Videonow XP Silver Player by Hasbro

Editorial Review

Sure, you can let your child use your laptop to watch movies or play games on a long car ride or airplane trip. But do you really want risk losing valuable work data or have sticky hands touching the keys? Hasbro’s VideoNow XP is a durable 8-1/2-by-5-1/2-inch handheld video system on a smaller scale for a smaller audience. The system only plays personal video discs (PVDs) specifically designed for this player, which limits the viewing choices and gets a bit pricey as they are not rentable like DVDs. Among the viewing choices are cartoons, young adult shows and movies, and music videos. This XP model also offers interactive gaming PVDs.

This mini-laptop opens up to reveal a 3-inch backlit screen, which is just big enough to follow what is happening in the show. A 180-degree rotating hinge adjusts the screen to a comfortable angle for watching on the go. Video controls are along the front of the keypad area and feature play, stop, forward, and back buttons. A four-way directional pad for gaming is located on the upper left side of the keypad. Just as with an adult laptop, the VideoNow XP has a high-quality speaker, volume and contrast controls, and DC power and headphone jacks. This system runs on three “AA” batteries. The previous incarnation of this toy was awarded the Best Toy of 2004 at the Ultimate Toy Awards Show. –Cristina Vaamonde