Archos 7 320GB Internet Media Tablet

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About a month or so ago I looked at the Archos 5 and DVR station, a couple weeks ago Archos emailed me and asked if I wanted to take a look at their Archos 7 as well, so I said sure, why not!

Today for review I’ve got the Archos 7 320gb Internet Media Tablet, the 7 in the title meaning a 7 inch screen. It’s essentially the same as the Archos 5, but only a larger screen and hard drive capacity, I saw no real differences between the two at all except for those two things. Going from the 5 inch screen to the 7 inch screen might not seem like much, but it really is, it makes everything look so much nicer and even makes the Archos Internet Media Tablet a bit easier to use as well.

So read on to learn more about the Archos 7 Specifications:

Archos 7 320gb Internet Media Tablet

The ARCHOS 7, with is stunning 7” screen, is the best travel companion you can imagine. With a huge disk capacity and an incredible viewing comfort, combined with Internet and TV capacity in a handheld device, it will accompany your travels and holidays and replace any other multimedia player you were using so far.

ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players now introduces a new concept: the Internet Media Tablet. The ARCHOS 7 is the jewel of this new range, redefining media on the move and offering customer uncompromised access to the Internet, Media content and TV…in a handheld device..

Specs:
Display characteristics: High resolution screen, 800×480 pixels, 7” TFT LCD, 16 million colors
User interaction: Direct by touch screen, ON/OFF, vol+ and vol- buttons, retractable virtual keyboard

Processor(s):
- Main processor: ARM CortexTM-A8, 32 bit, In-order, dual-issue, superscalar core @ 600 MHz
- Additional processor: 32 bit DSP @ 430 MHz
RAM memory: 128 MB* (Low-Power Double Data Rate SDRAM)

Mass storage memory: Hard drive
- 320 GB (stores up to 400 Movies, 3.2 million photos or 190,000 songs1)
Operating system: Linux
In its normal use mode, the ARCHOS 5 being a miniaturized Personal Computer:
Connectivity: On board WiFi (802.11 b/g), USB 2.0 host with optional accessories
PC accessories: Possible attachment of numerous standard USB PC accessories (keyboard, mouse, memory key, memory cards reader, camera and other future computer accessories)

Battery life: Music playback time: 39 hours
Video playback time: 10 hours
Dimensions & weight:Approx. 190 x 110 x 16 mm ; 7.48" x 4.33" x 0.629"
Approx. 640 gr.; 23oz
Price: $449.99

That’s the basic specs, you can find full detailed specifications on the Archos website HERE

Click on the Thumbnails for a Larger View.


Conclusion:
The Archos 7 has a big beautiful screen to watch movies,play games, browse the web and generally do the basic things you can do on your PC, it’s large capacity hard drive makes it very easy to take lots of stuff with you.

The price is a bit steep, especially considering you’ve got to spend more money for the ad-ons to really get all of the functionality of the Archos 7.

Pros:
Well made
Nice large screen
Videos look great
Lots of storage space
Easy to use for basic stuff

Cons:
Resets by itself at times
Some webpages don’t work correctly (plugins?)
Expensive
Need to purchase additional things to fully make use of it

Grades:
Overall______
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Design______
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Performance_
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by: Kristofer Brozio
Reviews and tests from the best sources Testfreaks collects it all.
 
I'm saving my pennies for one of these. Have been since they first broke cover, saving tips.. ;)
 
Here is a nice Operational View of the Archos 7 in action.

 
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So I made up my mind finally, I am the new owner of an Archos 7 !!!

archos7_ambiance.jpg

After much research, I mean alot of it,
I have finally pulled the trigger on an Archos 7, from NewEgg, Purchased for $339.99.

Archos 7 for sale 339.99 @ NewEgg

I have read all the pros and cons to this device, but the 320 Gig Hard Drive for storage, The display it has, the idea it is possible to hack the unit, to maybe android or another OS one day is interesting too, but not right away. I want it as an Entertainment device mainly, the Web Access via WiFi or maybe even tether it off my DROID also look nice too.

So in the Near Future, I will post more on my New Archos 7, hopefully all good too :p

Untill Then :cool:
 
The Archos 7 And What I bought to Go Along with it.

