Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox (Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of our biggest frustrations with MP3 players has been their limitedstorage capacity. You'll typically get 64 MB via internal memory or memorycards, which provides just a little over an hour of near CD-quality MP3 audio.So when we heard that Creative was releasing a 6 GB player that can hold over100 hours of music, it sounded perfect. Soon we'd be rifling through a massivecatalog of tunes on our little player, from Elvis Costello to LL Cool J to MilesDavis, whenever the whim struck.

The Nomad Jukebox is essentially a portable hard drive with software that willplay MP3 audio. Since hard drives include spinning and moving parts, this playeris not ideal for active MP3 users from joggers to snowboarders.

We cracked open the box, inserted the rechargeable batteries (two sets of fourAAs are included), plugged in the AC adapter, and waited the recommended 12hours for them to charge initially. This is a very important step. This was oursecond set of batteries--we didn't bother to heed Creative's initial chargingdirections when we first got the product, and our first set of batteries soonlost the capacity to be recharged.

After installing the included software (we tested the Jukebox on a Macintosh G4using SoundJam MP; for PCs, Creative includes PlayCenter 2) and connecting theUSB cable, we quickly deleted 2 GB of starter MP3 and audiobook files andstarted loading our own music. We started with about 500 songs, but noticedafter the load had finished that not all the songs made it onto the Jukebox.Also, the SoundJam software didn't like us doing any other work on our Mac G4,stalling out the load whenever we switched to another program.

We found it was best to load in smaller numbers and to keep SoundJam up as theactive application (unfortunately, not the most efficient use of computer time).The transfer rate is about 6 minutes per 100 MB, which translates to around 25songs. (So far, we've loaded 861 songs and we still have over 2.3 GB left ofstorage.)

Once music has been transferred to the Jukebox, you need to create an activeplaying list by navigating one of three lists--artists, albums, and genres--thenadding songs to the queue. (This points out the need for creating thorough ID3tags, an electronic label that can include song title, track number, year, andmore. ID3 tags can be created via the PlayCenter and SoundJam software manuallyor be imported from the online CDDB database. For more information abouttagging, see the Amazon.comMaking MP3s Guide.) Playlists canbe saved in the Jukebox, though it can be a bit tedious (there's no keyboard),and you can't add songs to an existing playlist.

The Jukebox also sports some nice additions. It has a line-in recordingcapability (using an external microphone) that records WAV files that can beadjusted for optimal (or low-end) sound quality, and it can play audiobooks.

The biggest downside to the Nomad Jukebox is its portability. As noted, it doesrun on rechargeable batteries, but they'll last far less than the advertised twohours. Also, this isn't the device to take jogging; its internal hard drive,though somewhat shock and motion resistant, just won't take that kind ofactivity. It's really made for stationary play using its included AC adapter.

It also has a few playback glitches, the biggest being that you can't fast- forward or rewind within a song. Also, there's no bookmark feature for audiobooklistening--a necessity for long files.

Ultimately, the Creative Nomad Jukebox isn't perfect and isn't suited foreveryone's MP3 needs. But it has become a staple of our gadget life--it travelswith us daily to the office and hooks in nicely into stereo systems, both athome and at friends' houses. Someday, we'll all wonder what we did without anMP3 jukebox. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• 6 GB of storage is massive--over 1,000 songs
• Several methods for selecting playlist songs (artist, album, and genre)
• Line-out for connecting to stereo systems, and line-in for recording

Cons:

• Battery power is sucked up quickly
• Prone to skipping/stalling when used in heavy activity

... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• ADPCM
• Portable digital audio player with 6 GB of built-in storage (over 100 hours of CD-quality music)
• Plays MP3 files; upgradable to support other formats (such as WMA) and is SDMI compliant
• USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac
• Weighs only 14 ounces and measures the size of a portable CD player
• Comes with headphones, rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, and carrying pouch; "In the Media: ""Creative Lab's Nomad Jukebox is a monster product for the serious digital music freak."" --Pen Computing"

Reviews (100)

Dies after one song
For me, this mp3 player is great for holding all of my music-I downloaded all my Cd's and still have room for more.

My problem is this:When I unplug it from teh wall to take it out running, it plays, then dies after one song.I replaced teh rechargeable batteries, but it keeps doing the same thing.It just freezes up and I can't press any buttons.Then I have to wait until it says "shutting off, not in use" before I can try turing it back on again.

