Sansa e280R Rhapsody unboxing

We got us one of those new Rhapsody editions of the Sansa e280, and ritual unboxing has commenced. The Sansa e280R "Rhapsody" hardly earns its namesake -- with the main noticeable improvement being a new menu item for Rhapsody Channels -- but the player is just as solid as ever, so we suppose we have little cause to complain.

That plastic might look unassuming, but it's an absolute bear to pry off.




Not quite as fancy the iPod packaging, or even the new pretender to the packaging throne, Microsoft's Zune -- but it gets the job done, without all that ego tripping along the way.














Nothing much to see here, but that "Version 1.0" CD is a bit of a let-down, since it still has to pull the "Best Buy Digital Music Store" (i.e. Rhapsody with a couple logos slapped here and there) down from the internets. Still, installation was rather quick and painless.
















No joke, folks. This thing is an absolute fingerprint magnet.

[Rohit Kapur @ Oct 9th 2006 10:24AM]

I don't know... For some reason, when I look at this thing, I think 'chinese knockoff'. No offense to anybody, of course. Even so, you're right Paul. The fingerprints definitely mar the look. It's not for me...

[Nin10dude @ Oct 9th 2006 10:59AM]

I agree, I don't know why, but this this just screams Chinese knockoff to me.

[Sam @ Oct 9th 2006 10:28AM]

I just got my e280 on Saturday. It seems very nice so far. Came with new firmware. The interface is intuitive, I knew how to use it immediately without reading the directions. It feels very solid except for the scroll wheel which feels really cheap and rattles when you shake it. Overall almost perfect, but come on Sandisk, spend another few dollars and fix the scroll wheel.

[tekdroid @ Oct 9th 2006 11:18AM]

the Chinese knockoff is the ChanDisk Dansa. It is far better value and is sold wherever good money is exchanged.

Seriously tho, tie-ins with music services? Hmmmmm.

[snark @ Oct 9th 2006 11:22AM]

I do plan on getting it for xmas once all the kinks have been worked out depending of course how fast they put the patches out.

[Wonderboy @ Oct 9th 2006 11:27AM]

My wife has been clamoring for a DAP for a little while... wants an iPod, so I'm thinking of giving her my 60GB and picking up a smaller flash-based DAP for myself.

I'm not a fan of the new Nano styling, so for now I think this 8GB baby is the front-runner.

DRM is not an issue since I'm not a slave to it. Mostly just styling and medium-range capacity... this has both.

Until I've actually played around with one at the store, I only have one complaint... the packaging. Looks like they attempted an anti-iPod packaging style, going for messy and "fun"... but surrounding that sleek/sharp player with messy just doesn't look quite right. Then again, maybe it's just me.

[Perv @ Oct 9th 2006 11:30AM]

iDont want this iWant an iPod!!!1 They r cool and all my friends have them rofl lol n00bs. I

[rob @ Oct 9th 2006 11:31AM]

I hate when they shrink wrap products in that death grip plastic

[justinwhy @ Oct 9th 2006 12:17PM]

Hmm I've been a longtime iPod hater and after numerous delays I finally got my hands on a Sansa e280. I probably kept it for less than 24 hours before I boxed it up and sent it back for a refund. Since I'm impatient and there's only one other 8GB flash player out now, guess what I got. My first iPod. Long story short, I like it way better than the Sansa. It doesn't feel like cheap plastic (and isn't unfortunately) and the sound quality is a lot better than the Sansa which was the main reason as to why I hated it. Yeah, I "sold out" to myself. I'll probably keep the iPod until Samsung releases a 8-10GB flash player... which may be a while.

[Patrick @ Oct 9th 2006 12:28PM]

I have an e260, and love it. I imagine there really isn't much different besides the Rhapsody intgration.

As for sound quality, the Sansa is fantastic with decent ear buds (using Sure e2c's). If you are going to judge something on sound quality, it's ridiculous to use the in-box buds, no matter which player you get.

