iriver E100

(2.5 out of 5)

MSRP: $109

Compatibility with a wide range of formats and memory expansion can’t save the E100 from being just another iPod nano also-ran.

Just by looking at the iriver E100’s expansive feature set—built-in stereo speakers, line-in recording, microSD Card slot, FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) support—it appears to be a compelling option for music fans. A wonky control pad and pedestrian design, however, keep the E100 from being a premier portable music player. E100 Design Measuring 3.6 x 1.8 x 0.4 inches and weighing just 2.1 ounces, the iriver E100 slides easily into a shirt or pants pocket without adding too much bulk. Our pink unit (it’s also available in Black, Chocolate, Sky Blue, and White) featured a 2.4-inch TFT LCD that’s nearly half an inch larger than the iPod nano’s, but photos and video still looked cramped on the 320 x 240-pixel screen. Colors were rich, but the on-screen image became distorted if we moved even a little left or right of center, not that you’d ever have to. The nondescript design reminds us of the Microsoft Zune minus the slickness, and the plastic body feels cheap. It definitely won’t incite envy from iPod nano users.

Read Full Review @ LaptopMag.com by Jeffrey L. Wilson