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View Full Version : Two Internet Media Tablets from Archos


Chris Gohlke
08-20-2008, 05:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/08/archos_7_is_an_even_larger_internet_tablet_7inches.html' target='_blank'>http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archive...et_7inches.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Announced alongside the Archos 5, the Archos 7 is in the same class of devices, except that it boast an even larger display and storage (320GB max). The display resolution stays the same (800x480), that might be great for those who think that such a resolution is too small on a 5" device. That might make the touch-interface even easier to use as well. Just like its smaller sibling, it supports WiFi and 3.5G, making it a potent wireless device. Other than that, they pretty much share the same capabilities."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1219196951.usr10.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Prices range from $350 to $550 depending on the screen size and the drive capacity.&nbsp; If you like the tablet options of something like the Nokia N8xx series, but long for more storage and can live with a little less ability to customize, this could be a sweet device.</p><p><em><strong>Edit:</strong>&nbsp; The above quote references 3.5G for some reason when it really appears they mean that it has a 3.5mm headphone jack.&nbsp; Good catch Dyvim.&nbsp; Or them mean 3G.&nbsp; Thanks lobber.&nbsp; Or maybe they mean both!<br /></em></p>

Dyvim
08-20-2008, 01:51 PM
What's 3.5G? When I read that, I thought it had support for next generation fast cellular data connection, but I don't see anything in the specs. Seems like they goofed on seeing the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Still a sweet looking bit of kit. 7" could be nice for those aging eyes, but on the other hand a bit large and heavy for a device that doesn't do more.

Chris Gohlke
08-20-2008, 04:55 PM
Updated post, thanks!

Andy Dixon
08-20-2008, 05:10 PM
No, they do actually mean 3G networks. The Archos 5G is due in Jan 09 with 3.5G (HSDPA). See link for more info: http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5g/index.html?country=global&lang=en

Dyvim
08-20-2008, 05:23 PM
Of course the post above only referred to the 5 and 7 models rather than the 5G. Looks like there will not be a 7G. Interesting that they're marketing the 7 as a travel companion when it only gets 4 hours of video playback. You'd think they'd be able to fit a bigger battery in the larger, thicker case. Better have a power adapter handy!

Andy Dixon
08-20-2008, 07:16 PM
I'm actually totally underwhelmed by the new offerings. I currently have the Archos 605 Wifi 4Gb flash version and I don't see anything new that would make me want to upgrade or choose the new versions over the current offerings.

Yes, the interface is new, but it still does what the old one does. Admittedly web surfing is supposedly better compared to the clunky effort on the 605, and it can now play music while surfing which the 605 can't do. I'm not sure what else it offers though over what I already have.

My first impressions are they are offering it more as a Mobile Internet Device, rather than the PMP that the 605 is marketed as. If this is the case, then it's not a replacement for the 605, but a different offering altogether.

The 3 main dissapointing things for me personally are:

1. No flash version is offered. This is a personal preference as I use a helmet camera with my 605 to record snowboarding and biking trips. A HDD is too much at risk of a jolt from a fall and losing all the data.

2. The battery life is advertised as being worse than the 605. Not that the 605 is great, but you would think they would have improved on it.

3. With such a poor battery life, and the complaints about this from 605 users, why didn't they listen and put the removeable battery back like it used to be in older versions of the archos devices.

Still, if I was buying for the first time then I might be tempted, but for the same money or close I could get one of these EEPC type laptops which would surely be better.

It will be interesting to see the reviews when they start to appear. It will either be a winner or not depending on which market they are aiming at.

k1darkknight
01-10-2009, 06:45 AM
My first impressions are they are offering it more as a Mobile Internet Device, rather than the PMP that the 605 is marketed as. If this is the case, then it's not a replacement for the 605, but a different offering altogether.I've actually been looking into the Archos 7 for a month or two now, and from what I've seen, they're actually marketing it as both an internet AND media device.

The 3 main dissapointing things for me personally are:
1. No flash version is offered. This is a personal preference as I use a helmet camera with my 605 to record snowboarding and biking trips. A HDD is too much at risk of a jolt from a fall and losing all the data.True, there isn't a version that includes a memory card slot, but they offer accessories (like the a dock) that have two (I think) USB 2.0 ports. I don't know 100% for sure what all USB host features it supports, but I DO know it has mass storage support, and I believe even standard input devices, like keyboards & mice. Granted, separate storage wouldn't be practical while snowboarding or biking, but it gives you a way to offload (or onload) data, when you can sit still with the thing for a few minutes...

2. The battery life is advertised as being worse than the 605. Not that the 605 is great, but you would think they would have improved on it.Actually, according to Archos' own specs (http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_7/specs.html?country=us&lang=en), is has 10 hours for video playback. Granted, that's without using the WiFi, or any other power-draining features at the same time, but still...how often are you going to be using WiFi and watching video, other than YouTube?

3. With such a poor battery life, and the complaints about this from 605 users, why didn't they listen and put the removeable battery back like it used to be in older versions of the archos devices.And finally, the Archos 7 (see above spec page) actually DOES have a removable battery pack. I haven't yet seen a replacement battery offered on their site, but give it time.


From what I've seen on various forums, it seems the biggest complaints from those who own either an Archos 5 or 7 is that Archos' support (both tech AND customer) is virtually nonexistent, and that the Flash support can be spotty on websites, particularly some of the more popular video sites, like hulu.com . On the other hand, users say it works just fine on YouTube, so any site that uses a virtually identical interface to theirs should work fine.