Gateway's DMP-X20 digital audio jukebox might not sport designer styling or have the iTunes hookup like Apple's iPod does, but at $299 for 20GB of music ($100 less than a 20GB iPod), you can't complain too loudly.
The industrial-looking DMP-X20 measures a boxy 4 inches by 2.6 inches by 0.8 inches and weighs 7.7 ounces. While an industrial look can be cool, the X20's design doesn't quite pass. Exposed bolts and hard angles make this player more run-of-the-mill and less runway.
The 2.3-inch blue backlit LCD screen and a shiny chrome face should, however, satisfy your sense of bling. Unfortunately the reflective surface makes the screen hard to read while indoors, even more so outside.
But beauty is only skin deep, and the good-sounding Gateway DMP-X20 offers cool features.
- 20GB drive stores around 4,000 standard-quality MP3 tracks
- Supports MP3, WMA, WAV, and Audible Format 4 audio books
- Connects to PCs by USB 2.0 only
- Windows Media Player plug-in syncs and organizes music
- Built-in FM tuner with 12 presets and 16-bit mono voice recorder
- Rechargeable lithium ion battery rated (by Gateway) at 10 hours
Putting the fun in function
Operate Gateway's X20 with either hand. Taking a cue from Dell, the X20 relies on a zippy scroll wheel to easily fly through tracks and navigate menus. The scroll wheel also makes creating playlists on the fly much quicker and easier. Six other surrounding buttons cover track navigation, menus, and modes.
You also get a mike for near endless voice recordings. A covered USB 2.0 port, 8mm headphone output, and on/off/hold switch lie on the player's top. Gateway includes a pair of average quality but comfortable earbuds and an attached remote control.
We experienced an acceptable near-nine hours of battery life, though the player consistently indicated power was low when it clearly wasn't.
Nice extras
The DMP-X20 doesn't come with much in the way of software other than a Windows Media Player plug-in to synch music with the jukebox.
Gateway includes FM tuner and support for audio books with Audible's format 4 codec. While we love audio books, they don't make reason enough to pick up the X20 over its competitors. The FM tuner is a nice addition (you'll find 12 user preset stations and a seek mode) but it's annoyingly slow to access and tuning to stations is a pain. You must use buttons instead of the scroll wheel.
Still, the DMP-X20 fits well into Gateway's objective of creating useful gadgets at value prices.
Pros: Solid value for a 20GB jukebox; easy to navigate tracks; good battery life
Cons: FM tuner is annoying; won't win any beauty contests
Company: GatewayPrice: $299
Available: Now
