I’ve always thought that the Sony Discman models from the late 80s through possibly the early 90s was when Sony hit peak design. For the most part they were still heavy, all metal cases and high quality components throughout. Sure, this was before the anti-skip technology came into existence so they were all prone to skipping at the slightest bump, but you couldn’t fault their aesthetic. While Sony marketed them as on-the-go machines, they really weren’t. Portable? Yes; portable as in they weren’t 18-inch wide units you’d find in a home stereo. They were—and still are—perfect for desk use, which is where I use mine. I remember taking my Discman to work and jamming out to Miami Sound Machine on many a hot summer afternoon while drafting construction documents at Kim Acorn Associates in Tucson, Arizona..
