Archos 105 2GB - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Can Archos challenge Creative and Apple?

Pros: Small, tough, cheap

Cons: Memory quota, screen quality, screen size, interface

Verdict: If you must have a dedicated MP3 player look elsewhere

Review summary: The Archos 105 is a flash-based MP3 and video player, which is available at a bargain price. It looks good -- it's slim and weightless yet still has a rugged feel. The player is easy to use and you can sort music by album, artist, song, genre and ...

Pros: Design ; price ; fairly easy to use after practice ; bookmarking option ; drag and drop support

Cons: Average sound quality ; no included software for video conversion ; average battery life ; poor screen

Verdict: A distinctly affordable player but very average performance and feature set reflects this. If you're eager to have video alongside your music and are on a tight budget, you'll probably be happy. If you're not fussed about video, or can stretch to a ...

Pros: The Archos 105 MP3 player is one of the least expensive video-worthy MP3 players on the market.

Cons: The Archos 105 only comes in a 2GB capacity and lacks competitive features such as an FM tuner, voice recorder, or line recorder. Despite its relatively large screen, the video resolution is disappointing.

Verdict: There are better MP3 players than the Archos 105 available at this price, but few with so large a screen.

Pros: The Archos 105 MP3 player is one of the least expensive video-worthy MP3 players on the market.

Cons: The Archos 105 only comes in a 2GB capacity and lacks competitive features such as an FM tuner, voice recorder, or line recorder. Despite its relatively large screen, the video resolution is disappointing.

Review summary: Striking that convergence balance between music player and pocket video player is tricky. Has Archos mastered it here without compromise?

Verdict: Archos' 105 isn't a bad player for the money. Just under -60 gets you an attractive, well-designed piece of kit, a reasonably-sized colour LCD screen and decent usability as well, all of which are hard to come by at this end of the market. But it's ...