Review - MP:Chic - Compact 128MB MP3 Player

Reviews - MP:Chic - Compact 128MB MP3 Player

"In our opinion the best looking mid-budget MP3 player on the market.

It lives up to its name Chic… who could refuse that circular blue backlit display?"

Tape killed the LP, the CD killed the tape, Minidisk never really got past primary school, but MP3 is sure to be the death of the CD. Sound like some complicated plot from Cluedo? No, if you haven't been living down a well for the past few years you will already know of MP3, we wont patronise you there. But many people still faithful to their mountainous collections of CD's will go out and buy compact CD players with their hard-earned cash. Granted some of these are quite snazzy and there constantly shrinking, but are they really worth it?

Of course not! MP3 Players are a) smaller b) snazzier and c) more convenient. If your reading this, the chances are that you have a PC. Now if you're the type with millions of CD's clogging up the house, then surely it makes sense to 'rip' them all to your PC. This is the process whereby the tunes on your CD's are converted to MP3's for use on the groovy little gadget were about to review. Simple as that.

If you can bear the name of the MP:Chic then chances are you will love the product. This player is one of those design classics. Comes in a variety of colours and memory sizes (128 - 256MB). Unfortunately the memory size is non-expandable, but quite frankly who cares?

Where the Chic really come into its own is its functionality, the layout and number of buttons is exactly what you could want as you bop along the streets. The innovative use of jog-dial to forward, stop/play/pause and rewind makes for easy track selection on the move. Volume buttons are positioned clearly and there is a discreet menu button on the side as not to clutter the appearance of things. The Chic has all the menu buttons one would expect with equaliser presets to get the best from your sound and settings for the LCD display.

The display sets the trend for 'retro' - a chrome like finish around the circular LCD display with blue backlight is outstanding - Just be sure not to wonder anywhere near the MI5 offices or you may be mistaken for a terrorist planting some kind of bomb… And when you do explain to the men in black what exactly your new gadget is; they will probably confiscate it and use themselves.

Connectivity software is adequate, but setting the order of your tracks can be a trifle time consuming. Unlike some other MP3 players out there, Windows XP does not recognise the device as a storage drive - So no drag'n'drop from my computer.

Another thing that could stump you is that jog-dial. When your on the move without a care in the world, you could find it a little frustrating knowing which way to move the dial to skip forward/back etc… but of course you could always take it out of your pocket and have a look.

The MP:Chic… we haven't heard of the company, we haven't seen anything like it before, its packed with ultra-modern technology and runs for hours on a single AA battery. The only possible explanation is that its some kind of alien being from another planet that has settled on earth and is multiplying by the minute. Climb out of your well, throw your CD player back down it, and buy the MP:Chic - If anything solely to be the envy of your mates.