Archos 605 versus Nokia N800

[skfields01]

I am a proud owner of several Archos products. I currently have and love my 605 30GB and 605 80GB. I am curious though how it stacks up against the Nokia N800? Been reading about it online lately and has some functions that seem useful or interesting. Like Skype and the ability to add other programs.

So the question is.... is there someone out there that has both the 605 and the N800 and what are your opinions?

[Yarrenbool]

I am a proud owner of several Archos products. I currently have and love my 605 30GB and 605 80GB. I am curious though how it stacks up against the Nokia N800? Been reading about it online lately and has some functions that seem useful or interesting. Like Skype and the ability to add other programs.

So the question is.... is there someone out there that has both the 605 and the N800 and what are your opinions?

I have both a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and an Archos 605WiFi 160GB.

They're different!

I know, pretty obvious statement.

On the N800 I'm running the original firmware. I luckily held off upgrading the firmware as the new one corrupts SDHC cards. This is a fact that Nokia now acknowledges and are supposed to release a new firmware to correct this on October 2nd.

Because of this I can not currently run Skype, but plan to if the new firmware does not destroy SDHC cards.

The N800 now has a third-party really great free open-source MP3 player, Kaju (or should that be "Kagu"?) which, in many ways I like better than the 605 music player. But my 605 has 45GB of music where as my N800 only has a total of 6GB of SD space in both slots. (I really wish that the 605-160 came with an SDHC slot!). The maximum level of the volume on the 605 if too soft under some circumstances. The N800, also from an EU company, has not blocked the volume level to an unrealistic low level.

The N800 has stereo speakers on the front. No, they're not the same sound as tower speakers with a 14" woofer but I was stunned when I first played music on them. The sound the N800 produces is unbelievably better than the sound that comes from the single 605 speaker!

The N800 has a camera, the 605 doesn't. From the quality of the output of the N800's camera they should have left it out. It's really, really bad!

As for video, both have 800x480 screens, both look very good, but I prefer video playing on the 605 to the N800. And of course the 160 GB on the 605 is of immense importance when it comes to video.

WebBrowsing is the hard one. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages. I can not say yet which I prefer but kind of think I might end up liking to use Opera on the N800 rather than Opera on the 605. However this is a VERY personal preference! I would never argue this point with someone who came to the opposite conclusion.

Scrolling web pages is much much smoother on the 605. 605 does an excellent job of YouTube whereas I don't bother to go to YouTube on the N800. 605 has tabbed browsing, the N800 opens up a new window. Tapping on a link works instantaneously on the N800, but I often have to tap multiple times on the 605. The N800 has a scroll-bar down the right-hand side when a page is taller than the screen, the 605 for some bizarre reason does not.

Believe it or not, but you can't (as far as I know) edit entries in your "Favourites", only rename them. You also can't put then into sub-folders as far as I can work out.

As the N800 is open source you can go to root and edit your Opera.ini control file; no way to do this on the 605!

The 605 does NOT remember log ons, the N800 asks if you want to remember log ons and passwords. The 605 takes longer to get a WiFi connection and does not automatically remember your preferred WiFi connections as the N800 does. The 605 has more problems getting a WiFi connection and sometimes can't at all.

The N800 has some good eBook readers - no eBook readers (apart from a pdf reader) exist for the 605.

I purchased the N800-Navicore GPS receiver and software. Now the N800 with its 4" screen, excellent (for the size) stereo speakers, windshield mount, car-power plug, makes a really great GPS unit!

So, which would I give up? Neither.

My only regret is that as I have the N800 I probably should have bought the 705-160GB instead of the 605-160GB but I did not think that the 705 would be released as soon after the 605 as is apparently the case and I pre-ordered and paid a deposit on the 605 before I heard of release plans for the 705.
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[skfields01]

Thanks for the info and honest answer. I hope to ask a few more questions if that is OK?


1. Can the N800 do streaming video/audio (Stage6 or Joox) content over the web like the 605 can? And off your own Network?

2. Can the N800 play DivX and XviD?

3. How is charging/battery life compared to the 605?

4. A major drawback (for me) is that the 605 can't act as a word processor (as of yet) for inputting data and was hoping that the N800 could be used to take notes and so forth.