Also, I felt the build quality was solid. In fact I like that the Sansa is a bit bigger than the nano. I feel like I am going to break the nano if I carry it around with me. Thats just my preference though.

[The Big Fudge @ Oct 9th 2006 12:31PM]

I have a Sansa 2GB. It is is built like a tank! My dog got frisky and jumped on me, got his paw caught in my headphone cord, and sent the Sansa whipping into the sidewalk. I fully expected the player to be DOA. All it did was chip the corner a little bit, the player still operates perfectly with no damage to the screen.
As for the packaging... it was much more understated than the boxes in this post. Mostly black, with some cardboard inside to make a clean little presentation box. I threw it away immediately, I figured the thing only cost $110 and I would never bother to return it.

[max andrews @ Oct 9th 2006 12:41PM]

"When flash memory companies try to release ipod-beating DAP's but make them out of cheap plastic to be cheaper by $20"

Seriously, this thing looks like it should be at least $75 cheaper than an 8GB nano. It's way fatter, made from cheap two-tone plastic, with a gimmicky, rattly scroll wheel and exposed screws on the back. (Seriously, lame). They even shaved costs on the packaging. Now I can pick up a sandisk sansa in the same rack as a value set of mini-maglights from the home improvement section of target!

[Wayne @ Oct 11th 2006 11:36AM]

Those exposed screws are so you can easily replace the battery yourself. You don't have to chuck it when the battery it came with doesn't hold a charge anymore. Another feature where it beats an iPod.

[Goodman @ Oct 9th 2006 12:41PM]

This is actually the frontrunner for "next MP3 player I buy for myself". I've played with the Sansas at Best Buy and liked them a lot. And last year I really liked the Rhapsody software, but couldn't get it to work with my Dell player reliably, so I had to switch to another service (Yahoo Music). A Sansa that is guaranteed to work with Rhapsody sounds great to me. (As I understand it though, this player will still work with other PlaysforSure services, which is nice.)

[PEZ @ Oct 9th 2006 12:48PM]

That photo looks wrong on many many levels.

Anyone else?

[Sam @ Oct 9th 2006 1:25PM]

Seriously, what is everybody's obsession with packaging? Are you guys easily distracted by shiny objects?

[Jeff Foster @ Oct 9th 2006 2:55PM]

I was playing with a (working) display model, and for 8gb, this thing feels huge. ...and cheap.

and i didn't really find the interface very intuitive at all.

I've been looking for a replacement for my girlfriend's 2gb nano (now that she has grown her library a little) and i was really hoping this would be it, but it just looks and feels crappy (which was a surprise, because of how many people around here seem to think they're awesome...)

oh well, i guess Apple will get my business again. where the hell is the competition?

[Ivan @ Oct 9th 2006 2:56PM]

It's hilarious that iPod fans are always judging a book by its cover.
"Oh noes, its not white and has screws in the back, but I don't understand any design that doesn't copy an iPod so this player sucks. Doesn't matter that it has 50x more features than an iPod and a nicer user interface/song indexing system, I just need it to have the Apple logo and look the same as others so I can showboat in front of my friends."
Seriously, give it a break.

[Goodman @ Oct 9th 2006 3:08PM]

Pretty. Shiney.

Oh I'm sorry, did you say something?

[Keith Hathorn @ Oct 9th 2006 4:09PM]

I have both an 2GB Ipod Nano, and a Sansa E250 and I have to say hands down the Sansa blows the ipod away. and here is my resoning.

1. Show me the FM radio on your nano without having to spend more money on a already over priced product.

2. Lets play some video of the family reunion, DOH guess that leaves the nano out.

3. Ohhh how about recording your college prof. class so you can play games on your phone...DOH once again sorry nano.

4. So you want to drag and drop your favorite MP3 from your friends pc? or maybe you want to bring some files home from the office but dont want to spend extra money on a thumbdrive......Once again sorry nano.