Best MP3 player for its time
When this item first came out, it was the best thing ever invented. I had it for about 8 months before I upgraded the hard drive to a 30gb. I took this thing everywhere with me (even to bed at night). It became an obsession. I purchased the car adapter kit from jukeboxaccessories.com so that I could take it along with me for long trips and listen to kiyosaki audio books.

Great when Jukeboxes were first coming out
Well, I own the original Nomad Jukebox 6GB, and I've had it for a year and a half. No lie, a year and a half, functioning. But I'm upgrading to a Nomad Jukebox 3 in a couple weeks. I'm obsessed with music. Anyways, Lets start with the main annoyance, the battery life. You can get four hours if you're really lucky, but count on three and a half. If its plugged into the wall though, you obviously wont have to worry about anything. The player itself is pretty shock-proof; I haved dropped it many times, and it still works to this day. It IS a bit bulky but hey it's better then carrying around 150 CD's. You will have to restart it alot, especially when the batteries get low. Don't even bother with that stupid reset pin, just yank out the batteries. The sound is more than great, I can definetly give it that. People shouldn't complain about the headphones supplied with it, because honestly; who actually USES stock headphones? Of course they [are bad]. The sound is nice and loud, and the presets make it even better. Navigating on the player was always pretty easy for me once I got the hang of it, and the green backlight is nice, you'd be suprised how bright it is. The Playcenter 2 thing is the only thing I have ever used so I can't complain about it. It's kind of annoying at times though, be prepared to restart your computer once in a while. As for transfer speeds, my computer is ancient so I know nothing but USB 1.1. It's pretty slow compared to a nice computer with FireWire or USB 2.0 but I usually only rip CD's so it doesnt matter. As old as this MP3 player is, people will still get incredibly jealous of you. It all depends what you're looking for. With things like the iPod and the Nomad Jukebox 3, and even that hideous looking Archos thing, this MP3 player doesnt really stand up to the competition. However it IS cheaper then most of the new jukeboxes, and if you can stand the battery life and you're on a budget then this is a great MP3 player to invest in, if you TAKE CARE OF IT! If you arent to short on cash and you're big on features, memory, and battery life then I suggest looking elsewear. The Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 is a good alternative in that case. ... Read more

Asin: B000026D6I
Subjects:  1. 6 (MB) megabytes    2. MP3    3. mp 3    4. Portable Audio    5. MP3 MP 3 Player    6. Jukebox    7. MP3 Player (MP 3)   

Linksys WAP11 Wireless-B Network Access Point
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $69.99 -- our price: $47.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Linksys Instant Wireless Access Point (WAP) serves as communicationsheadquarters for a reliable 11 Mbps wireless network. We found the WAP, used in conjunction with the Linksys Instant Wireless PC Card (and PCI adapter if the wireless card is used in a desktop PC) and a hub or switch, to be a true leader in the move toward wireless networking. In case you're confused, here's a graph illustrating the differences between an access point and a router with access point:

The unit itself is handsome and somewhat reminiscent of the rabbit-ears antenna system used on older televisions. Installing the WAP involves several steps. A USB connection allows for configuration, and installing the USB configuration software allows for monitoring and adjusting settings such as channel, IP address, and service set identifier (SSID). Connecting the unit to a hub or switch using Category 5 cable (which is not included) gives the WAP network access and the ability to begin sending meaningful signals.

The WAP has three indicator lights: Power, link, and activity. The link indicator lights up amber when a link is established with the hub, and the activity light flickers somewhat uncertainly when there is network activity. The antennas can be adjusted left and right, and we found that pointing them in the direction of the wireless computer resulted in a stronger signal.

We found the accompanying user guide somewhat lacking; it gave little guidance on how the network can be configured. And the customer service hotline unfortunately does little more than refer you to your computer's manufacturer. Those who are new to networking may want to bone up on the basics before beginning on a wireless network endeavor--plenty of resources exist on the Web and in print to guide your networking foray. But for those who are transforming an existing wired network into a wireless one, the transition will be fairly painless and straightforward.

In use, the WAP performs well: In the same room, the signal strength to and fromthe Linksys wireless network card is consistently above 95 percent. We separated the card from the access point by one plaster wall and found that the signal strength was reduced to around 80 percent. Separating them with a closeted wall pulled the signal strength down to about 50 percent. At opposite ends of the home (with numerous plaster walls between), the signal strength maintains at about 35 percent.

