MSI Mega Stick 528

These days a portable digital media player needs to do more than play music and the Mega Stick certainly rises to the challenge. Along with 512Mb of internal memory (enough for about 120 tracks), the Mega Stick has a built-in FM tuner and a radio recording function. There's also a microphone, allowing the Mega Stick to be used as a dictaphone.

The Mega Stick uses USB 2 to transfer MP3 and WMA files, even those protected by digital rights management (DRM), which can be purchased from Napster and other online sources. The USB plug flips behind a flap when not in use, which is preferable to a separate cable that can easily get lost.

There's a small joystick for controlling volume and navigating through tracks and a 'hold' option to prevent accidental presses.

The headphones are incorporated into a necklace, so if you plan to keep the Mega Stick in your pocket you may want to consider using a different set of headphones.

Sound quality was good and it was easy to select songs and functions. The backlight can also change colour to suite your tastes.

Given that it is a similar size and price to the iPod Shuffle but includes a screen and an FM radio, the Mega Stick is a very attractive digital music player.