Come on folks if your going to compare, do it the right way, dont compare a Sansa to a IPOD 30gb or 80gb, thats assanine, not too mention outside of space the sansa does everything that IPOD does at ohhh 1/3rd the cost.

So in closing if your looking for a well priced MP3 player that has a load of extra features, is very well built (Who cares if the scroll wheel isnt built like the ipod's, has it broken yet?) The Sansa series is well worth looking into. Please dont be a fanboy, or soemone who thinks they have what everyone else does...be a rebel and get the product that offers more for the money.

[Otto @ Oct 11th 2006 1:20AM]

Keith,

1. Show me an FM radio station that I'd actually want to listen to. Oh wait, there aren't any, which is why I got an MP3 player.

2. Have fun playing your video on a postage stamp sized screen. Too bad your grandfather can't focus well enough to see it. It's okay though, he'll humor you. He's family, afterall.

3. Enjoy failing your tests because you didn't pay attention in class.

4. Clearly you've never used an iPod in the first place, as a) it does work as a drive by simply plugging it in, no software required, and b) free software is available to let you manage the songs on the iPod that not only can be run without installation, but can also be run *from the iPod itself*.


Sorry, but while your points are well intentioned, I'm sure, you really should know a product and its market before criticizing it. If your criticisms were legit, then I wouldn't think you were one of the "hater" crowd, which you so clearly are.

[Saptha @ Oct 9th 2006 5:02PM]

not bad really awesome design but look cheap cant come closer to ipod finishing, but still i hate real player if this is very cheap its ok to buy this ... or else no say yes to ipod all the times

[Russ Greene @ Oct 9th 2006 5:05PM]

I can complain. They must have known about this Rhapsody deal for a while, yet no upgrade for new owners of their very recently released previous version... I don't see any real changes except gig size in the new unit.... grrr! and sigh...

[MikeEv @ Oct 9th 2006 5:22PM]

After my 4G iPod's HDD died, I recently purchased an e270 (based 100% on Engadget's recommendations) and TRIED LIKE HELL to like the thing. I loved the FM tuner and the on-board Mic, which I truly believe is criminally missing from the iPod, but I couldn't get over the horrific navigation wheel and buttons, the noticably worse sound quality (even with my iPod headphones), missing the simple sync options and podcasting with iTunes, and the fact that the damn thing would crash every 3rd time I turned it on! This was all after an immediate firmware update.

If this is your first player, give it a shot. You might like it. But if you are coming from an iPod, prepare to give in to some levels of quality. I love Engadget and I agree with their opinions on most things, but with respect to the Sansa line, take their reviews with a grain of salt.

[ogvor @ Oct 9th 2006 5:27PM]

I owned a Sansa E220 (?) with 2 GB. It was meant as a stop gap as I sold my old 4G ipod on Ebay, and while I was waiting for a brand new ipod to come out (not wanting to get left behind so quickly in Apples often product upgrades)

After reading numerous reveiws (and finding a great deal) I settled on the player. I find that was a mistake. Here are my annoyances with the player:
The first annoyance (which I was prepared for) was that I couldn't load my whole library on it.

Second, after using iTunes for 2 years, I have become pampered, and I like not having to drag my music to a player. I used to just hook up my player, it gets updated with all my new music, and then I disconnect it. It was just to simple, and I loved it. Drag and Drop is just to archaic for my taste (even though I woudl consider my self a nerd, and one who would usually prefer this method, as opposed to Windows Media PLayer for instance)

Third, No podcast support. I listen to about 4 podcasts weekly. I didn't mind having to put them on myself, but it's how the player treats them that really irked me. When I played a podcast on my iPod, stopped half way and turned it off, I could come back and it would save my place. In fact, I could listen to something else, and it would remmeber my place when I came back. Even if I accidently skipped threw, I could find my place with the scroll wheel in about 10 seconds, wereas the sansa dosne't speed up the in song searching, meaning my hour and a half long podcasts take about 10 minutes to navigate threw.

