Sony NW-A 806 4GB - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Question: what's an ultra-slim, metal-bodied, undeniably cool MP3 player that comes in a variety of colours? Answer: it's not the one you're thinking.

Pros: Design, user interface, controls, excellent equaliser and sound settings, included EX monitor headphones

Cons: Price, reliance on poor SonicStage software, location of hold switch

Verdict: The NW-805 comes with a hefty price tag, but if you can overlook the reliance on SonicStage, this is a fine portable media player with an excellent design and good sound quality.

Review summary: Sony's ultra-slim, ultra-metallic NW-A808 takes the fight to the iPod nano with its sharp screen and video playback, but its high price might be its Achilles-heel.

Review summary: The Sony NW-A805 is an inexpensive, stylish and intuitive portable media player. Sony's NW-A805 Walkman could make Sony MP3 players as big a success as Sony's Walkman phones.

Verdict: Video playback, audio quality and the Sony NW-A805's design are all absolutely superb. The management software and playback options are good but not fantastic. Sony shook up the music player market with its excellent Walkman-branded mobile phones, and we

Review summary: At last, a sign that Sony is recovering from the insanity that has gripped it over the last few years. This flash-based Walkman has, counter to recent tradition, both a pleasantly usable interface and decent desktop software.

Pros: Good interface and software, Decent picture quality

Cons: Diminutive controls, Too much screen glare

Verdict: Sony has done well here, cramming a lot of features and functionality into a remarkable compact device