Packard Bell Audiokey 256MB

The Audiokey is Packard Bell's version of the USB key and mp3 player combo. The key has a storage capacity of 256MB, which works out at around four hours of music, and can be used to carry your favourite mp3s or transfer other data files from one PC to another.

Weighing just 30g it's small, light and will slip into most pockets. Running off a single AAA battery (12 hours of playback), you can carry around enough spare power to last for even the longest trip.

We found the Audiokey's interface slow and searching through the track listing to find that tune we wanted was laborious.

However, we had no complaints about the sound quality; the mp3s were clear and far from sounding tinny. An equalizer option allows you to change your listening settings from a choice of normal, rock, jazz, pop, classical and extra-bass.

With the Audiokey's built-in microphone you can record external sounds. We found the recording quality to be a little crude and the subject does need to be reasonably close to the microphone to be heard clearly, as surrounding sounds are also picked up. However, on playback voices are distinct enough to make this a useful feature.

The Audiokey is well presented and, compared to other solid-state devices, quite good value. However, with the price of hard disk devices dropping we'd rather have a larger capacity player.

Contact: Packard Bell
www.packardbell.co.uk

Specifications:

• 256MB
• USB port
• mp3 and wma
• 4-hour playback
• 30g
• 27x 17 x 91mm (w x h x d)