|  SanDisk
is a company well know for their flash memory cards (SD, Compact Flash and Memory
Stick PRO), which are widely used by computer users. The company has recently
introduced the new Sansa™ line of compact and lightweight flash-based digital
music players designed for maximum portability. The e130 ($99.99 with 512 megabytes)
and the e140 ($149.99 with 1 gigabyte) both support MP3 and WMA audio files and
are fitted with USB 2.0 interfaces for fast downloads. Our e130 review unit measured
only 2.9" x 2.17" x 0.55" and weighed 1.4 ounces without the battery.
The unit can store approximately 120 MP3 songs. Windows XP users need no additional
software to transfer files to the player and it will appear as a standard mass
storage device when connected. SanDisk says the unit can play up to 17 hours continuously
on a single AAA battery. The package includes the e130 player, a see-through carrying
case, a black armband, stereo earphones, an alkaline AAA battery, USB 2.0 cable
and the Quick Start guide and CD. It should be noted that the earphones included
with the e130 are in-ear earphones and not ear buds. We prefer these in-ear designs
as they not only fit better and are more comfortable, but they also greatly reduce
background noise.
The
new Sansa™ line also features SRS WOW® signal processing technology designed
to enhance the audio for a rich, immersive 3D sound quality. The processing also
improves the bass response going to the headphones. The built-in graphic equalizer
has five preset settings and a custom mode that can be adjusted. The small and
lightweight design makes it ideal for those who work out. The unit also features
a stopwatch that runs in the background while listening to music. The built-in
FM tuner works well outdoors, but can have some reception problems indoors where
the signal level varies.  A
small CD that contains software for managing music (Rhapsody™) and content
downloads is included with the unit. It also includes services for digital radio
(AudioFeast) and audiobooks (Audible®) with a wide range of listening options.
Rhapsody™
is a simple and fast way to enjoy digital music online with access to a huge library
of more than 850,000 songs and 65,000 albums. Individual music tracks can be purchased
online for 79 cents. Audible® is a source for audio magazines, newspapers,
radio programs and more. The service has more than 18,000 audio titles to choose
from and is ideally suited for those who would rather listen to publications.
AudioFeast™ also provides listeners with music, news, sports, and entertainment
programs for their MP3 player. SanDisk Sansa™ customers get a special 60 day trial
period and pay as little as $3.99 a month thereafter.
 Although
the Sansa™ e130 is small and only contains 512MB of flash memory, it does
includes an SD card slot for up to 2 gigabytes of additional memory. Downloading
songs into the unit is quite simple. The short USB 2.0 serial interface cable
included with the MP3 player is all that is needed to transfer music. Upon plugging
the unit into our laptop (Sony Vaio K23), the system immediately recognized it
and the unit appeared as an additional drive on our system. We simply dragged
our existing MP3 files to the drive and we were ready to listen to music. We especially
liked the fast USB 2.0 interface. The Menu button located on the right
side is used to turn the unit on and off as well as enable the menu features.
The top right side has a thumbwheel used to set the volume and select from the
menu items. There is also a Hold button to prevent the unit from being
changed by accidental button pushes. The face of the unit has tactile buttons
that have positive feedback when pressed. There is some latency between the button
being pressed and the action being taken.
Conclusion
The new Sansa™ e130 is a very compact and lightweight portable MP3 player
that is ideal for outdoor running or inside the gym. The user interface is intuitive
and didn't require us to even look at the manual to benefit from the features.
The audio performance was great for a portable unit and navigating through the
menus were easy. The blue backlit screen was easy to read and had excellent resolution.
The downside is that the unit currently does not support playlists. This is something
that can hopefully be added in future firmware updates. -
Kevin Nakano | 
