Returned a Sony NWZB-143B which was more expensive as the issues with the USB cover slipping off and it not being rated as Mac compatible (it did work, not well), Made me return this.
This was bought by me (Ipod Touch Owner) for my girlfriend to use to learn Spanish and listen to music whilst on holiday, and I chose it for the following features:
The expansion, this means that a 9.99 MicroSD of 8gb size will give you 12gb music.
Data transfer rates seem fine.
it really is small, the size of the shuffle but with: Screen, Expansion, Equalizer, controls, excellent build quality. Box also states a two year warranty, which is very good.
For the price, it's untouchable, the sound is as good as the previously acclaimed Sony sound, although I'd as always bin the headset for something like Sennheisers. That said, the menu means that YOU can organise the folders the way YOU want via drag and drop, and then use the p[layer to play your folders, rather than HAVING to use playlists etc.
Works fine with Win7 AND Snow Leopard, ALTHOUGH!!!
IMPORTANT BIT
The devcie supports MSC and MTP, this means that Win7 will default 1 and Mac will default another. Change between them to remove the tracks that come on it, and then change back as it's easier unless you're using WMP11 to make playlists, to the format MSC for both Mac and PC. This is because in different formats, the pc and mac show almost seperate devices, very confusing at first!
EQ is great, customisable and very effective at rounding sound, at least as good as the touch through decent headphones.
NEXT IMPORTANT POINT!
battery life is ok, especially for a device this size! BUT there are, in the setting menu, 2! sound levels, It was defaulted on mine to normal, which meant that it seemed quiet through the X-mini 2 I also bought her!. It was ok, but not the 'earth shaking' that I'd been lead to believe the X-mini 2 was capable of. If you change this to loud, it WILL hurt your ears at top whack through headphones, and also, the X-mini 2 will jump around at top whack from the bass and power! Will fill a room above talking volume around 4m x 4m easily, great for bedroom/holiday listening!.
I would say it has all the MUSIC functionality of my Ipod Touch, but in a simple, smooth (Slightly faster than Clip mark 1) user friendly interface. Able to listen to tracks within 30 seconds of turning it on as a new user, and able to do my own thing on it after USB charging. The USB cable is short, so good for charging and data withou metres of cable. The clip seems strong, and it's solidly built, no cover for USB or MicroSD slot but at less than an ounce weight clip it to your lapel and go!
Yes, I'd buy it again, Actually, I might buy a second one anyway as a backup for the gym when I don't want the weight of a touch in my pocket, and haven't remembered my normal Sony 2gb headphone MP3 player (NWZ-can't remember!)
+ FM Radio
+Size
+build quality and ease of use
+reasonable volume, good sound
+Expansion Slot
+Standard Connector (microUSB)
+2 year warranty
+ screen
+Voice recorder function AND will record from radio too! great if you hear a song you like on radio and want it until you can get home to buy it!
- 'only' does music!
Verdict = buy 1, hope that helps!