A minimalist guide to audio devices

Apple iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation (2 GB)

Rating: 7/10

Price: £35

Capacity: Around 500 songs

This product can only play music, however the size and mobility allow the user to comfortably listen to music without having to carry a large object. It allows playback of nearly 24 hours, and only takes around 3-4 hours to charge. If you have a relatively small library, this product should be able to fill all needs. However, you may only be limited to using the shuffle function, and it may be difficult to find a specific song if you wanted to play one.

Sony NWZ-A845 (16GB)

Rating: 8/10

Price: £100

Capacity: Around 4000 songs

The Sony NWZ-A845 allows easy navigation within files, and it’s easy to use interface allows novice users to import there favourite songs on to it. Also a built in photo viewer means that you can view your album art and other pictures with ease. If you have a large music collection this product is perfect for you because you will be able to bring every single one of your favourite songs without having to worry about running out of space.

Philips Sa3345 (4GB)

Rating 7.5/10

Price: £35

Capacity: Around 1000 songs

The same price as the iPod shuffle however this product has double the memory, it also has a screen which allows you to easily navigate through your files with ease. However it may be quite large in your pocket, and the screen is small, which may mean if you are planning to play movie files, it may be hard to spot small details. Overall, the buttons are set up well and the device itself is relatively easy to use.

SanDisk Clip+ (8GB)

Rating: 9/10

Price: £44.50

Capacity: Around 2000 songs

The large memory and relatively small product allows for the best portability, allowing you to listen to your favourite songs on the go without having to worry about having a large device in your pocket, or running out of space to store your songs. The price is worthy and very good value for money, the easy to use interface allows any user to navigate through their libraries with minimal effort and enjoy their music with superb quality.