Physical Controls (4.00)
There is a grand total of 10 different inputs on the Sony Walkman 16GB: the back key, option key, select/play/pause key, a 4-way d-pad, the hold switch, and the volume rocker. All in all, pretty standard stuff. The keys have a good haptic response, meaning you can feel the little click as you press the button. The keys are all of a good size. They are positioned well below the device's center of gravity, which would typically make one-handed use an awkward balancing act. The Walkman 16GB doesn't have much weight to it, however, so chances are you won't run into any handling issues.
In terms of functionality, this set of keys is just about the bare minimum. The buttons on the front of the device are used predominantly for navigation and accessing basic media player functionality (left and right skip around, holding them will rewind or fast-forward, the center key is the play/pause). The up and down keys on the d-pad are used solely for navigation, and won't stop or toggle advanced settings like shuffle, etc. Overall, while these keys will get you by, you'll have to go through the software for any complicated commands.
Display
Screen resolution (5.54)
The Walkman 16GB's screen has a 320 x 240 resolution. This is about average for most modern media players, or at least ones with a screen. The greater the resolution, the more information the screen can display. The Walkman's resolution should be fine for most users, but those who want to watch a lot of video could probably hold out for better.
Screen size (6.00)
The display measures 2.4 inches diagonally, which is larger than the average cell phone. The screen looks huge on the Walkman's tiny frame. While it's not the size of, say, the iPod Touch's screen (3.6 inches!), it is decent compared to most other media players.
Pixels per inch (6.67)
The Walkman 16GB crams 166.67 pixels into every inch, which is good, not great. Pixel density is responsible for how washed out or sharp the display's image looks; higher densities mean more vibrant colors and sharper lines. Don't expect HD quality from your Walkman 16GB, but expect a decent picture for a media player.
Color depth (8.00)
The Walkman 16GB's display is capable of showcasing 262,144 colors (or 218 for those keeping score). This is the second highest notch you'll see on a display, with the larger increment being over 16 million colors. The reason 16 million is the ceiling is because there's no reason to divvy up the light spectrum any more finely; our primitive eyes and brains wouldn't be able to discern any of the additional colors.
Screen brightness (6.67)
The Walkman was capable of outputting 386 candelas per meter squared, which is average. Typically media players output in the high 300s of candelas, but some have displays that almost reach 600. In terms of actual luminosity, however, this isn't a huge number: the Walkman would make a poor flashlight.
If you want to boost the brightness of the Walkman, there are five levels of brightness in the settings menu.
Built-in Speakers (0.0)
The Sony Walkman 16GB does not have any built-in speakers.
Cable Connectivity (4.00)
There are two ports on the Walkman 16GB: a standard 18-inch audio cable and a proprietary port for data transfer and charging. We frown on the use of proprietary ports because if your cord gets lost or breaks, it's not easy to replace. If the device uses a mini USB cable, then you can swap out the busted/missing one for one of the dozens you already have lying around. On the Walkman 16GB, it's Sony or bust.
Internal Storage (7.00)
Although the box and name of the product claim the device has 16GB of storage, realistically you only have 14.70GB to play around with. We score based on the more realistic estimate. While the iPod Classic and its 120GB of storage dwarf this device, nowadays typical media players come packing either 8GB or 16GB. Realistically, unless you're planning on watching a bunch of movies, 16GB will suit most users just fine.
External Storage (0.0)
The Walkman 16GB media player doesn't support any external storage devices, such as SD cards or Sony's own MemoryStick series.
Battery Life (7.71)
The Sony Walkman was able to play music for a solid 27 hours and 49 minutes. Not only is this a great battery life in general, but it's also surprising from such a small device. Typically media players conk out around the 15-20 hour mark. With the Walkman 16GB, you'll only have to worry about recharging once every few days.
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