Rio Carbon (5 GB) MP3 Player

I've used my Rio Carbon for a few years and it's performance has been satisfactory for my needs. My complaints against this Rio is how slow it seems to boot-up (near full storage has a factor), and that it produces a noticeable high pitched hum while in operation (which does not transfer through audio). Rio Music Manager program is a little tedious (even infuriating) and the time and date never remains correct (resets to Jan. 1970 ?!?), but these are trifle quirks and concerns.

I would consider charge time and holding a charge to be fair. After a full charge the battery will drain quickly regardless of daily use or not. But on the other hand, the Carbon will hold some power for nearly a week.

It's a know fact that small, frequently used, portable gadgets like MP3 Players are bound to take a few hard knocks (and survive), but not when it comes to the Rio and it's volume dial. Granted the knob placement is comfortable for the thumb, handy access for use on the go, but its also an Achilles heel. My Rio took a bump on the top right corner and my volume button was smashed down inside the frame, not easily fixed. This rendered my Rio next to useless because there is no other way to manually adjust the audio (like through the internal menu for example). The same thing happened to my sister who owned an identical Rio Carbon. An estimate on having it fixed was next to buying new.

Vulnerability of volume control in its construction design is an important characteristic to keep in mind when considering the Rio Carbon. I suggest buying a protective case (other than the one that it comes with) if you are still interested in a Carbon. Even though as a personal player, my Rio is useless with earphones and high non-adjustable volume, I still am able to use it through hookups with other external audio systems where I can regain some volume range (such as car radio, home stereo, etc.). This is still limiting but adequate for the time being. My sister was not quite so lucky. In the future it is uncertain that I'd consider purchasing a Rio Carbon again when shopping for a replacement MP3 Player.