Review: Archos 5 portable video player

Is the Archos 5 the Wi-Fi, touch screen, internet media juggernaut we hoped for?
(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)If you want a portable video player that can browse the Web over Wi-Fi, but the iPod Touch is just too puny, then the Archos 5 is worth a serious look. You get a luxurious 4.8-inch, 800x600 touch-screen display, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Opera Web browser, Flash 9 video and game support, up to 250GB of storage, and loads of video, audio, and photo format compatibility.
It's not all gumdrops and unicorns, though. Buggy applications, measly battery life, limited accessories, and a smudge-loving design make the Archos 5 hard to love unconditionally.
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.




