Typical price: £80
What is it: A small USB-stick style MP3 (technically ATRAC) player with extraordinary battery life
What we think: A great little player that is perhaps the finest in its class. The bundled SonicStage software is still a pig, but it's a much better behaved pig
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 29 August 2006
Tags: Sony, Sony NW-E003 (1GB), songs, headphones, love
We like:
Long battery life; sleek looks; rugged build
We don't like:
SonicStage software (though we felt substantially less suicidal over it than we have before)
You might also need:
You might want to replace the bundled headphones if you're an audiophile
CNET UK judgement:
It's been a while since an MP3 (or rather, ATRAC) player impressed us this much. Sony has nailed the small-form player and delivered everything you could hope for. Aside from the typically pointless SonicStage software, this is a master stroke
Full review:
With the fall of the Walkman empire, Sony assumed a rather dejected approach to the MP3 player market. The post-apocalyptic vision that was its MP3 software SonicStage saw to it that all but the most masochistic of users turned away from Sony players. Things were a little bleak for a while. First there was the embarrassing rootkit fiasco, then the Aibo was cancelled, then the Sony Bean. For a moment there it looked like it was time to pull out Sony's feeding tube. Continue Reading...
Sony NW-E003 (1GB) History
3 Apr 2006 in Crave
Fiddlesticks: Sony Walkman E002, E003 and E005
How much is that Sony in the window? Woof woof. The one with the waggly headphone lead. How much is that Sony in the window? I do hope that Sony's for sale
Others to consider
Latest user reviews
January 29, 2007
Posted by: Barbara Hughes
"Beautiful little gadget purchased for my sister who is also in love with it. Fantastic sound quality."
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