Hands on with Archos 604

Posted by T3 Online on Mon 7 Aug 2006

Today we got our hands on Archos' delicious new PMP, a month before it hits the shops, and we've taken photos so you can take a gander too!

Substantially lighter than Archos' last portable movie machine, the AV500, the 604 also sports redesigned controls.

The new design means it squeezes two functions onto each key, which are rocked from side to side, depending on what result you're after.

It's much smarter than the AV500's blocky layout, and does away with its predecessor's second set of vertical scroll keys - a flawed design which left our reviewer flummoxed on numerous occasions .

The new player's screen is an improvement too, and while it's the same spec as the AV500, seems much sharper and glossier.

One small, but valuable addition is that of a kickstand to the 604's rear. It means you're free to prop the little fella up on a desk, rather than permanently cradle your movies on the move.

The Archos' interface has been also been polished. Menus are quicker, buttons fade gently when you're done with them, and small refinements to on-screen volume bars and duration displays make the whole experience much slicker.

Archos has done away with the charger this time round too, letting the player suck up juice through USB - a much more elegant option than the AV500.

Overall, the 604 feels infinitely more portable than its ancestors, and while the interface is still not perfect - pressing the right side of a button to scroll down, for instance - it's a vast improvement, and a welcome addition to any pocket.