Olympus
m:robe MR-100 5GB Review
Introduction
Ever since Apple introduced the iPod Mini, and Creative launched the Zen Micro, many other companies have been coming up with competing products. The iRiver H10 comes with a touch-sensitive scroll, as well as a colour screen. The Samsung YH-820MC, like the H10, also has a colour screen. In fact, Creative has already announced the Zen Micro Colour, basically a Zen Micro with, you guessed it, a colour screen.
Yet the recent offering by Olympus, the m:robe MR-100, goes against all that. The MR-100 is Olympus' first foray into digital audio players. The brand "Olympus" brings to mind their cameras, which, if I might add, are actually pretty good. So can a company that makes good cameras, also make good digital audio players?
At first glance, the MR-100 does look cool. In fact, I think it looks way better than all other competing products, Apple iPod Mini included. While touch-sensitive buttons may seem nothing more than gimmicks in other players, Olympus made full use of this in the design, leaving a player that looks totally clean and minimalist.
Before I go on any further, lest I start drooling all over the player, let's take a look at the packaging.
Package Contents
The box design is rather simple and unassuming. Nothing special about it.
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The bottom of the box lists the package contents and system requirements, in English and a few other languages.
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There's also nothing really special about the inside. It is the usual multi-layered box like those of computer peripherals. The top layer is the manual, Quick Start guide, warranty information and the installation CD.
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The next layer is the earphones, the MR-100 player itself, and the dock.
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Finally at the bottom are the pouch, AC adapter, USB cables.
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Here's a shot of everything inside the box.
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And finally, here's the MR-100 looking smart in the dock with its iPod-ish white earphones and nice looking pouch.
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