Dell DJ 30GB

Posted 07/01/2005 at 11:21am | by

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Cheaper than the iPod, in every way

We once considered Dell’s Digital Jukebox to be a serious contender to the iPod. Now called simply the DJ, we feel betrayed by Dell’s half-hearted revision to its once-promising MP3 player. This is a device that’s taken to drink and declined in the absence of a
proper intervention.

We can overlook the DJ’s weight and bulkiness—it’s much less expensive than the iPod—but the Dell DJ doesn’t seem interested in matching the iPod’s capabilities, much less capitalizing on any of its shortcomings.

It uses a proprietary connector for data transfer—yeesh. You can’t hear audio as you fast-forward through tracks—darn. Music is transferred at almost half the speed of the iPod—argh. The sound is vibrant at the high end, but lacks the gut-punch of the iPod, even with custom EQ applied—yikes!

And dig this: You can’t use the Dell DJ to transfer data files without installing a driver on the PC first.

The verdict may seem harsh, but we feel that Dell earned it. The Dell DJ does work, the sound is far from terrible, and the battery life of 14 hours at 75 percent volume is acceptable. But it’s driven down on the Verdict-O-Meter by other MP3 players with more features, better sound, lighter weight, and a general sense of ambition.

+ MARSHES: Relatively inexpensive, sturdy.

- HARSHES: Proprietary cable, obvlious to competition's features.

Month Reviewed: July 2005
Verdict: 5
URL: www.dell.com