Archos 5, 5g and 7 "internet media tablets" are here to slap your puny PMP upside the head

So Archos still seems to be struggling a bit matching the design curve of the industry, but boy oh boy can they pile on those specs. The new Archos 5 and Archos 7 "generation 6" players offer capacities as high as 320GB, well-res'd screens and just about every codec we'd ever need -- plus available plug-ins to cover the rest. But that's not even the exciting part. The Archos 5g adds in that 3.5 HSDPA data we were hearing about, providing true on-the-go surfing, and all three players sport WiFi as well. Sizes start off at 30GB for the Archos 5g, which runs a 800 x 480 4.8-inch touchscreen. The Archos 5 bumps that up to 60-250GB, while the Archos 7 does up 160GB and 320GB, with a 7-inch touchscreen that sadly matches the 5 series' resolution exactly. All three players can record VGA video through an optional DVR Station dock or the DVR snap-on accessory, and Archos will have plenty of other accessories in the offing as well. As for player design, Archos has made considerable strides in thinness, with the Archos 7 at 0.63-inches thick, and the Archos 5 as slim as 0.5-inches, depending on drive size, but we're not crazy about the new look -- though we're sure opinions will vary. No word on price or availability just yet, but stay tuned.

[grull27 @ Aug 19th 2008 12:53PM]

If only we knew the price...

[KRiS..! @ Aug 19th 2008 12:56PM]

60 GB 349.99 € Incl. taxes

120 GB 399.99 € Incl. taxes

250 GB 499.99 € Incl. taxes


for the 5 version, the 7 version cant be found on their eshop

[kidkool @ Aug 19th 2008 1:01PM]

US:
Archos 5 - September: 60GB - $350, 120GB - $400, 250GB - $450
Archos 7 - October: 160GB - $450, 320GB - $550
Archos 5G - December: 30GB - $550

UK:
Archos 5 - September: 60GB - £279, 120GB - £319, 250GB - £359
Archos 7 - October: 160GB - £359, 320GB - £439
Archos 5G - December: £359

[phanbouy @ Aug 19th 2008 1:02PM]

the 60 GB would cost 12,657.77 in (Soviet) Russia Rubles

[Ignatius @ Aug 19th 2008 1:16PM]

In Soviet Russia, Archos buys you!

[shach @ Aug 19th 2008 1:48PM]

at 11 mil % inflation it will cost few trillion in Zimbabwe..

[icepop4who @ Aug 19th 2008 2:27PM]

does the 5g need a data plan? do you need a carrier? answers please...

[Phoenix @ Aug 19th 2008 3:08PM]

Yes, yes. it clearly says so on their site.

[Cash @ Aug 19th 2008 4:19PM]

I don't know what you Engadget guys are jabbering on about... I think the new design is pretty slick, and a far cry above the previous generation and it's goofy side buttons and brick design. I almost bought last year's 7" model for my folks to take on the plane when they travel, but I'm pretty sure I'll wait a few months for this new model instead.

[KRiS..! @ Aug 19th 2008 12:54PM]

I actually like the 5 version. I believe it kinda compares to the ipod touch although the one has the screen real estate and the codec support while the other has the users support, providing many extra apps.

[Al @ Aug 19th 2008 1:08PM]

Except the previous model the 605, was hacked to run a version of Linux on it.

[1234321 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:30PM]

where are all those zune fanboys who boast about their "huge" 3.2" QVGA 64000 color screens now?

[Al @ Aug 19th 2008 1:49PM]

Arguing wit the ipod people.

If the past is a tell the Zune will still sound better than this.

[Broken_Haiku @ Aug 19th 2008 12:54PM]

Yum! I've never been very impressed with the PMP:s so far (Got a PSP so far, it's _OK_), but now they really seem to be getting somewhere spec-wize. I might just get one of these.

[James Yopp @ Aug 19th 2008 2:46PM]

If you're buying a PMP based on specs, you're probably doing something wrong. Unless by specs, you mean "codec support".

[Javi0084 @ Aug 19th 2008 3:28PM]

I'm confused James, I thought buying based on specs was the smart thing to do. Or should we buy based on hype?