5. I've heard the N800 can add other applications and programs... what kinds of apps, where do you go to look for them, is there a good forum (like here) for some info and tips.

6. If you had to choose only one right now... what would it be?

7. And which one would you choose that has a better outlook for the future?

[Yarrenbool]

Thanks for the info and honest answer. I hope to ask a few more questions if that is OK?

As this isn't really a Nokia N800 forum, probably best to move to:

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/

As on this forum, it would be a good idea to use the search options before asking questions.

Many more people who have a lot more expertise than me as to the N800 and Linux (3rd party software) than me.

See you there!
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[skfields01]

Ok. Those were really the only questions I had left though.

[Garage Battle]

Thanks for the info and honest answer. I hope to ask a few more questions if that is OK?


1. Can the N800 do streaming video/audio (Stage6 or Joox) content over the web like the 605 can? And off your own Network?

2. Can the N800 play DivX and XviD?

3. How is charging/battery life compared to the 605?

4. A major drawback (for me) is that the 605 can't act as a word processor (as of yet) for inputting data and was hoping that the N800 could be used to take notes and so forth.

5. I've heard the N800 can add other applications and programs... what kinds of apps, where do you go to look for them, is there a good forum (like here) for some info and tips.

6. If you had to choose only one right now... what would it be?

7. And which one would you choose that has a better outlook for the future?

1. It can with the help of orb, but ive never been able to get it to work. It is awesome at internet radio stations.

2. Yes it can if it is duct taped to a 605.

3. Absolutely blows it away. The N800 works awesome on battery life. It actually lets you know when it has a full charge, and it can last for 3-4 days if its idle. Tap the screen, you're browsing again. Also it never drops the wifi connection at idle.

4. Neither. Wait for an EEE PC from asus if u wanna take you some notes college boy.

5. Sure the N800 can add programs in that make it suck less, and in different ways. It has 3 browser choices right now that equally suck.

6. Neither. Id shoot myself in the head.

7. Neither. I feel like my 605 will brick any day, and the Nokia tablets seem to be replaced once a year or so (new one showed up on FCC last week). Both devices are painful to use. Touchscreen on those devices is not ready for prime time. EEE PC is the only practical one to do what you want to do...which is do more than play just videos and music. Let see if asus cant pull their respective finger out and get this thing to stores before Duke Nuken Forever hits.

[Andy W]

Great objective info in here - Good stuff. I'll move it to competitors section though (and leave a shadow in here.)

[Charbax]

The 605 does NOT remember log ons

Well if the site lets you tick a box to remember log-ons then the 605 WiFi will remember the log-on in a normal cookie. But sure it might be nice with an extra password and auto form filling thing especially when you have to enter all your personal information in standard WiFi hotspot payment pages.

The 605 takes longer to get a WiFi connection and does not automatically remember your preferred WiFi connections

If the 605 WiFi functions as the 604 WiFi, then I think it does remember your WiFi WPA/WEP passwords as well as it automatically connects to the one you previously connected to if it recognises it among several available connections.

[Charbax]

1. Can the N800 do streaming video/audio (Stage6 or Joox) content over the web like the 605 can? And off your own Network?

2. Can the N800 play DivX and XviD?

That's the main thing about N800, it's that it does not do multimedia well. Some people use Orb though on the N800 to transcode video in realtime using a Windows computer and have that one stream to the N800 over the Internet depending on the upload speed and connection quality all the way from the Windows computer at your home which you have to leave turned on all the time, and whatever hotspot you are connecting too.

The N800 does not play video at DVD resolution, has very limited codec support and offers no hard drive storage.

That is cause Nokia chooses to use the Texas Instruments OMAP processor which might be better for having an open applications platform instead of the Texas Instruments DaVinci which is much more powerfull for PMP multimedia features.

If I could give suggestions to Nokia for the N900, it would be for them to make their product much more into a PMP, even with 720p video playback and video recording and they should put HSDPA and WiMax in there, cause it makes no sense to have to use a mobile phone to function as a bluetooth modem to have that.

