▸MZ-E55

100　｜　Sony　｜　'98  10.10

Sony新聞稿指出，日本攜便型MD市場，於'96年秋天起正式迎向普及期，'97年達到153萬台(EIAJ數據)，而'98年預估甚至可多達5成增幅的230萬台(Sony預測)。

"初次見面似曾相似"是MZ-E55的第一印象，半圓弧線、極醒目MD Logo元素與前作的MZ-E35頗為異曲同工，整體上則往更為極致的規格發展~

E55採用更為高強度、高質感的鑄鎂機身，同時相較E35體積比-32%，實踐年度最小機身也是Sony初首台達成MD Jacket Size機型。

常見的MD Logo印刷處理，E55上則以金屬鑲嵌處理，展現旗艦機的質感與作工。素雅的機面上若隱若現的加工營造獨特的意境感，然而不搭嘎的梯形視窗却生硬突兀地亂入。

去年剛登場的Stick Controller線控，以轉動按壓的新奇直關的操控體感，開拓確立了嶄新的設計經典，本次也升級為粉絲們敲碗的絢麗的背光照明，讓好用與好看兩者兼具。線控端與耳機接頭也採用通規3.5mm，讓用家能任意搭配耳機。

僅1.2V的充電片或AAx 1即可驅動，續航略升級的充電池7.5小時，並擁有1小時高速滿充點。16Mbit DRAM的40秒的防震記憶也不缺席。

令人頗意外地雖貴為名門Sony，也許是少了一擊必殺的形色或機能亮點，歷史上似乎並未受到矚目而有些平凡哀怨地淹沒於過往的曾經中...

The Sony press release points out that the domestic portable MD market in Japan officially entered a popularization phase starting in the autumn of '96. Sales in '97 reached 1.53 million units (EIAJ data), and are expected to increase by as much as 50% to 2.3 million units in '98 (Sony forecast).

"A sense of deja vu upon first meeting" is the first impression of the MZ-E55. Its semi-circular curves and highly prominent MD Logo element share much in common with the previous MZ-E35, while overall it moves toward even more ultimate specifications.

The E55 adopts a magnesium die-cast body with higher strength and premium texture, while achieving a 32% volume reduction compared to the E35. This realizes the year's smallest body and marks Sony's first model to achieve the MD Jacket Size.

Instead of the common printed processing for the MD Logo, the E55 utilizes metal inlay processing, showcasing the texture and craftsmanship of a flagship model. Faintly discernible processing on the elegant face of the machine creates a unique sense of mood; however, the mismatched trapezoidal window awkwardly and abruptly crashes the party.

The Stick Controller, which just debuted last year, established a brand-new design classic with its novel and intuitive operating experience of twisting and pressing. This time, it has been upgraded with the gorgeous backlighting that fans have been clamoring for, offering both usability and great looks. The controller end and the headphone jack also adopt a standard 3.5mm size, allowing users to pair headphones at will.

It can be driven by just a 1.2V rechargeable lip battery or AAx1, with the rechargeable battery life slightly upgraded to 7.5hrs, and features a 1-hour high-speed full charge. The 40secs anti-shock memory from the 16Mbit DRAM is also present.

Quite surprisingly, despite its noble Sony lineage, perhaps due to the lack of a killer stylistic or functional highlight, it seemingly failed to attract much attention historically, fading into the past with a somewhat ordinary and sorrowful obscurity...

MZ-R55