Product Review: IRiver PMC-120 Media Player - Good, but No IPod Killer

Ever since Apple came out with a small, simple device known as the iPod, the world has been abuzz about music and portable music players. However, while there was once only a few possible choices for those who wanted to listen to music on the go, that list has now increased to hundreds of possibilities. In fact, one needs only to walk through the electronics section at any major department store to realize how many different MP3 and media players really are available.

However, as common sense would say, with all of these different types of media players out there, some are definitely going to be better than others, and some are not even going to warrant a second look. Of those, perhaps one of the most interesting new devices is known as the iRiver PMC-120, a device with a unique look and some powerful features. Even though it may not exactly be able to compete with the iPod, it is still a great choice for anyone who is looking for something different.

What makes the iRiver so unique? Perhaps the first answer becomes obvious as soon as you look at the unit. Looking more like a Gameboy or similar device than a media player, the iRiver is operated horizontally instead of vertically, and features controls on the side of the unit. The screen is big, bright, and very crisp.

However, while one can use the unit to hold and view pictures, the actual quality of the pictures displayed is going to suffer, far more so than on a newer generation iPod. However, one nice thing about the iRiver is the simplicity and the ease of controlling everything. Menus are a breeze to snap through, and navigating through your favorite music becomes second nature after just a few minutes.

The actual quality of the sound is great, and with a good pair of headphones, you will be given crisp, clear transmission of your favorite music. However, listening is not recommended through the onboard speaker that is placed on the unit, as the overall volume is very low and the quality is going to suffer quite a bit.

The battery life on the unit is great, and simply by turning down the brightness you can get another couple of hours of battery life out of it. Likewise, the time it takes to charge is pleasantly quick, although using the video function will drain the battery fairly quickly.

However, one of the only complaints to be had about the iRiver is the 20GB hard drive size. One can no obtain an 80GB iPod for around $250.00, and a 160GB for only about a hundred more. The iRiver costs right around $250, depending on the source and will only hold a limited amount of data. True, to those without massive libraries, this will not be a big deal, but it is one more factor to consider before purchasing it.

True, the iRiver may not be the next great thing in MP3 players, but it definitely has the potential to make its customers happy. From the unique and durable design of the unit, to the great quality playback, to the fun and easy to navigate display, the iRiver is truly a great choice for those who want something to listen to other than an iPod, although the high cost and limited size of the hard drive prevent it from being something which is truly extraordinary.