The rate of data transmission declines proportionately, starting at an ideal 11 Mbps and dropping to 3 or 4 Mbps at extreme distance and separation.While still reliable, the main difference in performance we noticed was in the basic data-transmitting functions: Slower copying, pasting, opening, and access of resources on other network nodes. While these speeds don't lend themselves well to intensive LAN game play, they are suitable for sharing data between resources, as well as sharing print resources.

Overall, the Linksys wireless package is optimal for those not wishing to stringcable throughout a home or office. While performance and speed are comparable toslower wired networks, this is a ready solution for those who need a world without wires, for whatever reason. This package is also ideal for those who arecomfortable with networking configurations and troubleshooting, and are ready totake the leap into wireless. --Emilie Dirks

Pros:

• Easy resource sharing that's ideal for small office and home office
• Simple installation and fairly straightforward configuration

Cons:

• Transmission speeds much lower than current fast Ethernet connections (on wired networks)
• Lackluster customer support and documentation

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

... Read more

Features

• Router not included, so you cannot connect multiple users to the Internet
• High-speed transfer rate of up to 11 Mbps
• Range of operation of up to 150 meters indoors, up to 500 meters outdoors
• Provides roaming, best access point selection, load balancing, and network traffic filtering
• Interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4 GHz-compliant equipment, and supports up to 32 users/nodes

Reviews (201)

Generally buggy - a popular choice for no good reason
I can't stress how much stress this device has caused. It seems that it's going to do the job properly and then insidious problems creep in that get worse and worse until everything goes horribly wrong.
Terrible support and worse companion products mean that this access point will cost you more in sweat and tears than any other piece of electronics you may own - and it's unlikely to get better due to this area of gadgetry 'moving on' to new faster standards.
Advice is - if you want to stick to cheap and cheerfull 802.11b hardware - avoid linksys kit like the plague and keep doing your research to find a good alternative.

Waste of time and money
Although the unit indicated it had power and was linked to the network the set-up software could not find it. I will have spent $16 and hours of frustration by the time I ship it back. Tech support was useless.

No More Linksys
In years before Cisco purchased Linksys, I was a loyal customer. Since then things have changed. Poor quality (I too have gone through 2 WAP-11's in less than four years), Poor support: Long hold times, out-sourced to another country and a seeming lack of focus on model design and direction (have a look at the number of WAP-11 firmware revs's and sub models and lack of firmware upgrade paths)

I'm all done. I'll be over at Netgear.

... Read more

Asin: B00005854B
Subjects:  1. Linksys   

Linksys WPC11 Wireless-B Notebook Adapter
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $59.99 -- our price: $42.74
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC card allows you to share printers, files, and more anywhere within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you in touch.

The Instant Wireless card gives you the freedom to work your way, from where you want--letting you take full advantage of your notebook PC's portability while providing you with access to all your network resources. A high-powered built-indiversity antenna means that you're covered--at a distance of up to 150 meters (492 feet) inside and 500 meters (1,640 feet) outside. And because it occupies only one Type II PCMCIA slot, you're free to use your other slots for additional accessories.

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Because they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outsidethe home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

... Read more

Features

• Works with all standard Internet applications
• 11 Mbps high-speed transfer rate
• Advanced Power Management features conserve valuable notebook PC battery life
• Compatible with Windows Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP
• Rugged metal design with integrated antenna

Reviews (404)

Worked for me - Windows 2000, 4 year old IBM thinkpad
Lotsa folks seem to be having a problem with this card.
Worked for me even with an older laptop and an ancient install of Win2k. Took me 5 minutes to select the right settings. After that I was up and running. I walked around the house with the laptop; signal strength was solid.
I guess this card works well with some laptop configs and not with others. I got lucky.

Pain with Win XP (home)
For some reason, the version 4 of this card never worked with my Win XP home edition. The driver Linksys provided would cause my laptop to, at best, to stall and crash at other times. I just could not get it to work. My room-mate also had one (Win XP Pro). The driver didn't cause any problem on his system but he had other problems. For one the card would not find or connect to the access point if it's right next to it!! I would strongly suggest products of other brands as opposed to Linksys (I had a linksys access point which I got rid off!!)