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These are the Specs on the Archos 7
==========================================================
Tech Specs

  • Display characteristics: High resolution screen, 800x480 pixels, 7'' TFT LCD, 16 million colors
  • User interface: Touch screen, ON/OFF, vol+ and vol- buttons, retractable virtual keyboard
  • Processor(s): Central Unit: - Main processor: ARM CortexTM-A8, 32 bit, In-order, dual-issue, superscalar core @ 600 MHz - Additional processor: 32 bit DSP @ 430 MHz
  • RAM memory: 128 MB* (Low-Power Double Data Rate SDRAM)
  • Mass storage memory: Hard drive, capacity according to the product version - 160 GB* (stores up to 200 Movies, 1.6 million photos or 95,000 songs1) - 320 GB* (stores up to 400 Movies, 3.2 million photos or 190,000 songs1)
  • Operating system: Linux
  • In its normal use mode, the ARCHOS 7 being a miniaturized Personal Computer:
  • Connectivity: On board WiFi (802.11 b/g), USB 2.0 host with optional accessories
  • PC accessories: Possible attachment of numerous standard USB PC accessories**** (keyboard, mouse, memory key, memory cards reader, camera and other future computer accessories)
  • Video playback**: MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution) WMV (MP@ML, up to DVD resolution) including WMV protected files M-JPEG (Motion JPEG Video) in QVGA resolution With optional plug-in (downloadable from your tablet on www.archos.com): HD support: MPEG-4 (ASP 720p) & WMV HD (MP 720p) H.264 up to DVD resolution with AAC MPEG-2 MP@ML up to 10 Mbps (up to DVD resolution) and AC3 stereo sound (5.1)
  • Audio playback**: Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 Kbits/s CBR & VBR, WMA, Protected WMA, WMA pro 5.1, WAV (PCM/ADPCM). AC3 stereo audio and 5.1 sound files (via SPDIF output of DVR Station) Flac and OGG Vorbis audio files With optional software plug-ins (downloadable from your tablet on www.archos.com): AAC3, AAC+ stereo audio files
  • Photo viewer***: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
  • PDF viewer: Reads PDF documents (may not implement all PDF features)
  • Video recording6: Via the optional DVR Station/ DVR Snap-on: Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI format with ADPCM stereo sound, VGA resolution (640 x 480) @ 30 or 25 f/s
  • Audio recording: Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on: Stereo line-in, WAV (IMA ADPCM or PCM) format Voice recording via the optional FM remote and its built-in microphone in WAV format (IMA ADPCM)
  • Email client Compatible with Email accounts supporting POP3 and IMAP services Import/export of vCard contacts
  • Interfaces: USB 2.0 High-Speed Device (compatible USB 1.1 at a lower speed): Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Media Transport Protocol (MTP) USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) with optional Mini Dock, Battery Dock and DVR station
  • Connections: WiFi (802.11b/g) connection. Free Web Browser (Opera® Web browser and Adobe Flash™ Player) upon registration 3.5 mm mini jack for headphones and audio output DC-in for power adapter Docking connectors to connect DVR Station and other ARCHOS accessories
  • Miscellaneous 2 Built-in speaker Built-in leg stand
  • Battery life: Music playback time: 39 hours4 Video playback time: 10 hours4
  • Power source: Internal: Removable lithium Polymer battery Power adapter /charger ARCHOS
  • Scalability: Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated Updates can also be downloaded at ARCHOS
  • Dimensions & weight: Approx. 190 x 110 x 16 mm ; 7.48" x 4.33" x 0.629" Approx. 640 gr.; 23oz
  • In a possible use mode, in connection with an external computer through the USB B connector available on some optional accessories: Minimum system requirements: Microsoft® Windows® Vista, XP, ME, 2000 or higher MAC OS X and Linux (with Mass Storage Device Support) USB 2.0 interface
  • Package includes: ARCHOS 7, headphones, ARCHOS USB cable, DVR Station adapter, power adapter/charger, screen cleaning cloth, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice.

=============================================================

So I Bought the Archos 7 @ NewEgg, Now I thought I needed some accessories to go along with it.So I bought this for Protection, since I travel alot.

jimmariner-albums-jims-pics-picture7-archos7-case-open.jpg

Then I thought, I want to use this as it was intended to, but I needed the DVR Station too
So I Ordered this from Amazon
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So I am well on my way to being a full fledged Archos 7 owner. I will report back in a week or so on my findings on this great looking device. If it works half as good as the publicity written up on it, It will suit my needs perfectly.
 
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So My Progress to date is, I have the Archos 7 on Dual Boot, I have all the plugins installed. All thanks to the people over at ArchosFans. They have a very dedicated forum of all things Archos.

The Archos 7 does have some minor problems. But as a Media Tablet, it does exactly what it is suppose to do !!! I don't regret buying it one bit, so far :p

I am looking forward to future developments on the OS for these fantastic little devices. :cool:
 
JimMariner, you run into any particular movie formats that just wont play? What about .MKV files?
 
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