Archos 5 60GB review

We've just tested the first of Archos's new 'internet media tablets' in the shape of the 5 personal media player. Can it beat the mighty Apple? Tested at £280.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Sleek and slim but a bit big for the average pocket – get past that and video and internet functions are excellent

Pros

  • +

    Large screen, great for internet browsing

  • +

    good music and video playback

  • +

    60GB HDD is good value

Cons

  • -

    Fairly bulky

  • -

    pipped in performance by the iPod Touch

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Archos has been doing its thing in the world of portable multimedia players for longer than most – but since the arrival of you-know-who to the market, it has had to up its game.

If this device from the company's range of internet media tablets is anything to go by, it's done a pretty decent job of keeping pace.

It is one of the larger portables you could spend your cash on, but it still feels sleek and slender in your hand. Could you carry it everywhere you go just tucked in to your trouser pocket? Unless your name's Coco, maybe not.

Nevertheless, if you're prepared to take the extra bulk for video, music and internet browsing on the move, then the Archos 5 has plenty going for it. The 4.8in, 800 x 480 LCD screen is the largest of the four here and the Archos 5 comes complete with touchscreen controls.

It's a clean, clear interface that provides an intuitive control system.

There's a 60GB hard disk drive to fill – there are 120GB (£320) and 250GB (£360) models available, too – with a choice of MPEG4, WMV, AVI and Flash movies plus the usual selection of audio formats, including AAC and Apple Lossless.

Sings on the internet with Opera
You'll get a solid 12 hours of music and a slightly underwhelming four hours of video from the battery.

However, the feather in this machine's cap is the internet access. Unlike previous Archos machines, this one has the Opera browser included allowing you to browse content once you're on Wi-Fi.

The large screen comes in to its own here, allowing for a bigger keyboard than the iPod Touch, for fast, error-free navigation. If you want yet more functionality, there's an £80 DVR for recording from and streaming to your TV, plus a £25 plug-in for HD compatibility.

Video performance is detailed and with good colours, although not quite as sharp and stable as the iPod Touch.

Musically, it lacks a little of the Touch's insight, though it sounds very balanced and natural.
The Archos 5 has plenty going for it in terms of performance, features and functions but rivals have managed to push the perfomance bar higher this year

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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