Horrendous
Apparently, the dowloaded driver created an MSVCRT.DLL:rtlgetntversion error message which froze my Win 98 machine upon restart.Three hour-long conversations with hardworking Compaq support staff in India and my poor machine remains stuck in some form of safe mode. I await a call from "second-tier" support.
Linksys staff were quick to blame Windows and offered no support.
Buy something else. ... Read more

Asin: B000056SSM
Subjects:  1. Adapters    2. Accessories (Accessory)    3. Linksys   

Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $79.99 -- our price: Too Low To Display
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Linksys EtherFast cable/DSL router connects multiple PCs to a high-speed broadband Internet connection or to an Ethernet backbone. Configurable as a DHCP server, the EtherFast router acts as the only externally recognized Internet device on your local area network (LAN). The router can also be configured to block internal users' access to the Internet. A typical router relies on a hub or a switch to share its Internet connection, but the Linksys EtherFast router channels this connection through the full-duplex speed of its built-in EtherFast 10/100 four-port switch. This combination of router and switch technology eliminates the need to buy an additional hub or switch and serves your network as a completely dedicated, full-duplex backbone. Now your entire network can enjoy broadband Internet connections supported by its switched backbone. This unit requires an external cable or DSL modem with an Ethernet RJ-45 interface. This product comes with a one-year warranty.

Note: All Linksys routers now include a special edition of Norton Internet Security! Claim your free CD-ROM by calling (800) 814-0180, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific, seven days a week. ... Read more

Features

• Configurable via Web browser
• Connects four PCs to the Internet using a single IP address
• Built-in 4-Port 10/100 switch for sharing broadband
• Securely connect from your home office to the corporate network via VPN
• Includes DHCP server or client and supports PPPoE

Reviews (1051)

Easy to Use But Short Lifespan
Yes, this router is easy to use, setup and does exactly what you would expect.However, it's disposable.Expect to buy another one within a 2-3 years.After just over 2 years, mine died (it only came with a 1 year warrenty).While it still works, I have to reset it by unplugging it and then plugging it back in several times a day (like 10-20).Then you have to wait about a minute for all the computers to deal with the reset.This sort of disposable lifespan seems pretty par for the course for Linksys consumer products.

Linksys does great for the home
I'm running a Dell box with Windows 98 and a Gateway with Windows 95.

I did quite a bit of research on different units and even considered the D-Link, etc.But upon my limited knowledge of the Linksys rep. and a friend's input, I purchased the BEFSR41.

I brought it home and installed everything.I had it configured and up in running in a matter of minutes on my Windows 98 box.It's super easy and user friendly to install and set-up.It also kept my network up and going as well.And..It seems plenty secure.

If you're looking for a great entry level router, this would be the one I'd recommend for the home user and maybe evne the small business user.You really do not need to know a lot about networks to utilize it.

The only real complaints I have is that I have to click the "Connect" button twice on the Status > Router screen when I'm connecting to the Internet; and even though it seems I can usually connect to my network, both machines do not appear/display in my Network Neighborhood all the time.But in fairness this could just be some issue between the 2 machines.

Splitsville
Hello All,

I purchased this unit as part of my multi-layer approach to computer security. While there are many other brands that I could have purchased the fact that 99% of routers that my clients are using are Linksys models this alone speaks volumes. The setup of the unit was painless and in less than 5 minutes, I had the unit configured and working flawlessly. I would not hesitate to purchase this unit again nor would I hesitate to recommend it to anyone needing a unit like it.

Ciao! ... Read more

Asin: B00004SB92
Subjects:  1. Networking (Network)    2. Routers    3. Linksys   

Canon ZR10 Digital Camcorder
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $899.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Canon ZR10 excels at providing quality digital video footage in a small form factor. The 10x optical zoom Canon lens gets you right in the action, while image stabilization helps prevent unwanted shakes and jitters from creeping into your important footage. The ZR10 has been designed for point-and-shoot simplicity, making it easy for even beginners to shoot great videos. A number of different programmed auto-exposure modes (including sand and snow,sports, portrait, and low light) automatically adjust settings to take the worry out of shooting in challenging conditions.

Besides the different programmed auto-exposure modes, the ZR10 also offers three different shooting modes. You'll probably leave the camera set to normal movie mode a majority of the time. Digital photo mode lets you use the ZR10 as a digital camera, recording a still image for six seconds on the miniDV tape, and allowing audio commentary. There's a lot of flexibility here: you can switchbetween movie and digital photo modes and create a unique collage of stills and video. Finally, the digital motor drive mode uses the progressive-scan CCD to capture a full noninterlaced 30 frames per second. This means you can use the footage as a series of independent photographs.

