Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet
Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet Review
There are hundreds of reviews already, so I won’t belabor the points you already know. What I do want to tell you is to be extremely cautious when buying one of these. If you’ve recently looked at the Archos website, or seen an ad for the “5″ Tablet, the ones being sold on this page are NOT the same device, so please be careful to know exactly what it is you’re buying. I’ll explain several things you’ll need to know before making a purchase…
There are THREE different versions of the “5″ model Tablet!
Archos originally came out with two Media Tablets, the “5″ and “7″ models (I bought the 5. –The number designation equates to screen size). Shortly thereafter they briefly had available a variant of the “5″ unit, called the 5G. Those models were intended to be used with the 3G network instead of Wi-Fi. Those vanished quickly, and I can’t even find a listing for them anymore on the Archos website. I imagine it was due to the fact that they weren’t phones, so nobody wanted to pay for a dedicated connection just for their media player. Just a guess.
Now jump ahead about two years to today, and Archos has released a completely new, vastly different “5″ Tablet. The new version has a slightly redesigned casing, uses a combination of both the Archos OS and the newer Android, has the ability to rotate the screen sideways for reading eBooks more easily (a feature I had dearly prayed they’d add for my older model with a firmware update which, sadly, they never did), and various other new features. The big problem is that Archos decided to reuse the naming scheme for the new device, and truncate the name of the older versions. The older Archos 5 & 7 models are now called simply “Media Tablets,” whereas the new Archos 5 is labeled as an “Internet Tablet.” (Not to be confused with the new Archos 9 Internet Tablet.)
The problem is further compounded by the fact that Archos keeps slipping up when referencing their devices. The “old” devices are sometimes listed as both “Media Tablets” and “Internet Media Tablets.” The NEW “5″ model is typically only called an “Internet Tablet,” and the 9 is alternately called either a “PC Tablet” or “Internet Tablet.” Confused? Yeah, me too. 
How to tell them apart:
This can get a little tricky, short of looking up actual part numbers, which some sellers won’t have available to look at anyway. If you’re buying from Amazon, the pages should keep them separate, and you’ll be buying the older version if using this page. If you’re looking for the newer version, do an Amazon search for “Archos Tablet” (no quotes) and you’ll be able to see the variants side-by-side. They use different images so it makes things much easier (the newer models have a different menu, and are slightly more oval). Unfortunately this won’t help much if you’re planning on purchasing elsewhere and are just using Amazon for research.
The best method is to note the size of the hard drive. There is only one size that overlaps between the two primary “5″ models.
Original Archos 5 Media Tablet: 60GB, 120GB, 160GB, and 250GB.
NEW Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 160GB, and a massive 500GB.
Knowing the sizes can help you avoid buying the wrong model, but it should be noted that the only overlap, at 160GB, happens to be the model’s “sweet spot” for pricing. In other words, many customers will look at, say, the 32GB, and notice the retail price is only more for the 160GB, something you’d be crazy to not take advantage of (it’s another 0 for the 500GB model), so if going for the 160, be VERY, very careful to make sure you’re buying the right one. Pricing has come down, naturally, for the older version. Many stores now carry the original version, with 250GB, for about 0-250. Knowing the pricing can also help you tell which it is you’re looking at before adding it to a shopping cart.
A few other comments…
I’ve only owned the older “5″ model, so can’t comment whether some of the shortcomings (not many; this is still a great, if expensive, device) are still present in the newer one. Bulk is one factor to consider. I got the 250GB version, and it’s bulky and heavy. Worse, watching videos from the hard drive will eat-up a lot of juice quickly. I suspect that models with much smaller hard drives don’t use quite as much juice, so it’d be a tradeoff on battery longevity (unless they’re using solid state discs, something I’ve never looked into). I’m able to watch maybe one movie before the battery dries up using the 250GB version. Also, be sure to FULLY CHARGE the unit the first time, prior to unplugging it and using it. The battery appears to be susceptible to… ah, I can’t recall the term. It’s when a battery will never charge more than it was charged the very first time. There’s a name for that, but I forget. But yeah, the batteries they used in those older models will do that, so be careful. I also encountered an odd thing worth relating. If powering your device from the USB port on your computer, make sure your PC is properly grounded (ie. the motherboard properly attached to the casing). If not, your Archos will actually give you a very mild shock while charging if you touch it. You might consider buying one of those USB wall-plugs so you can plug it directly to a wall socket to charge (doing so also allows you to actually use the device while it charges –very nice for times when you’re away from home and have a plug available).
