My year-old Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet was very unhappy yesterday when a thinner, lighter, more powerful version of itself waltzed into Pocketables HQ and had the audacity to demand that it be addressed by an almost identical name.
The brazen, just-released Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android (which we’ll simply call the Archos 5 Android from now on) stripped off its packaging and challenged the old timer to a hardware throwdown. They would meet again in a web browsing duel and other situations in due time, but a superficial battle of outward appearances had to be done first. Though showing some definite signs of wear on its once-glossy casing, the non-Android Archos 5 accepted the challenge. See how it went below.
But first, the requisite Archos 5 Android unboxing:
Compared to the lakeside unboxing it had last year, the Archos 5 IMT was unfazed.
Still, it was quick to point out that its hefty 250GB hard drive made it 0.3 inches thicker than the 60GB IMT released alongside it last year. It also noted that the Archos 5 Android Flash series was about half as thick as the Android Hard Drive series. In other words, pitting a 250GB HDD-based IMT against a 32GB SSD-based IT isn’t fair. If nothing else, then, you can at least get an idea of how the flash and hard drive versions of the Android tablet will compare.
That said, let the pictorial battle begin!
The Archos 5 mini dock, which was originally released to expand the functionality of the Internet Media Tablet, is also compatible with the Android tablet.
Is it silly to ask which one you think should be declared the winner?
The Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet is available now from Amazon starting at $370.
Congrats! My A5A has been very stable and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
There is no winner.
There are only the losers who keep buying Archos products that become obsolete and unsupported within 6-12 months of release. My Archos5 worked adequately, but there was so much more that could, and should, have been done with that device, and will never be done.
I’ve been living on the bleeding edge of tech for a long time, but I’ve never been more bothered than by the way my Archos 5 become yesterday’s news within 6 months of release. Archos could have at least made an effort to show some improvements to the firmware.
There is no long term future for a niche product company that sells products that cost 300$ and up, but provides lousy support. Sooner or later (sooner) their consumer base walks away. Maybe after the first time they get screwed, maybe after the second, but inevitably it happens.
Nice to see backward-compatibility on the old dock.
i totally agree with you…
i just wish that My IMT can play MKV files like the Android
Although, according to Archos, the new 5′s are not compatible with the more expensive DVR dock. Of course, they can’t keep the TV Program Guide service running, anyway, rendering it largely useless…
My Archos 605 WIFI still works very nicely. Buying a new device every year is silly unless it’s broken, stolen or lost.
Now if Apple ever decided to make a larger screen for the iPod Touch…
I’ve had a 605 for about a year and a bit and I was very disappointed by the lack of support – there was one firmware update and then after Archos released their next version I never saw another update ever again. Also by making users pay to unlock features which are already on the device was way underhanded (it was literally a code that unlocked it) – if I was paying for updates to the firmware that added extra codecs, more flash/video support and features then thats would be different. By charging £15-20 each for a Web Browser, MPEG2 etc and then literally turning their back afterward is almost like robbery for a £250-300 device that Archo will already have made a profit from. (I was particualrly annoyed at the WMV codec being old and never updated)
While the drag and drop functionality is useful for videos and such – I can’t see myself buying a Archos device again in the near future – The battery life even with care was rather erratically low – it also if empty is didn’t like being used when charging rather than actually powering itself through the cable and charging with any remaining power. This basically killed any ideas for using the device for long trips.
While the latest flash based version looks good – I know I could grab a very useful (and well supported) Ipod Touch for the same price and kit it out with apps I want. While the inconvenience of video conversion and paying a small price for updates would be annoying it not like I can’t live with that as at least I know it is getting an update….
I agree as well I have an archos 605 1 year life cycle and not another update F#@$ Archos the GPS is so messed up I sent it back for a broken suction cup and never heard another thing.
then people would gladly get a new one every 6 months?
It would be so cool if Archos would port the Android OS to the Archos 5…
I alos have an Archos 605 WiFi, and I am also unhappy. At the time it seemed Archos provided something that was very unique and added feature simple not available anywhere else.
Now the rest of the competition has caught up (almost) but make up for thd difference in so many ways that paying for plugins (that should be standard) gets me upset. Their support is very lacking.
Honestly, why are these things so buggy? Bad optimizatons… Web support is a joke… Its not like codecs change, but it seems every new firmware breaks something simple.
