Archos 605 WiFi vs. Apple Ipod Touch
13 October 07Apple ipod Touch | iTouch
I have been wanting to get my hands on the ever so hyped up, oh so sexy iPod Touch portable media player ever since it’s release date of September 5, 2007. The sleekness of this glossy, shiny piece of eyecandy just called out to me. So what stopped me? The whopping $400 price tag on the 16GB model.
The 8GB model costs a hundred dollars less, however…that amount of memory will be insufficient if you’re gonna store videos on it. So what is a thrifty fresh geek to do?
Battle of the Portable Media Players
The question is: Will you be willing to sacrifice a little fashion for function and affordability? Well, let’s explore another option. Let’s get an overview of the competition:
Archos 605 WiFi
The Archos 605 WiFi is a portable media player. Like the Ipod Touch, you can use it to listen to music, watch videos, and surf the net via its built-in wi-fi. It’s not as “handsomely packaged” as the Ipod Touch, but it’s not too shabby either.
That being said, let’s compare and contrast the two devices.
Similarities
Here is the obvious:
- Watch videos
- Listen to music
- Store and view photos
- Built-in Wi-fi
- Touch Screen (Archos 605 is touch screen, Ipod Touch is multitouch screen)
The Separation
- Memory size
- Connectivity
- Music file support
- Photo Capabilities
- Price
Alright, so why should you even consider an Archos? Well, at the moment there are more limitations on the amount of memory the Ipod Touch is available in (8GB and 16GB) due its use of flash memory.
Yes, flash based memory is faster and more durable than HDD based memory(which is the reason I have an iPod Nano and not a classic iPod), but increasing the memory size of the iTouch will cause a a hefty price increase. The Archos 605 is available in 4 GB(flash based memory); and 30GB, 80GB, 160GB (HDD based memory) options.
The 30GB and up disk sizes are more suitable for storing video. *However if Apple can one day come up with a 32GB iTouch (iPod Touch) for the current price of the 16GB version, I’d definitely grab it.
*Just an update reminder: The Apple iPod Touch 32GB has been released since this post was first issued.
Yes, both the iTouch and Archos 605 allow you to connect to a television via component cables. With the optional Archos DVR station, you can connect the 605 to your satellite or cable box and record tv shows and movies directly onto its hard drive in MPEG-4 format.
The iTouch allows you to download movies, tv shows (as well as music) for a price via the iTunes wi-fi music store.
The 605 supports all music file formats that iTouch does +1 more. WMA files are supported also on the 605. This is not important to me at all, but I felt like mentioning it just because. Moving on…
Both 605 and iTouch have photo viewing capabilities, allowing you to zoom in on photos and create slideshows within the device.
Lastly (and in my opinion, most importantly), the price. The 605 is priced at roughly (4GB) $200, (30GB) $280, (60GB) $330, and (160GB), $575. The iTouch is priced at (8GB) $300, and (16GB) $400.
11/26/07 Edit: There has been a change of price for the Archos 605 160GB. It is now listed at Amazon.com for $376. If there’s other incorrect info in this post, or if you care to [respectfully] leave your 2 cents, feel free to in the comment box below this post.
Based on these findings, my decision will have to be between the 16GB iPod Touch and the 160GB Archos 605.
I realize that I haven’t listed all of the differences, but these are the ones that I felt will make a significant impact on my decision (less the bit on the music file support). I’m still open for discussion though…
32GB Apple iPod Touch
*Just a little update: The was recently released with a price of around $475, so you can add this model of the iPod Touch to your list of choices.
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29 Responses to “Archos 605 WiFi vs. Apple Ipod Touch”
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Even though the Archos is probably a better buy, I still want the Ipod Touch.
I kind of agree on that. I don’t believe I would purchase the Archos 605 for myself, but I would love it if I received it as a gift.
I would love anything that I’ll receive as a gift :)) But ok. Archos can be better than iPod. But I have to say that I would rather pay bit more for iPod touch which is much more stylish.
I would have to go for the logical choice of the Archos. If Ipod needed my money they would have made a better product (meaning more memory, better internet, better screen and less money). The Archos is better for your money with an LCD screen. I’m not going to use the docking option but I will purchase the internet. With a bigger and better screen I won’t have to keep on zooming in to read. I have tested both products since they can onto the market and the Ipods screen in smaller than you think.
If you have the money to spend on “style” and less memory when in a week the product will be a thing of the past then buy the Ipod but if you want more for your money get the Archos.
I think in iPod you just pay the quality and the mark.
I will buy an archos 605 wifi and i´ve already an ipod 1G Black 2Gb and i think that ipods are too much limitated (my bad english…)
ArCHOS is a better buy…
If you see pixmania, you’ve got good prices
archos 605 wifi 160Gb + DVR Station 460€
“Both 605 and iTouch has photo viewing capabilities, but the 605 allows you to zoom in on photos and create slideshows within the device”.
…huh.. ever heard of the pinching thing you do on the screen? IT ZOOMS IN!!! and yes there are slide shows.. i’ll buy a few thousand 605’s if i wanted expensive bricks to build a house..
@Tharon
I stand corrected, and that statement has been edited. There’s really no need for the sarcasm. Nonetheless, thanks for dropping by
Well the better choice is obviously the Archos, though if ur a more stylish kinda guy, well the sure that the Ipod, just dont expect that much except style. The archos isnt even that bad looking and i does so much more. It also is quiet convenient, it fits perfectly in a pocket. The only thing ill give ipods credit for is style. Just buy a archos for ur own good.
