—
Archos 5 Internet Tablet (A5S) review
- includes:
- 8GB (Flash),
- 16GB (Flash),
- 32GB (Flash),
- 160GB (Disk),
- 500GB (Disk)
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Features No comments
- Display No comments
- Battery life No comments
- Ease of use No comments
- Storage capacity No comments
- Design and form factor No comments
- Portability (size / weight) No comments
- Durability No comments
Detailed review
I've had my 500 GB Archos 5 IT for almost a year now, and it's put up with a lot. It is an incredibly durable beast of a device it has survived being dropped on countless occasions (Remember there is a spinning HDD in there).
There are tons of apps that work with the A5IT, I've never experienced a problem in this aspect.
The display is absolutely gorgeous, HD video is jaw-dropping on this thing, I watch it over my computer and TV at times.
The battery life is not as impressive as you're told, I feel like I have to charge mine every night, I don't know where Archos got their numbers from, maybe it depends on your model, but mine only goes for about 7-9 hours on a single charge.
It's extremely easy to use, 3 simple buttons, nice touch screen that works well with a stylus. I took a point off because it's a resistive touchscreen which is borderline obsolete and doesn't support multi-touch. Transferring media onto it is extremely simple also, whether you're using Windows Media Player, or a third party media player transferring is very easy (You can also transfer through Windows Explorer as if it were an external drive if you want). Unfortunately Archos does not update this devices firmware anymore, and it doesn't support flash (Online video is.. Sucky). And you didn't here this from me, there are custom third party firmware for it, but you risk Bricking this lovely device (cough, cough, OpenAOS)
Storage capacity is 500 gigs, can't complain about that at all. Transfer rates can be slow. But still... 500 GB. 5*
Design is pretty nice, but it's smudgy, the screen and back plate are fingerprint magnets. But if you keep it and your fingers grease free, it looks wonderful.
My Archos 5 IT is thick (still 500 GB though) and feels awkward in my pocket (it does fit), unfortunately if you sit down you feel like it will either break in your pocket or fall out due to its bulky shape and size. No matter how durable it is, this is always in your mind.
All in all this is a wonderful device and I will look into Archos in the future for my next media gadget.
There are tons of apps that work with the A5IT, I've never experienced a problem in this aspect.
The display is absolutely gorgeous, HD video is jaw-dropping on this thing, I watch it over my computer and TV at times.
The battery life is not as impressive as you're told, I feel like I have to charge mine every night, I don't know where Archos got their numbers from, maybe it depends on your model, but mine only goes for about 7-9 hours on a single charge.
It's extremely easy to use, 3 simple buttons, nice touch screen that works well with a stylus. I took a point off because it's a resistive touchscreen which is borderline obsolete and doesn't support multi-touch. Transferring media onto it is extremely simple also, whether you're using Windows Media Player, or a third party media player transferring is very easy (You can also transfer through Windows Explorer as if it were an external drive if you want). Unfortunately Archos does not update this devices firmware anymore, and it doesn't support flash (Online video is.. Sucky). And you didn't here this from me, there are custom third party firmware for it, but you risk Bricking this lovely device (cough, cough, OpenAOS)
Storage capacity is 500 gigs, can't complain about that at all. Transfer rates can be slow. But still... 500 GB. 5*
Design is pretty nice, but it's smudgy, the screen and back plate are fingerprint magnets. But if you keep it and your fingers grease free, it looks wonderful.
My Archos 5 IT is thick (still 500 GB though) and feels awkward in my pocket (it does fit), unfortunately if you sit down you feel like it will either break in your pocket or fall out due to its bulky shape and size. No matter how durable it is, this is always in your mind.
All in all this is a wonderful device and I will look into Archos in the future for my next media gadget.
good review!
0 people find this review helpful