive crashed! Two products in a row...

I purchased the Dell 20 GB Jukebox in June. When it worked, it was exceptional. Unfortunately, it didn't work much... I was in frequent contact with customer support - which isn't all that easy to do. The chat service is difficult to log into and will direct you to the phone in the end! There is a known conflict with the MusicMatch software and Windows. The player frequently locked up and required more than one re-format (and, hence, a loss of all existing music). The hard-drive finally crashed earlier this month. To Dell's credit, they agreed to replace the player within 2 days. I received the refurbished replacement on time, but it crashed within the first 24 hours... After a lonnnnnnng (over 2 hours) call to customer service, I declined a third product...

Pros: Built well, long lasting battery good sound for a stock unit.
Cons: Down loading and organizing play list.

I did not like the headphones so I purchased the Etymotic 6S. ( Yes they are worth the investment...dead quite) Then I purchased an amplifier to boost the output signal. Put it in a handy traveling pouch and my oh my what a difference.

Frankly I would have done the same with the Apple. I always felt that the overall sound of both units were good but needed a push to move to the next musical level.

Downloading songs is a pain in the butt. However I can live with it. I agree if you download an album-cd it does not record the songs in the same order. What gives here?

The unit is not the latest in leading edge design. Rather it reminds me of an old am-fm hand held radio I had back in the 60-70's. Built well but ugly.

All in all I am very happy with my purchase. Walking the dog is more enjoyable. Plus when reading I can listen to my favorite tunes without bothering the family.

Keep an eye open to the Dell web page. They will offer discount pricing.