Four, Problem with deleted songs. For some reason, when I deleted a song off the player, and even emptied the trash can after wards, the player still thought the song was their, and showed it in it's music library, even though when I played it, it didn't have any sound.


I was prepared for some of these problems, and most could be solved with a firmware upgrade, but the iTunes + iPod combination is to tempting for me after 2 years. I now know why I recommmend the iPod over anything else.

[jlh @ Oct 9th 2006 8:26PM]

I love my e270 and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have two Dell DJs (an original and a 2nd gen) and an Ipod Shuffle but this little baby beats all three of the others. I have most of my music collection spread across both of the DJs (very underrated products btw) and the shuffle is good for dumping lots of new stuff that I'm trying out, but this thing is like my own little programmable tv. I transfer tv episodes from my dvr to my computer, then use the media conv software to add them to the sansa and I've also started ripping some dvds to be converted to watch at work (a bit of a slow process but it works fine). Video is an awesome, awesome feature and no need to go the ITunes route when I can do my own for free and the picture quality is great. I agree with some of the other comments about the sound but that was easily remedied with a good set of headphones (trash the cheapies that come in the box). I love the fm radio, the navigation is very, very smooth and while to some the unit might look cheap (I personally think it looks fine) it is built like a tank, I've dropped it twice and there's not a scratch on it. I thought about a Nano before I bought the sansa but the ability to play video and my pre-paid Yahoo Music subscription were big minuses with the Nano. You guys should definately not judge a book by its cover, if you drop all of your Apple prejudices and give the sansa a chance you will be surprised.

[John M @ Oct 9th 2006 9:34PM]

I am wondering how many people will go for this just based on itunes 7 problems?

[MikeEv @ Oct 9th 2006 11:09PM]

I haven't had any noticable iTunes 7 problems since they've updated it, but that may be because i'm using the latest 5.5G iPod (which replaced the e270 that I sent back- one of the best moves I've ever made).

[CLE @ Oct 10th 2006 12:55AM]

I got the 4Gb e260 in April when it came out, and just upgraded with the 8GB e280. I've loved the Sansa since I got it, and I haven't had any problems with either of them. My girlfriend has the 2GB iPod Nano (1G) - I got the Sansa first off just to have something different from her, but also the extra features, better build quality and lower price sold me.

The Sansa wins hands down over the Nano, IMO. The sound quality of the Sansa is far better than the Nano's: the Nano's had slightly better volume, but both the Sansa & Nano's bass sucked. Then the Sansa got a firmware update, that gave it a customizable EQ and even slightly improved the volume. Now I've adjusted the Sansa's bass so it kicks the Nano's *ss, and the volume is equal now: you lose, Nano!

The Sansa's plastic was less scratch-resistant compared to the Nano's plastic. Now the Nano comes in aluminum....that's OK, the liquid metal titanium alloy back is still more scratch-resistant than the Nano's aluminum.

Add the larger color screen, video support (I hardly ever use this except for some music videos and a few personal videos I made with my digicam), FM (which I use for ESPN radio, talk radio, and local sportscasts ALOT), voice recorder, playlisting OTG, and a user-replaceable battery that only costs me $20 (and not about $65 to send the Nano back to Apple), and it was pretty easy for me to get the Sansa.

I can either auto-sync my music to the Sansa from WMP or MediaMonkey in MTP mode, or drag + drop it (my preferred method) using MSC mode.

Now my girlfriend want's to borrow my Sansa all the time to show the video to her friends all the time. I'm now waiting for the "made for Sansa" accessories to come out so I can get a Griffin leather case and a car charger. I don't know about this Rhapsody stuff: I don't get music with these subscription services - I'm too pissed off about all this DRM crap!

[CLE @ Oct 10th 2006 12:58AM]

error in my above post:

"The Sansa's plastic was [MORE] scratch-resistant compared to the Nano's plastic. Now the Nano comes in aluminum....that's OK, the liquid metal titanium alloy back is still more scratch-resistant than the Nano's aluminum."