At this point, Archos is not getting me to buy another one…
It’s true – the lack of mkv support in the A5 is extremely frustrating, as much of what I watch is in this format.
The fact that they could put it on the A5A tells me it would not be very hard to make it possible on the A5. It’s just software.
But then, of course, there would be one less reason to buy the A5A if you already have the A5. So… I guess us A5 people are just SOL.
I have the A5-original it’s crap worse than the zune I had before. It has its up sides (capacity and internet) but more down sides (my harddrive is already on its last leg and I bought it less than a year ago, the battery is less than half than advertised, the internet will crash the device after 5 minutes use, have to buy plugins, the DVR EPG is never working in the US and the GPS POI crashes the device). Nope I’m never buying another Archos product again.
Also, I think the photo face off is unfair. It should have been the 60gb A5 versus the 32gb A5a, not the 250gb A5. The 60gb is much thinner than the 250gb. These pic make the 250gb look super thick and the A5a super thin. But is about the same with the 60gb A5. Oh well just MHO.
I posted a bunch of infos from an Archos source on the latest firmware and on the upcoming firmwares: http://archosfans.com/2009/10/15/my-source-at-archos-provides-more-information-on-the-new-stable-firmware/
Other than mkv video, what other formats does it play, divx/xvid etc.?
Here John
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5it/specs.html?country=us&lang=en
Yes it does.
Not that you would need those if you had the possibility to play MKV tho;)
Anyways, your question been answered in my first line.
Thanks for the link and info. Wish it could play divx or xvid, have a ton of movies in that format!!
It does not play divx/xvid read the link below for A5a spec’s. Divx isn’t listed; might be $50 plugin though.
blah blah, DivX is included for free.
DivX = Mpeg4 simple profile.
Of course it plays DivX up to 1280×720, XviD up to 1280×720, H264 up to 1280×720 all included for free with the device.
There is only one plugin for the 3 codecs that are WMV-HD (normal WMV is free), Mpeg2 and AC3.
Thanks for the informative question and answer post at that link, Charbax…
Makes you wonder why Archos didn’t just wait an extra few weeks and release the devices with a stable firmware.
Fortunately, the IMT and Android generations include the web browser for free. The H.264 plug-in is also free for the Android tablet.
Yes, the point you make in your second paragraph is already addressed in the post:
“…its hefty 250GB hard drive [makes] it 0.3 inches thicker than the 60GB IMT released alongside it last year”
“…Archos 5 Android Flash series [is] about half as thick as the Android Hard Drive series. In other words, pitting a 250GB HDD-based IMT against a 32GB SSD-based IT isn’t fair. If nothing else, then, you can at least get an idea of how the flash and hard drive versions of the Android tablet will compare.”
I used the 250GB A5 because it’s the only one I have. The hard drive Android models are about as thick as the 250GB A5, also already stated in the article, but I wanted the SSD version. Both of these are my own personal units that I bought myself, so I had to go with what I wanted.
Yep, DivX and XviD are both natively supported. It’s the only thing I have/play on all of my Archos PMPs (this is my 6th one).
I know. No ill’s intended.
Why is it. Charbax the douchebag who runs Archosfans, always replies to any and every Archos related post on the net. If you visit his site, This loser is a total moron, And has no clue or a life at all.
He’s a Fanboy if I ever seen one. Just some fat loser type that has nothing better to do than defend archos when there products and support sucks. People on his on site even thinks he’s a moron. So pay charbax no mind.
Ohh I sorry Charbax is just a Bald Loser Fanboy.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6356210893786138054#
John, it DOES play Divx and Xvid!!! lol
So far I am unimpressed with Archos support. Like swg, I’m finding that my less than 1 year old Archos 5 IMT no longer is receiving updated TV Program Guide data. When I contacted Archos support, some guy “Tim S” said the service was down with no known time estimate of when it would be back up. Period… that’s the reply, it’s been down a long time. I spent money on the dvr attachment and it’s useless without the tv program guide updates. I was pretty happy with the Archos 5 IMT up to that point. But if they don’t fix that, I will never buy Archos again!! Archos are you listening, support your products…. at least for 1 whole year.
I find it funny that everytime I read product discussions about an Archos product, they become rather nasty. I currently own 2 Archos 504s, 2 Archos Gen 4 DVR stations, 1 Gen 4 Helmet Cam, 1 Archos TV+, 3 Archos 5 (250GB), 3 Gen 6 DVR Stations, 1 Gen 6 Battery Dock and 1 Archos GPS (that I use with one of the Archos 5′s. I know that is alot to have but the system I use it for makes it worth it.
