The PJB-100 has always interested me. I believe it was the first HD-based MP3 portable available, much like the empeg was the first HD car stereo.

If absolute smallest size is not an issue, I think it's probably a better choice than the iPod because the hard drive is easily user upgradable and the device has a published software interface. I also like the unit's minimalist design, similar to empeg. Supposedly the user interface is as good or better than the iPod. The unit is a little bigger than the iPod, but smaller than everything else. Considering the PJB-100 came out in 1999, I'd say it's far more innovative/engineering marvel than the iPod.

However, the price is quite high. The cheapest I could find the 6 GB version for is $389. If I could get this for as cheap as the Archos ($199) I think I'd buy one without hesitation.

Since the PJB-100 was designed by Compaq's research laboratory they inherited from their purchase of Digital Equipment Corp, it's no surprise the unit is "kick ass", yet a commercial failure. Digital was always a leader, yet they failed to market well. Did you know that dec.com was first .com address on the Internet?