[aptmunich @ Oct 10th 2006 2:18AM]

"3. Ohhh how about recording your college prof. class so you can play games on your phone...DOH once again sorry nano.

4. So you want to drag and drop your favorite MP3 from your friends pc? or maybe you want to bring some files home from the office but dont want to spend extra money on a thumbdrive......Once again sorry nano."

- The latest nanos can record, need an accessory though

- You can use any iPod as a Thumbdrive without additional software, you just can't listen to songs that way.

[DeathRidler @ Jul 6th 2007 6:48AM]

I once had a iPod nano (2gb)(despite I hated the iTunes), but I wanted to get a mp3 with more space...
And btw, I'm not some sort of iPod fanboy/hater..I'm not the kind of person that would buy or not buy something, because it was made by a certain firm. All I'm iterested in when buying...are the facts.
So originaly I wanted to buy the 8gb version of the iPod nano...and I had some time before I saved up the money, so I studied the other options I had.

I was a bit more on the side of the iPod, but I tried to be as neutral as possible.

So I took a look at the Sansa e280 (not the Rhapsody version), and immediately found out, that it had some nice stuff, that the iPod nano didn't...

Things that Sansa e280 has and the iPod nano doesn't have:
- A built in radio
- A built in mic
- A changeable battery (apparently you can't change the iPod nano battery yourself)
- Video feature
- If I go to my friends house I can drag&drop his songs on the Sansa and then play them (my iPod nano couldn't do that)

And my personal opinions about the sansa:
- I like the feel of the Sansa more then the ipod nano...It feels more secure and sturdy
- The only thing I didn't like, was the scroll wheel...but that is negligible, because the other functions make up for the scroll wheel
- I also didn't like, that the sansa was very ''fingerprint atracted'', but I fixed that with a leather jacket, that looks quite nice (a part of Sansa Travel kit)

Overall I like the Sansa e280 better than the iPod nano.

[Burroughs802 @ Oct 11th 2006 4:29PM]

Hey, Otto:

1. FM radio for listening to music is, I'll agree, about the lamest, but to listen to talk radio like ESPN, Rush Limburgh (I prob. spelled his name wrong, but I don't listen to him), etc., or to sportscasts of local games (like I do), an FM tuner has definite value. To be able to have that feature integrated, without having to spend $$ for another adapter/accessory to keep up with, is a definite plus for those people (like me).

2. Once again, I agree that the video feature is minor compared to playing music, but at least it's there (unlike the Nano). How big are the screens on cell phones that have video playback? How popular are they? Once again, there are people out there that consider video playback a valuable feature, but they won't get it with the Nano. Even sites like here, CNET and ilounge were hoping for video support for the 2G Nano. Sounds like you're in the minority on this point.
3. This sounds like an issue between you and Keith. I'll leave it laying there....
4. I think what Keith was referring to here, was the ability to connect the Sansa - in MSC mode - to any PC: WinXP, OSX, Linux, be able to load content onto the Sansa, and then PLAY that content (as long as the formats are compatible, like mp3's). You can download mp3's to a Sansa from your Apple Mac PC without any drivers or PC media players, and play them immediately. You cannot with an iPod: you can download the content without any drivers, but you can't play the content, even if they are .aac files. They'll just show up as "data", like the iPod is a thumb drive......

[jbelkin @ Oct 11th 2006 1:33AM]

Like the 'ipod hater' above who got an ipod and now sees why ipod is the way to go ... it's like having in a headache in 1900 and refusing to take an aspirin because it's a new fangled thing everyone else is taking - I'll just stick with leeches, thank you very much.

I'm not saying you have to buy an ipod or if you want to buy a SD or any other DAP, that's fine but don't choose something else-anything else because if it's popular, I cannot absolutely use it - what are you saying? The rest of us are morons? And if we beat you to any product, somehow you are diminished in some way?