[seraphaxg @ Aug 19th 2008 12:56PM]

60 GB £ 279.00 Incl. taxes
PRE-ORDER now! Shipping Early September
Ref. 501116 UPC Code: 690590511163
120 GB £ 320.00 Incl. taxes
PRE-ORDER now! Shipping Early September
Ref. 501122 UPC Code: 690590511224
250 GB £ 360.00 Incl. taxes
PRE-ORDER now! Shipping Early September
Ref. 501128 UPC Code: 690590511286

[Brandon @ Aug 19th 2008 1:00PM]

looks sexy. I used to own an archos, i wish they would use flash memory to 32GB or 64GB. Afdter being used to the speedy ipod touch (and the thinness), I can't ever go HDD again.

[kidkool @ Aug 19th 2008 1:02PM]

then again they have upgraded the processor to an apparently way more powerful one..

[neothoms @ Aug 19th 2008 1:12PM]

The flash memory is faster with very small files like music but it's awfull with big files like the movies.
The Hard Drive is the best option

[roman.kim @ Aug 19th 2008 12:58PM]

I've had a 504, and thought it did everything I ever needed. The next year came the 605 and I was tempted to get it for the wifi streaming and web browsing capabilities. Now this... So far just seems like an improved fifth generation with a faster cpu. Also looks like a big fingerprint magnet, so I think I'll use my 605 until the 7th generation. (can't be too long)

[Bobs @ Aug 19th 2008 1:12PM]

Ive still got my AV500 sitting on my desk

[Craig @ Aug 19th 2008 2:24PM]

I have a 605. It's buggy as heck and locks up probably every 6th use or so. I won't be buying another Archos device for quite a while.

[Dhomas @ Aug 19th 2008 2:55PM]

@Craig: Try upgrading your firmware. All my little complaints about my Archos device disappeared once I upgraded the firmware.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Aug 19th 2008 3:57PM]

I'll second updating the 605's firmware. It didn't solve everything, but it's much more stable now.

[MJ @ Aug 19th 2008 1:02PM]

The 800x480 resolution on the 7" model is a bit disappointing. It's fine for SD video, but it makes for a cramped web browsing experience. Otherwise, not a bad package.

[maveric101 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:17PM]

honestly, though, that's the same size and resolution screen as an Eee 701, which is a "netbook"...

[Marc453 @ Aug 24th 2008 5:39PM]

I've owned the 704 and traded it in for a 705, and while the concept is good the execution is flawed. I eventually returned my units as the updates to firmware rendered them inoperative. Help from the company was useless, with them telling me that the 704 firmware would not be updated as the newer 705 was being release. I had bought the additional warranty from the retailer and was able to upgrade to the 705. My woes began with the update to the firmware which killed my wi-fi connection. Subsequent updates by the company did nothing to correct the problem. I would suggest waiting a bit before even looking at these. The problem is that these devices cannot compete with the functionality of a netbook computer. Plus the netbooks are cheaper.

[dustinlikewhat @ Aug 19th 2008 1:03PM]

so when are they going to put bluetooth in these things? anyone know if their host port could control a bluetooth adapter?

[Juxtah @ Aug 19th 2008 1:04PM]

They look OK (I'm not a fan of the curved edges) and the codex support is also pretty good (Though as usual Archos are charging you for some things...) The only thing that killed it for me is the battery life for the Archos 5, 12 hours of audio and 4 for video is seriously bad. Still waiting for the D3, and if not I'll grab the D2, with 50 hours of audio and 10 of video.

[Charbax @ Aug 19th 2008 1:46PM]

Consider the screen is bigger then any other PMP and the device is super thin so they cannot do magic with battery effeciency.

They have a Extended Battery option which kind of doubles the battery life: http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5/accessories.html?country=global&lang=en&p=battery

[Taustin Powers @ Aug 19th 2008 1:05PM]

I thought it looked really interesting until I read the "battery life" section of the specs. Bummer...

[Rudy C @ Aug 19th 2008 4:10PM]

I cant believe they dont have the kick stand for the 5 series..
or am i not looking close enough

[216 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:07PM]

the anti-ipod sense in me says DO WANT

[dustinlikewhat @ Aug 19th 2008 1:08PM]

when are they going to incorporate bluetooth? anyone know if you can use their host port to control a bluetooth adapter?

[dustinlikewhat @ Aug 19th 2008 1:08PM]

argh, this posting system will be the death of me.

