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Another one of TDK’s Docks made it to my desk, literally. It wasn’t as funky as the iCubic of course but still very neatly designed. As the iPod and iPhone environment is growing, docks like these are getting cheaper and cheaper, but do they provide more for the money or less in terms of features and quality. Allow me to provide you with an answer especially if you’re considering the iSlim. Form Factor Once again we see that TDK has kept the weight factor in check and we have with the 2.8KG iSlim a light weight easily portable dock. Sadly though, even though it’s light weight you won’t really be able to ‘port’ it any further than the large DC adapter cord lets you. It’s using NXT Flat Panel Speakers for its audio output, thus giving it its name iSlim. It gives your tabletop a rather creative look. In between the speakers is a monochrome LCD display with a blue backlight. It’s clearly visible from any angle with large clearly laid out options. On the top of the dock are function soft keys for accessing a variety of features and settings that the device is capable of handling. Of course it lacks a few of the features which can only be used via the remote. I can’t call it a full function remote as it lacks the function for memory storage for FM radio stations. TDK has also provided all the necessary dock connectors for all possible iPods. One thing missing was a Line In cable for connecting other players. At the rear, at the bottom on the side is the DC socket for the 12V adapter. At the top on the opposite side is a 3.5mm socket for the Line In. What really adds to the design form is the antenna aerial for the FM radio. It boosts reception and gives the dock a certain j'nais se quois, nostalgic feel of an old tabletop radio. Features and performance Let’s start off with the FM radio. If placed appropriately reception is not bad at all. The remote also has a Stereo/Mono switcher so if stations are available in stereo you can opt to select that. Oddly though, I noticed that the clarity was a lot better by switching it off, even if the station is in Stereo. The Auto Tune still needs work. It’s way too slow. But it’s only a one time thing so no worries. It took awhile scanning for the stations, but once you memorize them (9 in total) you’re good to go. There are 20 presets available for use, not that you’ll need so many. You can use the remote to access the function and skip stations according to the order you memorized them in. I’m as annoyed with the Snooze button on the iSlim as with the iCubic. It’s just too small. If I try to hit it in my sleep, I just know I’d knock it off the table. Considering the slim design the Snooze button placement on the top was NOT a good idea. Since it’s already there, if it were at least a lot longer, it would have served its purpose. As is though, it’s not easy to reach. |
Tags: Dock , Apple , iPod , iPhone
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_011517074205_160x90.jpg "Epson Stylus Photo R3000")
