Archos 5 (250GB)

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By Donald Bell, CNET.com
Nov 27, 2008

The Archos 5 is a beautiful touchscreen media player offered in several high-capacity models (60GB, 120GB, and 250GB). Archos made a splash with 2007's 605 WiFi, an Editors' Choice winner and one of the first portable media players to offer a full Web browser along with a host of video and music playback features. The features we loved in the 605 WiFi are still here in the Archos 5, but there are some notable drawbacks that prevent the product from realizing its potential.

Editors' note:

The following review has been updated to reflect product firmware updates that have increased battery life, improved system stability, and expanded audio format support. The product rating has not changed.

This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some other products or telcos in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia.

Design

Archos is promoting the Archos 5 as a Wi-Fi Internet tablet, but its chromed plastic enclosure and 5-inch touch screen look more like a luxury GPS unit. In fact, for an extra US$129 you actually can use the Archos 5 as a relatively sophisticated in-car GPS system. Unlike its predecessor, the 605 WiFi, the Archos 5 is controlled almost entirely by its touch screen, with the exception of a power button and volume rocker on the top edge of the device. A 3.5mm headphone output is located midway up on the left edge, making the gadget more awkward to hold than the 605 WiFi. Thankfully, a built-in kickstand folds out from the back of the Archos 5 for hands-free viewing.

The Archos 5 measures 127mm wide, 76mm tall, and 12.7mm thick (or 19mm thick for the 120GB and 250GB versions), making it not much bigger than the 605 WiFi. Despite its similar size, Archos was able to squeeze an extra half-inch of screen onto the Archos 5 by removing the redundant physical controls found on the company's previous players and placing the integrated speaker on the right edge of the device instead of the front.

Another surprising design change from Archos is the use of a glossy-coated screen instead of the matte, antiglare screens that have been a hallmark of its previous products. Combined with the Archos 5's glossy, reflective enclosure, Archos has created an ideal breeding ground for fingerprints and smudges.

When it comes to touch-screen, Wi-Fi, do-everything portable video players, you only have a few options. The iPod Touch (left) and Archos 605 WiFi (right) offer several advantages over the Archos 5, but can't deliver the screen size and storage capacity of the Archos 5.

Another small, but significant design feature that distinguishes the Archos 5 from previous Archos PVPs is the use of new proprietary dock connection. We've given Archos some flack before on its use of a nonstandard connector for its USB cable, but the upshot of the unique dock connection has been its compatibility with Archos accessories such as battery packs, FM tuners, video cameras, and AV docks. The introduction of a new dock connection on the Archos 5 has severed its compatibility with existing Archos accessories, with the exception of the in-car GPS cradle. Archos is busy making new accessories for the Archos 5 (including the new Archos 5 DVR Station); however, early adopters have only a few options currently and users looking to upgrade from older models may feel some resentment over replacing their existing accessories.

Tags: Archos, Apple iPod, touch screen, GPS, Apple iPod Touch

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