SlimDevices Squeezebox

Verdict

With my Music folder copiously filled with classical, rock and spoken word repertoire, and an extensive if eclectic playlist ticking away on the Squeezebox, I settled down with a large glass of Wirra Wirra Church Block to enjoy this realisation of a dream I've had for nigh on 20 years: tens of thousands of songs, all no more than a few remote control button presses away.

Slim Devices' gadget isn't the only one of its kind, and not the first, but it deserves praise for its cross-platform and multi-format support. And it doesn't pretend to be anything but a music system. So there's no attempt to let you view holiday snaps on your TV, or even the suggestion that your 802.11b network will happily cope with full-screen, full-motion video.

The squeezebox was a joy to use, particularlty once the AAC problem had been resolved - a problem that wouldn't have existed had I had the bulk of my music collection in MP3 format. With MP3s, there really was no problem, and I could sit back and enjoy my playlist, or leave it running in the background while I offered my guests drinks.

The one downside - and it's a minor one - is the WLAN support. With a newly installed 802.11g network, it's a shame to have to drop down to 802.11b for the Squeezebox. Roll on the higher specced version, I say. And hopefully a more comprehensive set of instructions and bundled software while Squeezebox is at it. Having to download code makes for a more up-to-date install, but it's not entirely consumer-friendly. ®

Visit The Reg's Review Channel for more hardware coverage.