What Hi-Fi? Verdict
The PC peripheral finally hits the main-stream, with this easy-to-use touchscreen device offering quality video and loads of extras
Pros
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Capacious storage
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top-drawer video
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bags of features
Cons
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Quite large
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still not very pretty
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Archos has worked hard to ensure this new player looks less like a PC peripheral than previous offerings. Even so, the 605 still comes across a bit like a computer add-on: a dull, silver rectangle with an LCD screen.
The user interface has also been tweaked, and the combination of on-screen pushes and a selection of responsive buttons makes the 605 reasonably easy to use.
Archos allows you to take the long way home
A valuable addition to Archos' repertoire is Wi-Fi, and while the storage on offer here is 30GB, there are also 80GB and 160GB versions available.
With video, colours are natural and vivid and even fast-paced action doesn't blur. The 4.3in screen also makes it ideal for longer viewing sessions; while you might struggle to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy on some rivals, you could wile away a long-haul flight to Oz with this baby.
