A broad array of features, but this PMP feels like it’s being left behind

It’s more tweaky and involved than most players, but it’s also got far more features

The PC peripheral finally hits the mainstream with this easy-to-use touchscreen device offering loads of extras

The ultimate, but drastic, solution to skipping car CDs.

Not without its impracticalities, but the touch is a simply brilliant marriage of software and hardware

UMPC-like features and a spacious hard disk make the Archos appealing, but it’s only good for entertainment.

Beautiful, yet expensive. And with the iPhone's forthcoming release, is it worth it?

After all the media speculation, Apple has finally dipped its toe into the world of mobile video with the launch of the new iPod.

For the price, this unit doesn't have a lot going for it. It is clumsy to operate, and the display is too small. It has a slot for a Memory Stick, although a 'MagicGate' adaptor is required.

As the iPod continues to be enhanced, and storage capacity increased, we had a look at the latest from Apple.

Compact, rugged and at a mere 45g (without batteries), the Philips psa[128max MP3 player, badged 'Nike', is geared towards consumers who want to get physical with good sound.

The Nomad Jukebox Zen is Creative-s go at aping the Apple iPod (November 2002, page 40), an MP3 player built around a notebook hard drive, and has done a remarkable job of it.

With solid-state media still expensive and offering limited capacity, MP3 players with hard disks seem like the perfect solution.

Excellent audio with a cool factor.

The major difference with the Net MD MZ-N1 and previous MD players is that it features PC connectivity. The only way you could connect previous MiniDisc players to a PC was either with an optical digital output from your soundcard (and then manually record the audio signal on your player) or by purchasing an expensive accessory from Sony.

The WAITEC Clipp represents an interesting fusion of technology, and has the distinction of being the first portable MP3 player that also doubles as a 4x CD writer.

The eXpanium is an MP3 CD player that uses a near-standard CD display, showing only track and album numbers and times, and has six transport control keys scattered over the lid. In addition to the usual functions, these provide 30 track programming, track and disc repeat and shuffle modes.

For Sony, the advent of MP3 must have been a particular irritation. After all, well before MP3 achieved any popularity Sony had released its own perceptual encoding/compression system for digital audio: ATRAC.

The idea behind a MP3 CD player is probably a little ahead of its time. We first looked at the M3PO a few issues ago (issue 30, p95) and found some criticisms to go with the unit. Those criticisms remain, and we toss in some more with this second look.