Archos Gmini XS 202

You're not interested in video and photo functions? You mainly want a player that's simple to use to listen to your music and store a few documents? And you don't want to be weighed down by it? Unless you're a real stickler for aesthetics, the Gmini XS 202 is for you. Extremely small and light (only 4.2 oz. - 119 g), this unpretentious player has a storage capacity of 20 GB that is as easy to use for listening as for storing data. Two storage methods are available. Either you use the Microsoft PlaysForSure protocol and synchronize the Windows Media Player 10 library with the player, or you drag/drop the songs you want from one device to the other. That's by far the simplest solution, but it won't work with all DRM material. But whatever solution you use, once disconnected from the PC, the ARCLibrary software will automatically classify your files by type, artist, album and title. Used by itself, the Gmini XS goes right to essentials. The freedom from additional functions (no radio, no voice recorder and not even a little clock), makes navigation extremely simple with the central joystick.

Change Earphones

The sound lacks a little body compared to the Apple iPod, but can compare favourably to the rest of the competition. Though a bit lacking at both extremes of the high and low sound spectrum, it doesn't induce major distortion and reproduces detail well. But count on buying a different set of phones. The cheapo ones that are bundled with the unit are not worthy of its quality and smother the sound. So if you use it in noisy surroundings like commuter trains and subways, you'll need to crank up the volume. The battery life, however, is good, with 18 hours worth of listening.

Looks are clearly not this player's strong point. It's about as elegant as a pocket-sized concrete block, with the only concession to visual pleasure being its blue backlighting. The controls are reduced to a minimum (two buttons and a joystick on the front), and laid out in purely utilitarian fashion. On the other hand, this is the smallest, lightest, most practical and least expensive player we tested. So it's a choice between fashion and practicality!