As a DV camcorder, the ZR10 has an IEEE 1394 port for digital editing, or for transferring footage between IEEE 1394-compliant devices, such as computers or other DV camcorders. The ZR10 also features S-Video input and output. Analog inputs allow you to transfer old footage to DV for archiving. Digital effects include art, black and white, mosaic, and sepia; built-in faders help ease scene transitions. ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV
• Digital image stabilization for reduced movie shakiness
• Captures digital stills
• 10x optical, 200x digital zoom Canon lens
• 2.5-inch color swivel LCD monitor
• Records in MiniDV format

Reviews (43)

VERY ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED
Mine was great for a while, but now it eats tape too.It's COMPLETELY useless.Canon knows there is a design flaw, and they should fix them for free or provide compensation to users.

ZR-10 tape stuck
Me to my tape is stuck in the camera. Canon, i will nerver buy your product anymore. The end.

Disappointed
Thank goodness I found this problem before the baby was born and after copying tape data to my Mac.

Currently a tape is stuck in my ZR10, a.k.a., paper weight.I spent several HRS copying important wedding videos before encountering this problem.After reading several other message boards and Cannon's FAQ's this is a widely known and accepted problem with the ZR10.I just hope the stars align and I can recover my current tape.After reading other reviews, it does not sound promising.

Luckily I only paid $100 for my used ZR10, so I definitely won't get it fixed and definitely will not buy another ZR10.The sick thing about this problem is that it sounds like Canon knows about this problem, butare unwilling to offer to fix it.That is a good way to loose this customer. ... Read more

Asin: B00005045X
Subjects:  1. Camcorder (Camcorders)   

PalmOne Vx Handheld
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

At only 4.7 by 3.2 inches square and 0.4 inches thick, the Palm Vxhandheld is truly pocket sized; however, this model sports a hefty 8 MB of RAM.The Palm Vx handheld also sports a sleek exterior that looks supercool--anintangible value to be sure, but one that's hard to argue with.

The Palm Vx handheld offers the same improvements to its screen that were madeto the Palm IIIx. These updates since the Palm III handheld include a farsharper screen and contrast-variable backlighting, which makes the Palm Vxhandheld much easier to use in low-light conditions. Rechargeable lithium-ionbatteries, which charge while the unit sits in its HotSync cradle, make batterylife a nonissue.

You can synchronize Palm handhelds with your computer so that you can carry allyour appointments, notes, contacts, and e-mail with you. The simple one-touchinterface makes sense to new and seasoned computer users alike. For owners thatprefer Microsoft Outlook to keep tabs on folks for business and pleasure, resteasy. With the simple installation procedure, and Outlook support out of thebox, you can transfer the data you have in Outlook, or start fresh with the PalmDesktop software. In addition, there are thousands of applications for the Palmoperating system available on the Internet that make your Palm handheld work aseverything from a universal remote to a digital book and restaurant guide.

We had no trouble setting up the device, synching with our PC-based Netscape e-mail,using the Graffiti character-recognition software, or working with theaddress book, date book, memo writer, to-do list, and all the other applicationsthat put the Palm OS on the map. All in all, this is a great upgrade to analready strong product. If this is your first Palm, it's a great way to start.

Pros:

• Palm OS interface is simple to use
• Easy to install and set up
• Uses rechargeable batteries
• Sleek, solid design can take some punishment

Cons:

• Not expandable (has a closed case)
• Case cover opens too easily

... Read more

Features

• 8 MB RAM
• HotSync cradle included
• Easily transfer data from your handheld to your PC or Macintosh
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Stores thousands of addresses, appointments, to-do items, memos, and more

Reviews (195)

Crashed three times
I don't see why this item is getting good reviews.It's crashed three times, losing everything.Now the battery won't completely charge.I never could get it connected to the computer.Makes me wonder about Palm.

Still worth it
In 2005, there are a lot of PDA called Pocket PC, but when you look at palm Vx, you will love it. You are able to put it in your suit or handbag and its glass screen provides you a crystal clear writing. I only need a PDA that take care my telephone list, my personal finance and bible reading. I don't need to listen MP3 or watching DVD on the road, and this palm just meet my need. You will love to carry it with you everywhere you go.

I agree that if you have a portable keyboard, you can even type your homework or paper in the library or anywhere in your home.

Personally, I like Palm OS rather than Pocket PC.

