Archos 5 Internet Tablet is better than iPod Touch

 

 

LA Gadgets Examiner Rating: A-

Archos has always been a strange company. They have always been first to deliver a new type of technology (they had a portable MP3 player and video player before Apple), yet they always screw it up and another company makes the same product and gets all the credit for inventing it. The tides are changing though and Archos delivers a definite winner with its Android powered Internet tablet. The only problem is the title: it should be called the Android 5 Media Tablet because that's where its strength lies.

Specifications

• Display characteristics:  High resolution touch screen, 800x480 pixels, 4.8'' TFT LCD, 16 million colors
• User interface: Touch screen, ON/OFF, vol+ and vol- buttons, retractable virtual keyboard
• Main processor: ARM CortexTM-A8, 32 bit, In-order, dual-issue, superscalar
  core @ 600 MHz
• Additional processor: 32 bit DSP @ 430 MHz
• RAM memory: 128 MB* (Low-Power Double Data Rate SDRAM)
• Flash Memory Version: 8 to 32 GB* + Micro SD Slot (SDHC compatible)
• Hard Drive Version: 160 to 500 GB*
• Operating System: Android 1.5 

Build and design

The Archos 5 Internet Tablet comes with a SSD (8GB to 32GB) or an HDD (160GB to 500GB) drive. It also has a microSD card slot. We tested the 16GB SSD version, which is much thinner than any of the hard drive versions. It looks large and beautiful, but can still fit in a pocket.

The metal backing with the plastic front makes this device feel comfortable in your hands. There is a volume button on the top along with a power button. The addition of a kickstand makes this device more useable. Take a shower and put this in your bathroom to understand what we mean. 
 
Click here for Part 2 of this review