First Take: Creative's MP3 lineup - Reviews - Cool Gear - Audio

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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First Take: Creative's MP3 lineup

August 05, 2003
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/audio/soa/First-Take-Creative-s-MP3-lineup/0,139023372,120276843,00.htm

We take an early look at the Nomad Muvo NX and Jukebox Zen NX.

Nomad Jukebox Zen NX
The Nomad Jukebox Zen NX is the newest member of Creative's family of hard-drive digital-music players. It debuts in August with 20GB and 30GB versions selling for $499 and $599, respectively.

Upside: The NX models are just a shade thinner and lighter (20mm and 42 grams respectively) than their predecessors. Battery life is rated at the same 14 hours, but a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion cell has succeeded the old Zen's sealed-case design, so you can replace a bum battery. Support for USB 1.1/2.0, rather than FireWire, ensures compatibility with just about every PC on the market.

Downside: These Zens come with earbuds instead of the previous model's beefier, wraparound headphones. Still absent are a built-in FM tuner and line-in recording. And even though Creative has made the devices smaller, they still look a bit hefty compared with the latest superslim iPods.

Outlook: The NX line isn't revolutionary, but it may be enough that these smaller, lighter Zens deliver capacities, features, and a form factor similar to those of the Apple iPod--at a lower price point.

Nomad MuVo NX
The original Nomad MuVo made its mark with a groundbreaking design and impressive sound quality. Due to hit stores in August, the next-gen MuVo NX adds an LCD and few other key features missing from its predecessor.

Upside: About the same size as a Zippo lighter, the MuVo plugs directly into your USB port for easy, cable-free file transfers, and it features an LCD, voice recording, clean sound, equalization options, an armband, and two battery components. It even comes with two different battery modules: one silver, and the other red.

Downside: With a list price of AU$299 for a 128MB player, the MuVo NX isn´t a bargain, especially when you consider that the memory isn´t expandable. Some users may want to wait for the 256MB version (AU$399), due to arrive in September.

Outlook: Despite its somewhat high price tag, the new MuVo should find a place among the hottest-selling MP3 players this year.