The ipod is one of the greatest consumer electronics devices EVER. It's that simple. If you don't want one - that's fine. If you prefer another brand, that's fine but do not sneer at something because it's #1 - because you have to ask yourself why you need to feel that way and why would you purposely make your OWN life more difficult because of that psychological barrier ... just to prove what point exactly? We're all dupes? Only you can see the truth?

There are reasons to buy other players - you just don't have to be self-righteous and think we're morons for not "seeing" what you believe is the "truth."

[GForce289 @ Oct 11th 2006 5:13PM]

I just bought the Sansa e260. I originally had a small sandisk 2 gb and it was fine but I recieved this for my birthday.

When I first opened it up, it was preloaded with a ton of songs (that would have been deleted eventually after the rhapsody trial ended). They were cool but it took up almost all of the memory to begin with including my songs. I deleted them off the player because I have no intention of using Rhapsody mostly because i dont want a subscription (pay per song is for me).

Bottom Line:
It works fantasticly. The fact that it has the same storage of an Ipod Nano and many many more features (inlcuding the option of upgrading with MiniSD) sold me.

[frosty @ Oct 12th 2006 2:46PM]

You people saying it's cheap plastic are nuts. You obviously haven't held the player. The back is a military-grade alloy, and the front has an EXTREMELY scratch resistent finish. I could break my old iPod Nano over my fingers, if it didn't cease to function on its own when I looked at it wrong.

There is no comparison...this player is superior to the Nano in every aspect outside of thickness (which may be an advantage for durability) and scroll-wheel execution.

Leave the Apple fanboy-ism behind.

[Fence Sitter @ Oct 16th 2006 12:06PM]

I haven't owned either an iPod nano or Sansa. This may stop some readers from even reading on. The MP3 player I own runs on steam power. Well not really but you get the picture.

The goal with technology has always been to make it smaller, and that is what Apple have done well at. Sure the nano doesn't have as many features as the Sansa but it is also half the volume. Imagine what the apple designers could do with that extra space, double battery life, double screen size, double storage space.....FM radio in there somewhere. But the point is that it seems that most people want a small player, other features come a second place.

I'm not on the iPod bandwagon either. I have this underlying suspicion that Apple aren't giving us their best. Given their market position, why would they spend extra money making their product better. One thing I will say about Apple is that after bashing Microsoft for so many years about monopolizing the market, Apple now see their chance and are doing everthing they can to be the next Microsoft. But I digress.

So on this topic I will sit on the fence. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Its just up to each person to accept the drawbacks with the player they select.

Apple probably has the most power to listen to the consumer and make the changes most users ask for. But I don't think we will see any real steps forward from them until their market share falls.

[Big Hands @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:37AM]

I actually find the new SanDisk's size to be a huge improvement over the iPod Nano, which seems to be marketed to children and teens, or at least people with small hands. I can easily navigate through the Sansa's menu system with one hand, whereas it is a bit more awkward for me with the Nano.

They are both small enough to easily fit in my pocket, but at least the Sansa seems solid enough to safely do so.

If there is anything for me to complain about from an ergonomics standpoint, it would have to be the weight. I can't even tell I have the Nano around my neck when I'm out for a walk, but I can definitely feel the Sansa. I'd even say it was uncomfortable when compared to the Nano. I'm sure that Flavor Flav might disagree.

[fixerkid @ Nov 25th 2006 2:29AM]

Just got a "partner" email from Rhapsody and they are selling the 4GB version (e260R) for $150 ($30 bucks off). Go to http://offer.rhapsody.com/mp3sale to redeem. It looks like the link works for anyone.

[Lucas @ Dec 6th 2006 9:58PM]

Listen, the truth is, this product is flawless and far less of a scam than the iCrap. You can access it like a flash drive to add music and pictures, then using the media converter, you can put MOVIES on the player. With a little technical tweeking of the movie file you can put FULL LENGTH movies on this "lil monstuh"! If you want an iPod because "everyone else has one" or because "its pink and I like pink so I want to get an POS iPod. Listen,I have had 4 iPods and returned them all because they QUIT WORKING for various reasons (non of which were my own fault) The iPod man who masproduces these things has no respect for the consumer and only makes "cool" looking stuff for little middle schoolers to run around in little skirts listeneing to them. Besides the Sandisk has NEVER stopped working, is WAY EASIER to maintain and use, and in my opinion looks WAY more badass!

