Archos 5 60GB - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet offers outstanding video performance and great Web capabilities, with the Opera Web browser pre-installed and support for Adobe Flash content included too. Though Archos has fixed some problems from earlier models, ...

Pros: Amazing screen ; design ; decent capacity options ; revised interface ; video subtitle support ; accessories ; optional PVR functionality ; Flash 9 support

Cons: Additional-but-essential codecs cost more money ; no 720p H.264 support ; can't output to TV without costly adaptor

Verdict: If you can afford it and want the best combination of Web access and outstanding video performance, this is one of the only players in the world you need to consider, despite its flaws

Pros: Attractive, sleek design, Sharp, responsive touchscreen, Very good A/V quality on player, Good Internet browsing and e-mail experience

Cons: Audio sometimes out of sync with TV output, Recording with optional DVR station is problematic, Picks up fingerprints easily, Issues with CinemaNow downloads

Verdict: The interface is well organized using brightly colored icons with easily readable text labels for the main and sub-menus. It's easy to navigate with taps and swipes of a finger, and you can use your fingernail for more precision. The roomy virtual ...

Review summary: Does this offer more than just video playback?

Pros: Screen, features, menu interface

Cons: Have to buy lots of dongles and software add-ons to get the most out of it

Verdict: If you want more than just video playback this is one to check out

Review summary: Archos's new "Internet media tablet," as the company calls it, is available in 60GB ($349.99 direct), 120GB ($399.99) and 250GB ($449.99) capacities, and along with the iPod classic and the Microsoft Zune 120GB is the last of the hard drivebased ...

Pros: Tons of storage. Sleek design. Huge, beautiful screen. Built-in Wi-Fi and Web browser. On-screen home button for one-click main menu access. No need for stylus

Cons: Quite expensive. Power button is also the reset button. Touch-screen interface is not as sophisticated as iPod touch's. UI could stand to be streamlined a bitrequires too many clicks at times

Verdict: This hard drive based PMP offers oodles of storage and a lot of the features that come with the flash-based iPod touch, including built-in Wi-Fi, a Web browser, and a big, beautiful touch screen.

Verdict: iPlayer compatibility and an array of features, but this PMP feels like it's being left behind