First seen at Computex, the K-PEX is Kingston's entrance into the PMP / DAP market. Could Kingston emulate the phenomenal success that the SanDisk Sansa currently enjoys in the US with their K-PEX?

Looking more like a game console (Game & Watch anyone?) than anything else, the K-PEX comes with support for most popular audio and video file formats. Aside from audio and video, this handy device also supports .txt and JPEG files, comes with an FM radio and voice recorder, and can act as a USB host drive. 2GB of flash memory and an expandle miniSD slot (a 256MB card is provided free with the 2GB package) provide storage options, while a fairly competent 2-inch display serves up text, video and the GUI.

With 14 buttons overall, using the K-PEX can be confusing at first. Once over the learning curve, navigation becomes intuitive, given the interface that is typical of most media players made in China or Taiwan. Video quality is better than average on the 2.0" screen but, as with all smaller screen sizes, eye strain is a very real concern. Audio is also slightly above average, with our main concern being the less than clean delivery of the audio signal.

Overall, the K-PEX looks to be a device that is targetted towards those looking for an introduction into the world of digital media. At the same time, its solid but plastic build makes it a suitable device for the youth and those with active lifestyles.

Look for a comprehensive review soon in HWM's October issue.

More information on the K-PEX can be found here.