Beauties

Archos 5 Internet Tablet

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Archos 5 internet tablet

New Delhi: The Archos 5 Internet Tablet is surprisingly thin and light, thanks to its solid-state 60GB storage.

But this is no featherweight -- it also has a meaty 800Mhz processor to cut through the work of running Google’s powerful Android OS. Sadly, despite the open platform, it’s not Mac-friendly.

The screen is 800-pixels wide -- the native width of regular internet pages. That means browsing isn’t hampered by limited viewing space or reduced function mobile sites.

The browser is fast and stable, and while it doesn’t do Flash (yet) there’s a YouTube app. That glossy plastic housing and pocked metal trim pick up nearly as many finger smears as the 4.8-inch touchscreen.

But thanks to Archos’ video skills you won’t be looking anywhere but the display. The built-in kickstand is a masterstroke for prolonged video viewing sessions.

Whether it’s video or audio, the internet tablet supports just about any format you throw at it, including FLAC lossless audio files. In case you end up running out of space there’s a microSD HC slot to boost the memory.

It’s Android underneath, but the proprietary top layer makes the whole experience a bit sticky. And because the tablet doesn’t comply with Google’s spec brief, it’s banished from the Android Market for now.

Verdict
Still the portable video king, but the Archos needs to polish its app skills if it wants to compete on the Android stage.
Price: Rs 39,440
Capacity: 60GB + microSD HC
Screen size: 4.8-inch, 800X480
Connectivity: 3.5mm socket, Bluetooth, dock, micro USB, Wi-Fi
Battery life: 22 hrs audio, 7 hrs video

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