CREATIVE ZEN - MX
Storage - 8 GB
Release date - 05 - 2009
RRP – 99.99 GBP – Amazon website via the market-place option
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Zen will creative be creative?
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There are not a lot of life patterns you can be sure of; but when it comes to Creatives new MP3 player launch, the same old design pops its mandatory blue-print into the box of blandness. Yes, I’m talking about the so called new ordinary MX. This years silently released epic from the Creative Lab team. The difference with this model is it’s quirky pointless OCD shift that plays with the navigation direction buttons rather than any major bold steps to bridge the gap with Apple’s flying machine the iPod. Creatives efforts are not with simplify design; but with different processors and technology that they feel capture their loyal client base, obviously. Notoriously lacks visual purpose and any vital plausible reason to buy the player. Creatives long-winding road of yet another Zen product launch continues. Just like flogging a dead donkey the Zen is the figure-head for Creative chosen model of MP3 player; the reality is, of course in such a competitive market-place is opting for a lame donkey to win in the Grand National. – 2010 is going to be a steady perplexing year for the Creative Lab team, whereby facts and figures will throw the not so bold MX MP3 player will inevitably not scary your Branny in buying the PMP; but won’t set the world on fire either. Only last year the launch of X-FI’s series elapsed into a slight forward thinking process I felt, which now has fallen flat, the launch of the MX is basically the X-FI except for the slightly easier MX word. The cost is a lot more affordable mind on the Amazon market-place as it retails just shy of 100.00 GBP. Again, it is more pocket friendly, however, the smaller player deals could sway potential consumers to consider novelty brands with simplified navigation cajoled with U3 technology and mobility more-so.

X-FI versus the MX
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Comparing the models of the X-FI and the MX, the Zen series players alike do have Xtreme Fidelity infiltrated into each PMP, as I cannot to my naked ear can distinguish any notable frequency sound quivers, by opting to different modes. Having this technology available on the MX also doesn’t mean Creative will plug it has this piece of app within it. The launch of the X-FI coincided with the release of their Xtreme Fidelity, hence the brand. – Overall it makes the MX a pointless exercise and just another blue-print Zen series PMP add-on, I feel. The X-Fi has all of the above yet may not have the vital components to make so many updates, but then again, you don’t need to update continuously, as it is a great piece of kit that has many apps available via the internet and you can also just simple buy a graphics card or buy more memory if required. The X-FI isn’t that old to opt for a 10 month newer portable media player called the MX.

- Creative’s not so bold MX version, which is effectively an add-on to the figure-head Zen series, has gone on for absolutely too long; does however, flirt with up to date technology that is notably called Zii; this processor is in all Zen series products but the difference with the MX is that they’ll made it compatible for other updates that Creative will introduce earlier next year. I’m not sure why they’ll include this piece of information and attached it to the MX but they have and as if that will make and sales increase, I beggar to differ. The techies among you will probably make a note but I hasten a guess that other brands may take top shelf news going into the next decade.

MX - stand alone media player
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The swapping of unlock and the lock-on switches is hardly much to mention, but alas they’ve made it visible head-on to the player. Color noir/black simulates brand recognition except for the Mozaic novelty players that Creative so kindly enriched us with. The design team looks as if they’ve had fun in relocating the Corporate Identity visual for those of you who notices these changes from earlier Zen models. – Still the MX lacks finesse, style and chic vitality which probably doesn’t surprise you, for those who are seasoned at reading my love affair with the exciting Creative brand. I do have a love stroke hate relationship with the epic Zen journey’s Creative still warrants me to take a swing at. I will quickly add that I can see dust descending down in the ware-house and a distinctive space has been left as I decided to take it to the pen. Yes, it’s not a must in the unisex-handbag and I would prefer to listen to songs on my Samsung E840 than slide this 66g into my large pockets. I’m refraining from giving out my pocket specification as this is a family show and even so it is bewilderingly light for the shape of it however.

MX – dodging in re-shaping the wheel
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We rapidly move on - Sadly the screen interface is not anything too revitalizing, requires more variables and contrast options. The MX is sturdy and warrants it being thrown against a wall just to make sure of its concrete steady credentials that Creative so proudly boasts of. The plastic silicon covered casing has a soft feel and does take a real deliberate piece of frustration to mark, which differs from earlier models of three years ago when Zen leapt onto the portable media player scene like a gazelle on a beach wearing Alan Titchmarsh’s wellies.

MX – The proof that Creative are running on auto-pilot
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The MX has a useful media player viewer that isn’t big on clarity. Smaller clips from TV programs can be viewed well in slightly darkened areas, so backs of cinemas would be perfect but keep the sound low. The 8GB is a superb amount of storage to read digital data WAVS, WMV, JPEGS and most media data formats. The storage facility is around 2,000 songs or files and about 200 short film files that can also be loaded via the USB connector lead which is provided with Creative software installers including drivers and utility update prompts, which is optional on your desk-top task-bar. This PMP does support 16.7 million colours, not that I can name them of course. The boredom factor steps up a notch while relaying the control-panel as nothing has been introduced to expand on; the closest analogy I can share with you is picture yourself on a ‘ wet Bank Holiday Monday’ perhaps tiding up your sock draw wishing you were flaunting yourself all about Dooyoo’s online community, with a face-on like Bagpus.

I have taken the time to give out those ever so helpful statistics that the community holds close to their heart; so I’ve got to get the correct. I’ve also taken in the consideration that the portable media player is this years model and therefore will differ to earlier brands hence the technology capabilities and progress.

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MX – The stats
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Sound and Graphics – 14.84 out of 20.00
Storage – 17.10 out of 20.00
Features – 13.09 out of 20.00
Design and Navigation – 12.25 out of 20.00
Originality – 11.61 out of 20.00
OVERALL SCORE – 68.89 out of 100

I hope all the information provided has helped in you making a consumer decision.

© 1st2thebar – 09 - 2009