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Toshiba Gigabeat S30This svelte device performs multimedia tasks very well, though navigation could be more intuitive.
Toshiba's Gigabeat S30 (MES30VW) is meant to be more than just an audio player. It's a Portable Media Center, meaning that it runs Windows Mobile software and is able to download and play TV shows and movies in addition to playing music and displaying photos. The 30GB model costs $300 (as of 7/21/06); a 60GB model is also available.
The player (informally known as the Gigabeat S) is thin and lightweight--about the size of an iPod but slightly (0.2-inch) thicker. Its screen size is generous--2.4 inches diagonally--which makes watching videos as enjoyable as is possible on such a small device. The screen is bright and sharp, but even so it's too small to watch comfortably for extended periods. I'd be thrilled to watch an occasional music video, though. The player comes with Microsoft Windows Media Player 10, which can automatically convert videos into a suitable format.
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