SanDisk Sansa c240 (1GB, red)

CNET editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Design : 6.0
  Features : 8.0
  Performance : 5.0
  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Jasmine France
• Reviewed on: 11/15/2006

Editors' note: The rating of this review has been updated to reflect the inclusion of album art support, a feature previously thought to be absent from this player.

SanDisk knows how to produce affordable MP3 players, which is probably why value-conscious music lovers have made Sansa the second most-popular device in the U.S. market (behind the Apple iPod). The company's latest release is the Sansa c200 series, successor to the c100. At $79 for the 1GB version and $99 for the 2GB version, the c200 is SanDisk's cheapest player series to date. However, although the player is easy to use and packed with features, it's not a high-quality device.

The physical design of the Sansa c200 is nothing special, but it works. It's almost identical to the c100, except controls (Fast-forward, Reverse, Play/Pause, Menu/Power, and a center Select key) are laid out in a square rather than a circle. The c200 measures 3.1x1.4x0.6 inches, so it's not the most compact device on the block, but it can fit in a pocket. Around the edges of the player you'll find a well-placed dedicated volume toggle, a microSD slot, a proprietary USB connector, a record button, a hold switch, and a standard headphone jack. The drab, 1.5-inch screen sits on the front of the c200, just left of the control pad.

The Sansa c200 has one of the simplest interfaces we've ever used, yet it's also extremely boring. Text font is uninspired and displayed on a dull blue background--we get depressed just looking at it. At least the top menu is icon-driven, with images representing various selections. You can also view photos (while listening to music) on the c200, but we don't recommend it: photo color appears washed-out. You can adjust the screen's brightness, but resolution and contrast is poor. The FM tuner, however, is pretty decent, and includes a recorder, an auto-scanner, and up to 20 (oddly unnumbered) presets. A pin hole microphone lets you record voice.

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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

• alaTest.com

  Editors' rating: 86

  Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 664 reviews of SANDISK Sansa c240 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 68/100 and users 79/100. Comparing these reviews to 480507 other MP3 Players reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 86/100 = Very Good.

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• techtree.com

  Editors' rating: 60

  Summary: After rigorous usage, the SanDisk Sansa C240 appears to be very average (with the bundled earphones). It comes with an MRP of Rs.4975, but you can own it for a few hundreds less. Only if you plan to invest an extra set of quality earphones along, it ...

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