Ok, that’s all I can think of. Hope it helps.
Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet Feature
- NOTE: For best experience, fully charge your device before turning it on (about 8 hours)
- 250 GB capacity for up to 300 movies, 2.5 million photos, or 145,000 songs
- Up to 22 hours music and 7 hours video playback time on a single charge
- 4.8-inch TFT LCD touchscreen; 800 x 480 pixel resolution; 16 million colors
- Video support: MPEG-4, WMV, and M-JPEG; Audio support: MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, WMA pro 5.1, WAV; plug-ins available for further video and audio format support
Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet Overview
Archos, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players now introduces a new concept: the Internet Media Tablet (IMT). The Archos 5 is the flagship product of this new line, bringing you a new way to enjoy the Internet, your media, and TV–all in a handheld device. The Archos 5 250 GB IMT is a high-end portable device with an ultra-thin design, a black stainless steel body, a high-resolution 5-inch touchscreen, and the horsepower of a laptop.
Enjoy Internet, media, and TV in a handheld device with a 5-inch touchscreen. Click to enlarge. |
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(Click on image below to change view.)
Buy or rent media from the Archos Media Club, surf the Web, and enjoy your music, photos, and videos anywhere, anytime. |
Ultra-slim at just half an inch deep. Click to enlarge. |
Uncompromised Web Surfing in the Palm of Your Hand
With an 800-pixels-wide resolution and a 5-inch screen, you can browse the Web just as you would on your PC. No need to zoom in and out, as web pages are fully displayed on the Archos screen. Plus, with Adobe Flash 9 video support, you can natively browse video-sharing websites, such as Dailymotion or YouTube. The Archos IMTs boast enough processing power to surf the Web on the go, just like you were doing it with your laptop. No more endless waiting for the page to load; just grab your Archos 5 and check the latest news right away. Your PC wouldn’t have finished booting up by the time you’ve put the Archos back in your pocket. Once connected to a Wi-Fi or 3.5G network, the included email software allows you to check your email accounts (compatible with POP/IMAP) whenever you want. See the number of awaiting emails right on the Archos 5 home screen, answer back, or share attachments with anyone (only compatible formats). Stay in touch while on the go.
Download hundreds of useful and fun widget applications and then put your favorite ones on the Archos home screen. Check the weather before leaving for work, or see the latest sports results without having to start a new application. In less than three clicks, you can access nearly 1,000 Web TV channels, more than 10,000 Web radio stations, and 100,000-plus podcasts. There’s no downloading wait time. Radio and TV start streaming right away from a worldwide list of traditional and independent radio and TV stations.
Your Digital Library in a Thin Handheld Tablet
The Archos Media Club remains the easiest way to get video and music content on the go. With an even richer library featuring new partners and the biggest industry players, the Media Club lets you discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music, and games. Buy or rent your entertainment in a couple of clicks and start watching it on your Archos 5. Enjoy a great multimedia experience on the go with a high-resolution 5-inch touchscreen right in your hands. Enjoy your favorite videos, browse through your photos with a simple flick of your finger, or play a slideshow of your last vacation.
Plus, you can store your entire CD collection comfortably on your Archos device–there’s plenty of room. Rediscover songs left aside for months, or show your friends your latest discoveries. The unique Archos music browsing system allows you to create your playlists without using a PC, and the displayed album covers complete the experience.
