I looked at them 10 months ago (wife wanted something simple to listen to CD's in the spare computer/bedroom) and after sorting through hundreds of reviews I came to the conclusion that most/all of them were unreliable crap.
I then pulled out my last NIB Sharp SD-EX111 and mated it with a pair of small Polk speakers.
If you could get by with CD (only) and a pair of ear buds there are NIB Radio Shack Optimus portable CD players on Ebay for around $60.
There is even a completely rebuilt and modified (per Stereophile recommendations - plus an ALPS volume pot) CD-3400 for $350.
If this purchase is to impress U of I college girls may I suggest the addition of a nice Fedora.
DeKay