As my friends will tell you, I am quite the “mac-vangelist.”  When it comes to design, functionality, and overall coolness all other computer companies are trying to keep up with Apple.  If there was ever a flaw in the Apple plan to take over the computer world, it would be there attempt to control everything from hardware to software.  This sort of control provides unparalleled integration but also leads to problems when one’s personal creative endeavors hit an Apple imposed roadblock.

Apple controls apps for iphone/ipad and much of the content released in iTunes.  As a result, when it comes to buying music online I almost exclusively turn to Amazon.com’s mp3 service.

First, Amazon allows you to purchase music in a DRM free (unrestricted) mp3 format.  I don’t have to worry about how I will use my music on various computers and media devices.

Second, Amazon has seamlessly integrated purchasing with my iTunes player.  As soon as I purchase music it is immediately downloaded and moved to my iTunes folder.

Third, Amazon is almost always cheaper per album and often has sales of entire albums for less than $5.  The other day they had almost 20 albums they were giving away!

Finally, despite the expected seamlessness of the iTunes music store with iTunes, I find Amazon’s more traditional website easier to navigate.