Don’t get bored on your commute. For a little fun before getting to work or whenever you have a little time to kill, grab your Archos and enjoy some poker, Sudoku, or a round of golf. Premium games can be purchased directly from the tablet or at www.archos.com, or find Flash-based games downloadable for free on the Web.
When you’re at home and want to watch a movie or listen to music stored on your PC, just browse the device’s hard drive wirelessly and play it without transferring the file. Just stream it via your Wi-Fi network and enjoy it on your Archos.
Experience the Best TV at Home or on the Go
With the optional DVR Station, you have the perfect match for your Archos 5 at home and on the go. Schedule and record TV shows and movies in one step with the included remote control. Just locate the TV show on the program guide grid, and you’ll have a recording to enjoy at home on your widescreen TV or in the palm of your hand. The DVR Station also will turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Enjoy all the Archos functions on the big screen in your living room. Watch your movies in HD, listen to your music, share your high-resolution pictures, play games, or surf the Web.
| Plug-ins: Add even more capabilities to your Archos 5
Free with registration: |
 Web browser: Open up your Archos device to the full power of the Internet with a full-fledged Internet browser. Surf the Web via the Opera web browser with Adobe Flash 9 video support. |
 Web TV & Radio: Receive via the Internet nearly 1,000 Web TV channels and more than 10,000 Web radio stations. Select your stations by popularity, genre, country, etc. from the Archos video and audio browsers. |
 TV Program Guide: Easily schedule your recordings with the TV Program guide embedded in the tablet. A couple of clicks are enough to check the scheduler, get instant information about the program selected, and schedule the recording. |
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Technology Meets Design
The Archos 5 features a comfortable, clear widescreen that’ll earn a few looks over your shoulder. The touchscreen technology ensures the most instinctive and direct way to access your movies, view your pictures, listen to your music, or browse the Web. The new graphical interface has been designed for total touch control. Reach the main functions with a tap, return at any moment to the home screen, and use the search function to access your files right away. Add shortcuts to your favorite files and display them directly on the Archos home screen for quick access. You also can bring your home screen to life with the new animated wallpapers.
This Archos 5 gives you 250 GB of storage for up to 300 movies, 2.5 million photos, or 145,000 songs–and the processing power to handle them. Enjoy blazing speed with the ARM Cortex superscalar microprocessor.
Add-ons–Enhance Your Archos 5
- DVR Station
Record TV, play video back to your TV, and charge your Archos device via the DVR Station. With the included TV Program Guide, scheduling and recording from your satellite receiver, cable box, Digital TV adapter has never been so easy. You also can surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer. - DVR Snap-on
Record from most any audio or video analog source on the move with the DVR Snap-on, a small device that’s no bigger than a pack of gum. - Mini Dock
Transfer your files directly from USB keys, digital cameras, or other portable media players with the Mini Dock. Quickly charge your Archos with the included charger/adapter. Play video out to your TV with video output in high quality S-Video or standard quality composite. - Battery Dock
Benefit from all the great features of the Mini Dock and get extended playback with the built-in backup battery. - Helmet Cam
Turn your Archos into a hands-free digital camcorder with the Helmet Cam, perfect for sports and family fun. - FM Remote
A built-in FM receiver and microphone on the FM Remote let you listen to radio anywhere or make voice recordings. - Protective Cases
Protect your Archos and show your style with a protective case. - GPS Car Holder
Turn your Archos 5 into a high-end GPS with the GPS In-Car Holder. - TV Snap-on (Available by end of 2008)
Watch live digital TV right on your Archos, record, and enjoy the time-shifting function.
What’s in the Box
Archos 5 250 GB Internet Media Tablet, headphones, Archos USB cable, DVR Station adapter (DVR Station is sold separately), screen cleaning cloth, quick start guide, legal and safety notice.
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 08, 2010 16:20:05
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