iRiver Clix 2 GB Review - Design and Cosmetics

The design of the iRiver Clix is that of a clean and almost futuristic looking player.  It looks a lot like a mini television, and even more like one with the optional docking station.  The player is made of hard plastic, which is very durable.  The screen on this Clix is scratch-resistant, and it seems to be very effective at controlling scratches under normal use.  This screen protection does not apply to fingerprints, but those are easily wiped off with a shirt or with the iRiver tag which is connected to the protective case and doubles as a screen cleaner.

The size of this player is sufficient, measuring in at 2.7 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches. Its small size makes it a great choice for joggers, bikers, or anyone else who doesn't want to lug around a bulky player.  It's also very light, weighing in at a mere 2.5 ounces.

Most of the navigation and control of the Clix is done by pressing the four sides of the screen.  This is a very effective way to navigate through the menus, and it works very well.  The only negative associated with this type of setup is that it makes one-handed operation difficult.  It is much easier to navigate with two hands when using this player.  In most cases, though, this problem shouldn't be an issue.  Another very minor issue involving these types of controls on the screen itself is the potential for fingerprints all over the screen.  As I mentioned earlier, though, fingerprints are easily wiped off of the scratch-resistant screen.

There are a few other controls located on the outside perimeter of this player as well.  Here you can find the volume controls, built-in microphone, on/off button, and the smart key.  The smart key is a button which can be programmed, by the user, to any function that they desire.  This is a great feature; it speeds up operation of the player by using a short cut for a specific function, saving time on navigating through the menu system.

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