Creative Jukebox Zen

The Creative Jukebox may have been the first hard disk-based MP3 player but it wasn't until the Apple iPod came along that people started to take notice of such gadgets.

With the Jukebox Zen, Creative is clearly trying to steal back some of the limelight but if you have ever seen an iPod, you will appreciate how tough that is going to be.

No Creative hard disk MP3 player could be described as 'pocket-sized' but the Zen comes close.

It's about the size of a chunky personal cassette player and at just under 270g, not that much heavier. It's still a little too large to slip comfortably into a pocket but there's a padded vinyl case with a belt loop in the box.

Style-wise, the Zen isn't quite in the iPod's league. The case is made from brushed aluminium, which is at least less prone to scratches that the iPod's mirrored finish.

Inside is a 20GB hard disk that holds up to 5,000 near-CD-quality MP3s. Creative claims the rechargeable lithium ion battery lasts for 12 hours between charges.

The Zen comes with an external mains adapter but, usefully, it can also be recharged through its USB port.

The same can't be said of the FireWire port and this is unfortunate, since this is the port most people will use for transferring music.

The Zen has just six buttons and a clickable scroll wheel but no easy button lock function.

It's saddled with the clunky PlayCenter 3 MP3 ripping and management application too, but Red Chair Software's excellent Notmad Explorer now supports the Zen and can be downloaded from www.redchairsoftware.com/notmad for £16.

However, despite this, the Zen is audibly superior to the iPod.

A wired remote control would have made a nice addition to the package. Unfortunately that's an optional extra, but one that does at least add an FM tuner and sound recording to the Zen.

DETAILS Price: £329
Contact: Creative - no UK number
http://uk.europe.creative.com