'Tis the season to be jolly… so it goes. It's time for presents and the Jolly old fat guy in a big red suit to commence dishing out freebies. In case you’re looking to buy yourself or give that certain 'anyone' a gadget this Xmas, a good option is a DAP or digital audio player or simply put – an mp3 player. It's simple, useful to cure ailments like boredom and comes in really handy while commuting, working out or just drowning out the outside world.

Here's a quick guide to buying that perfect DAP.

Form Factor
When looking to buy an mp3 player one of the first things you have to acknowledge is the size and weight. The device should be conveniently designed for optimum portability i.e. it should be small and light enough to carry around in your pocket without it leaving a bulge in an awkward position, if you know what I mean.


Next you should also find navigation easy. What I mean by that is that you should be able to easily access your files, folders, etc. Most players tend to have a five way nav-pad which is perfect for forwarding, rewinding or skipping tracks or simply scrolling through the menus and data.


The earphones should also be comfortable with a wire long enough to reach from your pant pocket to your ears with enough slack to move your head in all directions. One meter is just about right. This information should be available on the box. In-ear earphones may not be comfortable for everyone to use so you may want to check the style of bundled earphones that the player comes with before purchase. The little earphone sponges that are usually provided come in handy for securing the speakers in your ears as well as cushioning the sound a bit to prevent too much damage to your ears.


Portability
A loop to attach a strap is exactly what’s required to secure the player to yourself to avoid either theft or carelessness. Most of the smaller, lighter players come with neck straps while the slightly larger ones might have a hand strap. Cases etc. are usually available as accessories, but could also be bundled as a special offer. Look for this.


Connectivity and Support
A few players have a built in USB port so you’ll never have need for a wire. Furthermore, a player that uses a proprietary USB port could pose a bit of a problem in case you're not carrying the wire, traveling and your battery runs out, or you wish to copy files form someone else's PC. Almost all DAPs also charge via their USB port directly from the PC and some have an adapter from USB to DC as an accessory. Mini USB is usually the standard used in DAPs so if the player is equipped with this connectivity option it's no problem as cables are very easily available. The same cable is quite universal for other devices like card readers, some mobile handsets etc.