[Alcoholicaust @ Aug 19th 2008 1:39PM]

Eh, I bought an Archos a couple months back. I was pretty excited with it, until I figured out I had to pay $30 just to download the internet browser. You have to purchase all the plugins from archos, and they werent cheap. my "good deal" ended up having crazy hidden costs. stupid impulse purchase.

[Charbax @ Aug 19th 2008 1:59PM]

These new Archos Internet Media Tablets seem to have the web browser with Flash support included by default.

[zfurie @ Aug 19th 2008 1:13PM]

Hmmm. looks like this is preferable to having UMPCs.

This + netbooks/ultraportable is probably a very good combo rather than UMPC + anything for someone on the go ie

netbook/ultraportable (computer and media point for other devices like digital cameras and their SD cards)
archos (PMP, external storage and backup)

This'll last me a month's trip into Indonesia!

[Charbax @ Aug 19th 2008 1:50PM]

I think the perfect combo is this in one pocket for Video and Browsing with an unlimited 7.2mbit/s HSDPA sim-card in it and a $10 mobile phone with a cheap pre-paid plan in the other pocket.

[Lee @ Aug 19th 2008 1:15PM]

Almost got excited until I saw no love for FLAC...does anyone know if there is a plug in for FLAC support?

[Greg Legowski @ Aug 19th 2008 3:43PM]

I had the same question. Flac and OGG support are the dealbreakers for me if I'm going to bother replacing my old Creative Zen, which is still perfectly functional for MP3.

[sojyujai @ Aug 20th 2008 3:34AM]

I'm in the same boat - I've been craving some of Archos' toys for years now but they keep refusing to support ogg & flac and I keep refusing to buy them. Luckily for me Cowon makes players that are just as good with ogg and flac support. Cowon can be slow in development so I'm betting it will be a while before Cowon delivers anything like this - but in the meantime the A3 is more than good enough for me.

As far as Archos providing a plug-in - there's nothing mentioned on their website and they've never bothered to provide one in the past. I'd be amazed if it ever happened. If it did I'd probably run out and buy one the next day.

[corsini @ Aug 19th 2008 1:18PM]

hmmm, pretty dissapointing to say the least. These are all beasts! the entry level at 4.8 inches. Styling is pretty poor IMO too. And I don't know whether any one noticed but the battery life is abbysmal. 12 hrs audio 4hrs video, can you imagine what battery life must be life browsing the web over wifi or 3G? pretty poor effort all round from archos. Cowon kick the crap out of them every time, the P% is gonna sh*t all over them.

[voodoo @ Aug 19th 2008 1:22PM]

You've got to pay extra to play HD content, you've got to pay extra to play AC3 audio, and you've got to pay extra to play H264 content. That's at least 3 extra plugins, probably €20 each.

Crap product.

[Charbax @ Aug 19th 2008 1:53PM]

You can't play any of these codecs on an iPod Touch, not even DivX, XviD, WMV and Flash video streaming which is included by default and which are the main codecs most people need.

[RobertT @ Aug 19th 2008 5:01PM]

Why you got to bring up the iPod? Seems to me he was only pointing out a few of its shortcomings, that's all.

[E71 @ Aug 19th 2008 10:46PM]

@Charbax

Our needs have changed. We store television shows in HD now, dumped in H264/AC3 MKVs. The new Archos range doesn't support that so it's useless to people like me.

I hate how its concentrating more on the Internet/other aspects when it's supposed to stick to being the king of media players (in other words most codecs/resolutions).

I guess Archos has forever lost me as a customer. I'm waiting on compact UMPCs/Tablets with dual-core Atoms and decent-sized SSDs -- having a PC on the go should sort out codec issues even if it introduces a short battery-life issue.

.|. Archos!

[Charbax @ Aug 20th 2008 12:50AM]

Archos has not confirmed yet the specifics of the 720p HD support.

I am hoping that since it supports WMV 720p HD, that it should as well be able to support H264 720p using the MKV container, and also hoping that there is some trick to store MKV files larger then 4GB on this devices FAT32 formatted hard drive.

[vasilis @ Aug 19th 2008 1:23PM]

280£???? 550$ for a 60GB 5" player???? They have to be jocking right?