There is my 2 cents. BUY THIS MP3 player if you want a quality, reliable, product.

[centralnjbill @ Mar 12th 2007 2:18PM]

When you iPod drones lose your songs due to a hardware glitch and glorious Apple tells you that you have to rebuy all your songs, I'll be happily playing with my new Sansa 280.

Death to DRM!

[cptkirk @ May 27th 2007 10:32AM]

so what is the difference between this and the regular e280? what are the rhapsody channels??
any other differences?

[frustrated @ Jun 8th 2007 4:47PM]

I have the 280 and it's fine - but I can't get the Rhapsody off! I tried reformatting it but Windows Explorer won't let me (I don't see a reformat button). I tried deleting everything but tat didn't work. Tried formatting in Windows Media, that didn't work. All the people who have spoken to me have the 260 or earlier models. I want this dumb rhapsody off - is it even possible to do that with the e280?

[DeathRidler @ Jul 6th 2007 6:51AM]

I once had a iPod nano (2gb)(despite I hated the iTunes), but I wanted to get a mp3 with more space...
And btw, I'm not some sort of iPod fanboy/hater..I'm not the kind of person that would buy or not buy something, because it was made by a certain firm. All I'm iterested in when buying...are the facts.
So originaly I wanted to buy the 8gb version of the iPod nano...and I had some time before I saved up the money, so I studied the other options I had.

I was a bit more on the side of the iPod, but I tried to be as neutral as possible.

So I took a look at the Sansa e280 (not the Rhapsody version), and immediately found out, that it had some nice stuff, that the iPod nano didn't...

Things that Sansa e280 has and the iPod nano doesn't have:
- A built in radio
- A built in mic
- A changeable battery (apparently you can't change the iPod nano battery yourself)
- Video feature
- If I go to my friends house I can drag&drop his songs on the Sansa and then play them (my iPod nano couldn't do that)

And my personal opinions about the sansa:
- I like the feel of the Sansa more then the ipod nano...It feels more secure and sturdy
- The only thing I didn't like, was the scroll wheel...but that is negligible, because the other functions make up for the scroll wheel
- I also didn't like, that the sansa was very ''fingerprint atracted'', but I fixed that with a leather jacket, that looks quite nice (a part of Sansa Travel kit)

Overall I like the Sansa e280 better than the iPod nano.

[phillip @ Feb 2nd 2008 6:43PM]

I'm thinking about getting a sansa after my brother got one, and it looks like something I'm probably going to buy. I used to have an ipod shuffle but I have too many songs, and i'm looking for something a lot better, but I already have itunes and I'm not sure what music programs the sansa is compatible with so could someone tell me if the sansa works with itunes so I won't have to buy the same music from somewhere else.

[Dave @ Mar 13th 2008 8:15PM]

Hi! I received this e280R player as a gift from someone who found it stuck in her seat when she got on a plane. How can I get the software CD? If it's a download someplace, please let me know. If you can burn me a CD, I'll pay your postage.
ThanX!!!

[ken @ Feb 17th 2009 8:37AM]

I have had this for more than a year. Picked it up for $80 at Costco on sale.

It does everything I want. Plays my MP3s (don't need a music service), gives me flash storage if I need it, and stores some cute little stupid pet videos for when the kids get bored.

It's also a tank. I have even managed to put a crack in the thick glass protecting the screen from carrying it in my pants pocket all the time- still works fine.

The buds that come with it are the best I've ever heard. And the thumbwheel works a treat - allowing one to page through hundreds of songs in seconds.

If I have a gripe with it, it is that it only allows one to create a single playlist (and maybe they've fixed that by now, I should check). The battery is still going strong. Sandisk makes great stuff.