Archos 605 WiFi review

Excellent storage capacity and top video performance make this a cracking buy Tested at £299.00

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

  • +

    Capacious storage

  • +

    top-drawer video

  • +

    bags of features

Cons

  • -

    Quite large

  • -

    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.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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