Reviews Written by Sam The Man

Sansa e280 vs. e280R

Pros: Features, Sound and Price

Cons: Differences in user interface and some glitches

I got the chance to test out both the Sansa e280 and the Sansa e280R (Best Buy version) w/Rhapsody.

Here is what some comparisons and differences. First off, they look the same on the outside. The only difference is some branding on the back. Both come with the same accessaries in the box. The e280 comes with setup disk v. 1.3 and the e280R comes with setup disk 1.0 (Best Buy version though). Features on it are almost the same except the e280R comes with Rhapsody Channels. Apon looking through the menu did notice that the GUI on the e280 isn't as crisp at the e280R which was alittle disappointing. I am surprised that both don't have clean text on them because everything else (like the icons) looks clean cut.

Sound is a biggie and by far on both they are good. I do notice on both players that there is a very low player noise when navagating through the menu or going from track to track. The e280 comes with preset EQ's and a custom EQ feature. The e280R has the same preset EQ's but no custom EQ feature unfortunately.

So far there have not been any problems with battery life drainage (18 hrs or so for me)or transfering music files to the players (which has been simple) or really any major issues at all that tells me my purchase of The Sandisk Sansa e280 or e280R was a bad one. I recommend this over the iPod for a few reasons but I know it's hard to sway people from the ever so popular player that everyone "must" have.

Only differences I see price wise right now during or not during the holiday season is that you can get a e280 online for around $200 but because the e280R is exclusively only at Best Buy the average price right now is $250 but I'd be surprised if they lowered it to $200 and if they do, BUY IT there because that's a heck of a deal for this type of mp3 player!

-Sami- ...