@Tremblay
Yes, that’s exactly the conflict that most buyers have. THE question is which matters most to you: features and price, or style? I’m guessing you’ve sided with features and price ;). Thanks for your thoughts!
THATS FALSE. I have a 160GB 605 and it only cost $400. Get it right. And based on how much apple is forcing you to buy the iTouch for by the time there is a 160GB version it would cost $2,200. NO JOKE.
If don’t have a very large brain or even a regular sized one, go and sacrifice a little pocket space and A LOT of money and get your iTouch.
But if your smart and actually want a big screen with twice the resolution and 10X the amount of memory (for the 160GB) then get the Archos. Then you don’t have to spend HOURS on end switching your videos file types.
@B-rizzle
At the time I wrote this post, Amazon.com listed the Archos 605 160GB at $575. I checked today and they’ve lowered the price significantly, so I will edit the post. There really is no need for an attack. Fresh Geeks’ welcomes discussions in the comments section, and if my posts require corrections I welcome my audience to let me know, but please do it in a respectful manner.
I’m also trying to decide between an iTouch and an Archos wifi. I guess I’m wondering if I’ll have to transfer all my music back to musicmatch in order to use the Archos or if it will be ok with the way I have things stored in iTunes.
just being able to play divx native is a pirates dream. archos, I think won me over.
I was had trouble deciding between the two, but then I read about the DVR dock for the Archos! I can download my channel guide via wifi and then go to work and let it do it’s thing. When I get home I can watch all my south park and family guy reruns! I ordered the 160Gb from Amazon, cause I heard that Archos’ tech support isn’t up to par, but that can be understood, really, since they are located in France. I’ll never get Itunes, really. It’s like paying for soil. Yea, you’re garenteed quality, but honestly you can just dig it up somewhere else for free.
@Anjar
Thanks for the insights! The DVR dock is, in my opinion, a one up from the iPod Touch. I also enjoyed your analogy.
i got myself an archos, my friend got ipod touch. Hes going to return his ipod soon for an archos. Screen messed up on him and archos has more features and better screen. Lots more space for a lot less price.
what about wi-fi? Which one is better? Are both offering free wi-fi?
I would have to say I prefer the iPod touch as opposed to the Archos. The archos seems quite bulky and the reason for a PORTABLE music player is all about the size…and lets face it, the iPod touch can’t get any smaller w/out losing its awesome functionality. Plus w/the iPod touch you can ‘jailbreak’ it and add HUNDREDS of third party applications. I don’t see the Archos having a NES emulator anytime soon, play solitaire.
If I were buying right now, I’d go Archos. Great article by the way; it seems everyone in tech blogs wants to be the first one to kiss Apples rear end. Very refreshing to see someone offer at least a fair comparison to a lesser known product. Kudos.
Thanks for the article. Just showed it to a friend. I’m all for Archos. I even got one without the Wifi when every one was chasing after the fruit machine. ;P
Will definitely save up for the new line. 160GB with direct recording is such an adorable feature.
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On paper, the Archos seems like the better choice.
However, I have used both an Archos and an iPod. The iPod’s interface is much better. The iPod hardly ever crashed. The Archos was much less dependant. It would randomly turn off and eventually it wouldn’t charge. Thankfully, it’s still under warranty, so it’s being repaired right now. Once I get it back, I’m going to sell it and get an iPod Touch.
I purchased an Archos 160 wifi back in November and is as happy as can be. Yes, the I-Touch is superb in style but the Archos gives a whole lot more. One main priority was to be able to program my TV shows and watch them on public transit, which is superb ! I practically loaded it with complete seasons of shows and thousands of pictures and songs. For pure portability of your total media, you cannot beat it !
i own a archos 605 wifi and it sucks. the touch screen is not responsive sometimes and the internet is slow. it wont even let me sign onto myspace. i am going 2 get an ipod touch 2 morrow and im giving my dad the archos. DONT WASTE UR MONEY
I never even heard of Archos until I read your blog, Thanks for the info, now I have other options
The 32gig Itouch has smaller lower res lcd, costs at least $200 more, scrambles your file names, forces you to use itunes, doesn’t allow to sort your own files and it forces you to use the touch screen even after you’ve past the phase of “holy s***, it’s got a touch screen”
Seriously guys, don’t be bunch mac fags and you should also look into the Cowon A3.
okay just so you people know you can read PDF files on it so as a neurosurgeon its very helpful if you want to download large emails.
also you can jail break it then its a simple process of adding applications
NOW READ THIS I SUCCESFULLY ADDED A VoIP voice over ip TO MY ARCHOS so i can call people !!! also i ADDED EMULATOR GAMES plus the plugins sold on the online store
now the archos 605 wifi weighs 190 g and the itouch only 70 gs less
also the archos has a 800×480 and the itouch only 480 X 320
all in all havent even batted an i toward the itouch
hi, im really confused now, just dont know which one to go for, ipod is clearly smaller and sexier, but what should i do??? decisions!!! i dont know what to go for. the 32gb is well out now, i saw my brothers 16gb and was well impressed, then i saw the 32gb and thought THATS IT!!! and have been searching the internet ebay etc for the best buy, BUT!!! now ive come across the archos!! oh heck, what should i do
Archos is absolutely the worst company ever to work with. The quality is horrible and customer service is non-existent. Save yourself the aggravation if you have $300 extra burn it. It will likely amuse you longer than your Archos will.