SanDisk Sansa Clip 1 GB MP3 Player (Black)

I bought this at Wal-Mart and attempted to return it when I found out it jumbled the files I ripped from CDs of audio books obtained from the library. Wal-Mart refused to accept the return because I lacked a receipt so I came home and figured out how to tag the files so they would play in proper order. It takes an additional 5 to 10 minutes for each book to do this but the extra time invested is well rewarded. It's a great little player that is a pleasure to use. The only other drawback is its lack of a replaceable battery. It burns me that I will probably have to replace the complete unit because of eventual battery failure and it is annoying to have to stop listening to recharge the battery. Also I'll probably also have to purchase a battery charger for when I'm away from my computer. When I started writing this review I was going to give the unit 4 stars but now that I've gotten all worked up about the battery I'm going to give it just 2 stars. I sure wish it had a replaceable AAA battery. I think I'll make a more thorough search for my receipt from Wal-Mart.

I was looking for a small, light, simple mp3 player and this one is perfect. It has exceeded my expectations in every aspect. It's very small, very light, and easy to use. It actually has more features than I needed. The clip is very nice since I want to use this while I run.

I wanted an MP3 player with FM radio reception, to listed to NPR when I exercise daily on my treadmill or recumbent bike. Some of the reviewers complained about poor FM radio reception, so I was concerned, and frankly expected I would be returning it. However, my experience has been very good. Reception is excellent.

Bought this to listen to talk radio podcasts. It's perfect for that. Music? I don't know. Easy to load and use. Works very well with Media Monkey. Battery lasts for a long time. Really glad I purchased it.

It's said that you get what you pay for, but sometimes you get a little more. Although I reserve final judgment on the Sansa for the 6 mo. milestone, I am initially quite impressed.

Pros:
-Inexpensive ($35 for 1GB, OLED screen)
-Tiny, but clip makes it easy to use
-Basic features are intuitive; plug in, drag and drop to Music
Cons:
-More advanced features require some wrangling and Rhapsody?
Unknown:
-Durability?

Since I have no experience with high-end mp3 players, I can't definitively say how the Sansa stacks up. However, compared to my previous iPod Shuffle (first generation), it has been performing better in every way. The OLED screen can be read even in bright sunlight, and the controls are just as intuitive. The clip makes carrying it around a cinch, as you can clip it to your belt or even shirt pocket or collar. The only complaint I have is that figuring out how to use it with my existing music player programs on the computer is a bit of a hassle. Beyond that, it just remains to be seen whether the Sansa can compete in durability; my Shuffle finally fell apart at the ripe old age of two and a half years. Overall an excellent player but I cannot conscientiously recommend it until I have owned it for another few months.