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Really lovely kit, terrible software 12 Jan 2006
Given the iconic styling of the iPod competitors in this crowded marketplace are always going to have trouble coming up with a distinctive yet recognisable product. Some go for a generic version of the iPod, but Sony have created a player that, on looks alone, is well up there with Apple's machine.
Most of the time mp3 players are used in circumstances which are not ideal for sound reproduction, and certain compromises on absolute purity have to be accepted, but the Sony achieves this balance well. The bass is full and loud enough to be heard with a relatively high level of background noise, but it doesn't seem artificial in any way.
And yes, the screen really is a joy to look at. The only criticism is that it is monochrome, and therefore less advanced than machines by iriver, creative or the more recent iPods.
Unfortunately, there is a big catch, and that is the software supplied to load music onto the player. This machine is not as flexible as players from creative or iriver, and the lack of drag and drop functionality is a big hindrance. However, if the software were satisfactory, one could live with it. In this case, though, the software is slow and frustrating to use, especially if you have a large media library.
In the end, this is a toy for people with a few cds who want great styling and portability. However, if you want a device that allows you to make the most of your music collection on the move, I suggest you look elsewhere.
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