Archos 605 WiFi

Touch screen-based pocket media players have all but made MP3 player obsolete. The Archos 605 WiFi brings the functionality of a netbook to the pocketsize media player. Granted, with the iPod Touch out there turning heads, this is nothing new, but the Archos 605 WiFi gives the latest generation of iPods a run for their money. For just over $200, the Archos 605 WiFi is an appealing budget alternative to the iPod touch as well. For users that hold no particular iLoyalty, the Archos 605 WiFi is the ideal high-tech media player.

Standout Features

• 4.3-inch touch screen with full QWERTY keyboard
• Plays MP4, AVI, WMA, MP3 and WAV files
• 800 x 480 screen resolution
• Opera internet browser capable

Features

The hands-down most notable feature of the Archos 605 WiFi is its nearly HD screen resolution. 800 x 480 beats out the majority of portable media players out there. On Archos 605 WiFi’s 4.3-inch LCD display, you’ll forget you’re watching video on a tiny tablet. And it is tiny. It’s only slightly larger than a man’s wallet. We don’t know how Archos’ engineers managed to pack so many features into such a tiny box, but we’re genuinely impressed.

Without paying extra for plug-ins, the Archos 605 WiFi will play MP4, AVI, WMA, MP3 and WAV files. Catching up on the latest season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia or learning Spanish with Primsleur are both within the realm of possibility during your morning commute. For an extra $20, the Archos 605 WiFi can be outfitted with software for Internet radio.

Regrettably, the Opera internet browser on the Archos 605 WiFi isn’t standard. You’ll have to pay $30 for the plug-in. We can’t imagine anybody buying a WiFi-ready portable media player without opting for a web browser. Any price tag you see on the Archos 605 WiFi is essentially $30 higher than advertised. If for some reason you’re comfortable forgoing the Opera browser, the Archos 605 WiFi can still access Youtube and Cinema Now (a pay for movie streaming service).

The Archos 605 WiFi is available with hard drives of 160GB, 80GB and 30GB. 30GB is way too small for any self-respecting mediaphile. The 80GB or 160GB model are more realistic options. It just depends on how large you want your media stockpile to be. In terms of price, the two models differ by $100.

And if music, video and internet aren’t enough for you, the Archos 605 WiFi can be converted into a mobile DVR. We don’t find the option to be all that appealing only because it costs an extra $100. TV critics and soap opera fanatics might think otherwise.

Summary of Reviews from Across the Internet

Newcomers to Archos find the interface on the Archos 605 WiFi to be intuitive and easy to use.

Given that the Archos 605 WiFi’s battery runs out of juice pretty quickly, users would love the option to have an extra, replaceable battery.

Summary

Cinephiles, human music encyclopedias, and brave newcomers to portable multimedia will find a satisfying, easy-to-use and reasonably priced option in the Archos 605 WiFi. The Archos 605 WiFi does just about everything you could want from a box smaller than a paperback book. With the Archos 605 WiFi , you can get online, watch movies, revisit sitcom classics, and listen to music whenever and wherever the mood hits you.

How does the Archos 605 WiFi stack up compared to other media players? Take a look at our side-by-side comparisons for detailed tech specs, prices and feature comparisons on the latest media players. At TopTenREVIEWS we do the research so you don’t have to.