Unlike several other people (including the Colorado Archos Help Desk) I have had zero issues with any of my devices. I use them for many things have have taken them to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Sure sometimes they take longer than I want to load a video, but they always play the videos I have. I used the helmet cam in Iraq for some videos out in the towns and never had an issue with missing a moment of what I recorded. Yes, it does suck to go out and buy the silly plugins, but I went into buying the device and knew the price. The following is a layout of what I do with my Archos on a daily basis (without failure).
I own two Linksys NAS 200 (with 2 1TB drives) hooked to a D-Link N Router. I use the UPNP media share to manage my videos, music, and photos. I wake up in the morning and go to my garage. There I have a Archos 5 hooked to a DVR Station. The video is moved to a Pocket Projector and the audio is moved to a Logitech speaker set. I play P90X from the network to the archos into the projector to a 60 portable screen. Next I undock the Archos 5 and dock it into the Archos GPS and drive to work. I like to use the GPS function to tell me how fast I am going because my spedometer is hard to read. I listen to music while all this is going on. When I get to work I undock the Archos 5 and take it to my desk. There I use it to listen to music while I work. (The Batt lasts all day with the screen off). I return home in the same manner. While I am at work my children use the Archos TV+ (which is hooked into my 65in TV through the HDMI port). All day long the childrens shows are playing while they run around the house and be kids. My wife uses the Archos 5 in our bedroom to listen to music during her morning routine (it is connected to a 32in TV through a DVR Station with the HDMI port). She turns it off and goes down stairs. She uses the third Archos 5 attached to another 32in screen to play her Fav TV shows. All the movies and TV shows are on the Network and are played simultaneously without issue. My wife uses the E-Mail App to check her e-mail as often as she wants from the two 32 TVs and every now and then she surf the web. She tells me that she rarely does it becuse gets what she needs from the e-mails. Whem my wife and kids have to go places they use one of the Archos 504′s with a Gen 4 DVR station. It is plugged into car using the RCA port. (We like to use the 504 because it has the TV button to quickly release the screen and access it again). (They also use it to play thier favorite songs). At the end of the day I will use the TV+ or downstairs Archos 5 to watch the TV shows I have DVRed from prior days. Or my wife and I will watch a movie on any of the screens. My kids have the other Archos 504 in thier bedroom (it is not a network peice so they cannot access any of the non-kids videos from the network) and they watch a movie before they go to bed.
When I travel I take an Archos 5, a Battery Dock, a Gen 6 DVR station, the Archos GPS, the Pocket projector, the portable screen, and the logitech speakers. This way I can watch and listen to what I want to on the plane, I can find my way when I get there and I have a 60 screen to watch what I want when I am in my hotel room. I also use it to brief from by turning the presentations into pictures. (rarely use the helmet cam any more on trips but that is because I have not pushed the money for the Gen 6 version). When I fly with my kids we all have an Archos to watch what we want while in layover and in the plane. I get to watch what I want and they do to. It is perfect for flight. When we get to the place we are going we have the ability to play thier movies on the Hotel TVs, or the TVs at grandma’s house.
Yes Archos has the worst Customer support but I rarely have to use them so I could care less. Yes it sucks that I want the new Archos 5 Android and I just feel like I received the 5′s. Yes it can suck paying for the plugins, but for what they give you I could care less. To all the nay saysers I have to say that I am sorry you have had a bad experience with yours, I love mine and every person who has seen my set up has gone out and purchased a set for themselves.
So to end this and I am sorry it has taken this long but to end this I have to say. Push the device and it will surprise you. I push mine by using it constantly and in many differnt ways. Those who complain have expectations that are above what can possibly be done, or love other companies and can’t look past small imperfections.
Im about to purchase the A5A, and heres my big decision…The 32gb A5A vs the 500gb A5A…Flash vs Hard drive ( especially when Im using this mostly in my car )…I like the size of the 32gb but the capacity of the 500gb version…hmmm, what do to…Disregarding the price, any insite ?
My only concern about mobile hard drives is their ability to last…
This may be a culture/market issue. In China, with no US lease-to-buy teleco oligopoly, handsets are considered more disposable than in the US.
Which is part of why most mobile innovation is happening there, not here (for any US or EU value of here).