Archos 5 60GB review
A bit of a tease
The good people at Archos have been manufacturing portable media players since long before anyone had even heard the word ‘iPod’, so the Archos 5 Media Tablet is – theoretically at least – the culmination of many years of experience.
It’s not a bad looking culmination either, sheathed in a shiny copper-tinged metal shell. Compared to other PMPs, the Archos 5 is not particularly small – but then neither is the display. A full 4.8 inches of high-res liquid crystal loveliness extends almost from corner to corner of the unit’s upside.
The screen is touch-sensitive too, which explains the relative scarcity of buttons, since virtually everything can be controlled via even the clumsiest of finger jabs. The interface is pretty intuitive and features some neat touches, such as animated icons for movies, though it can occasionally be a bit sluggish and we were faced with an hourglass symbol rather too often for our liking.
Out of the box, the Archos 5 can do a number of things, including playing music, movies and photos in a veritable cornucopia of formats. It’s also wi-fi-ready and, unlike many of its rivals, the Archos 5 can browse websites that include Flash content, which basically means you can watch as many funny YouTube clips of people falling over as you like as well as BBC iPlayer.
But, like so many Archos products before it, the 5 only really comes alive once you start shelling out for add-ons. Software packs will add features like games and further format compatibility, while additional hardware accessories unlock tantalising possibilities such as TV recording (with the DVR Station, £80) or faster battery charging (via the Mini Dock, £25). It’s a bit of a cheek that you can only charge the unit via USB unless you invest in the Dock, especially since it takes a billion years (well, eight hours) to squeeze a full battery’s worth of juice out of your PC.
Still, video playback is impressive and if you have the cash to splash on the extras (and, preferably, on the more expensive 250GB alternative the 60GB model we tested), then the Archos 5 has the potential to be a serious challenger to the iPod Touch.
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The 5 only really comes alive once you start shelling out for add-ons
| Our Rating |  |
|---|---|
| Price | £280 |
WE LOVE
Touch-screen interfaceLarge screen
Smart
Solid build
WE HATE
Crap earphonesNeed to buy add-ons to unlock the full potential
WE SAY
Fully accessorised, the Archos 5 is a force to be reckoned with, but the basic package is a bit of a teaseEssential Mobile Apps
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By g4rfi3ld
5|02|2009 05:16
I can't understand why that many companies are trying to expand their business to full-touch mp3 devices.
I mean, okay, Samsung and Sony have been huge in this business but Archos is not a company which I know. I doubt that they are going to be able to compete against the upper called two companies.
By turntable
2|12|2008 16:57
waiting to buy the 7 rather than the 5, with working nights, its the ideal size for me and my friends to gather round and watch a film, during breaks...
Archos is the best all round player you can buy, I should know! this will be my 5th one, and it keeps its value on Ebay when you want to sale them.