Great unit
I upgraded from a Palm Pilot Pro about 5 years back to a Palm Vx and then again this year to a Tungsten C. The Vx was a very reliable and robust unit (I got the hard case for it which makes it fairly indestructible) and did everything I needed for a long time. The reasons I upgraded were:
- colour screen so I could carry pictures and movies of my family with me, and watch DVD and MPEG movies (Tungsten C quality is fantastic for these). The colour also enhances all the applications, especially DateBk5
- WiFi just in case I needed to get email whilst away - though so far I've not been anywhere without an internet cafe in range !
- expansion slots so I could store and listen to audio MP3s and which alows me to make a complete compressed backup onto the expansion card (so I don't need a laptop with me nowadays as well)
- enogh memory to store DocsToGo, Ultralingua (French dictionary), Handbase and a few other apps which I use heavily

Unless you need/want any of this, the Vx will do the basics very well indeed. However, the Tc is pretty good too so far (and I can sync via WiFi anywhere in my house so the cradle I only need for recharging now) and you will certainly find useful things to do with the extra features and memory. ... Read more

Asin: B000031KIM
Subjects:  1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    2. Palm Connected    3. Handheld (Hand Held)   

JVC FS-SD5 Executive Microsystem
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $330.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Elegant. That's the best way to describe JVC's FS-SD5 ExecutiveMicrosystem. The brushed-aluminum main unit houses a 1-bit CD player, FM/AMradio with 45 presets, and a 19-watts-per-channel amplifier that drives a pairof seriously good little speakers--and that's just the basics.

Power up theFS-SD5 and its striking glass top plate slides back to unveil controls forvolume, source, CD, preset tuning, clock/timer, and JVC's Active Hyper Bass PROcircuit (bass boost, essentially). Press CD, and the top plate performs yetanother contortion, raising itself on motorized hinges to reveal the CD itself.When a disc is set in place, the drawer returns to the closed position andplayback begins.

The FS-SD5 sounds as elegant as it looks. Although eachported speaker enclosure contains just a single 3.2-inch full-range driver (madeof dense olefin fiber), they produce a clear midrange, with particularly strongvocal and instrumental reproduction. The bass is surprisingly full for suchsmall speakers, especially once Active Hyper Bass PRO has been engaged. Thehigh-frequency response is good, but not quite as airy as we hear with speakersthat have separate tweeters. Overall this system delivers a clean, warm soundthat can easily fill a small- to medium-sized listening space.

Othernoteworthy features include an optical digital output (for direct digitalrecording to minidisc or CD), stereo minijack input and output (for looping inan external source), electronic bass and treble controls, a dimmable florescentdisplay, and a subwoofer output that lets you hook up a powered subwoofer tobeef up the low end.

With a combination of great looks and fine sound, JVC'ssleek little FS-SD5 not only electrifies any room, it also outclasses most ofthe competition. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Elegant look and operation
• Clean, full sound
• Subwoofer output
• Digital audio output

Cons:

• MD/Aux in and out is miniplug instead of RCA
• Attenuated high-frequency response

... Read more

Features

• Optical digital-audio and subwoofer outputs
• Compact system with CD and tuner
• Horizontal, motor-driven CD drawer
• 19 watts per channel
• 1-bit dual digital-to-analog converters

Reviews (11)

Novelty Wears Off
This player is very sleek, modern, and entertaining to watch with its cool blue light and sliding glass door.The sound quality is also impressive.One reviewer mentioned that his cat enjoyed it--and after a while I found it was not good for much more than amusing pets.As someone else said, it made perfectly good CD's skip, that did not skip on any other player.If you take a look into the player, you'll see the CD wobbling from side to side as it spins--not good news.If you listen carefully, you'll notice that each song skips at the same part(s) every time you pop in the disc.That's because the bright, shiny, machine has scratched your CD.
My advice:
Don't buy this because you won't be able to enjoy your CD's on it, or ever again, as it will damage them.
If you own it, lock up your CD's until you get this deceptively cute music-eating monster out of your house.

Perfect for anybody
With the styling, size and quality you can place this system anywhere in your house or office and it will do all that you need it to.I put it in my living room and hooked it up to my tv and get a perfect sound booster for when I watch my movies.It is always a converstaion piece for the blue backlighting and moving glass top.Beware, it looks small but it packs a serious punch!

OK, but I wouldn't buy it again
Bought this product almost 2 years ago.It's a very stylish system with good sound quality at low to medium volumes.The sound quality suffers noticably at high volumes.I also have a problem with a lot of CD's skipping on this system that don't skip when played anywhere else.I've noticed that any CD played in this system will start to skip after a month or so of regular use. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SD8V
Subjects:  1. Microsystem, Micro    2. FSSD, 5, Five    3. Executive Microsystems    4. Compact System    5. Mini System    6. Mini Shelf System    7. Micro Component Stereo