Philips Digital Pocket Memo 9600

At first glance, this recorder looks so retro, you'd swear it could be steam powered. But after spending some quality time with its generous features, we came away impressed. Voice commands, three recording quality modes, and an enormous screen make the Pocket Memo a breeze to use. Some might question the Buck Rogers-inspired styling (we found it endearing), but the large buttons are welcome, and include an old school 4-setting slide button that lets you easily manipulate the controls with one hand. For the pleasantly paranoid, security features like file encryption and personal user key codes keep the recorder on lockdown.

WIRED Audio is fairly clear and uncluttered. Micro editing feature allows you to go back through a recording and add your own voice notes. Thought of a better intro for your overwrought argument? Fast-rewind and add audio without affecting the rest of the file.

TIRED While the separate LAN dock makes it simple to transfer files across networks, it's a pricey add-on at $300 extra. After continued use, the recorder gets hotter than a $100 bill in a gambler's pocket.

• Style: Voice recorders
• Manufacturer: Philips
• Price: $500
Release Date: March 03, 2007