4. A major drawback (for me) is that the 605 can't act as a word processor (as of yet) for inputting data and was hoping that the N800 could be used to take notes and so forth.

I think it might be possible to have a really good Office applications Widget on the 605 if they somehow add Google Gears then there could be an awesome Google Docs widget which would work offline and synch up to the online Google Docs and Gmail account upon a WiFi connection is detected.

5. I've heard the N800 can add other applications and programs... what kinds of apps, where do you go to look for them, is there a good forum (like here) for some info and tips.

There are lots of applications for the N800, but there isn't any software miracles to provide better multimedia support cause that is a hardware limitation.

[Disaster]

I've got them both too, and here is my experience.

FYI, I do have the latest n800 firmware and an 8Gb card and no card corruption problems.

Web browsing and wifi:

Browsing, with Opera, on the n800 is considerably better than with the Opera that came with the 605wifi. It is more stable and renders complicated website better.

Browsing, with the microB browser on the n800 is an order of magnitude better still. It can handle even more complicated website standards.

Orb works great on the n800 to watch videos from home while on the road.

With UKTube you can easily download and watch Youtube videos smoothly on the n800...though it isn't as one touch as it is on the 605wifi.

Browsing on the 605wifi can be very frustrating. Bookmarking is a pain in the rear. There is only two levels of zoom. Some pages crash the browser. I've never had much luck getting Orb to work. Youtube is a smooth experience though.

The wifi in the n800 is stronger and more stable than it is in the 605wifi. I can pick up signals anywhere in my house. The 605wifi needs to be closer to the signal. Also, when sitting a little while the 605 goes into sleep mode and drops the connection. This can be a real pain when you are trying to wade through shared storage folders and the 605 is working very slooowwwwwwly....and then turns off.

The input keyboard for the 605 not great. Hate where the comma is. Hate having to switch screens to get common web characters. Hate that there is no simple lower the keyboard. The keyboard on the n800 is much nicer with most of the common characters available on the one screen.

Web browsing winner: n800 by a long shot.

Video playing:

The built in video viewer that comes with the n800 is pretty poor. Archos's is fantastic. Of course, the n800 lets you install software so you can go out and get MPlayer, which is a very good video player. It still can not play video at quite as high a compression....tops out around 1200kbps, but it does play DiVX, Xvid, Flash,...and pretty much everything else I've thrown at it. In fact, it will play videos that you need a plug-in for the Archos to play.

TV playing is better on the Archos just because it synchs seamlessly with Windows Media Center. With the n800 I'd need a conversion program. Actually, right now, since they are decoded for the Archos, I can copy them to the n800 and they play...but that is only because WMP is converting them, in the background, for the Archos. Alternatively, if I used a different TV program, like Beyond or Myth, the shows could just be transferred to the n800.

The built in MP3 player is pretty basic for the n800 vs. what you get with the 605wifi. But, again people have written software that really makes a difference. Kagu is pretty cool. With this software I like MP3 on the n800 better. Also, there is audio streaming and Rhapsody which is very cool. If you have a Rhapsody account you can play music from the entire Rhapsody library on the n800...just need a monthly subscription. This beats the heck out of buying individual tracks. Unfortunately, this is just for streaming so you do need a wifi connection.

Like I mentioned earlier, Orb works on the n800...not so much on the 605wifi.

Video playing winner: Archos...for larger file size capability...but n800 isn't terrible.
MP3 playing winner: n800 but Archos is serviceable.

Storage:

The n800 is limited to two SD slots that will be able to handle a maximum of 32Gb each (with the current firmware it is 8Gb each.) This is better than the 605 flash....but doesn't come close to the 160Gb you can get with the larger 605's. Also, as was mentioned, some people are having corruption problems with their current SD cards and n800 firmware (though I haven't.)

Storage winner: Archos

Battery life:

n800 wins pretty handily. It is amazing how long it can run on a charge. Surfing the web and watching video (Youtube downloading) really sucks down the 605's charge.

Battery life winner: n800 by 20-50%

Portability:

n800 is lighter and has onboard stylus storage. The included case for both sucks. Really like the optional case for the n800.

Winner: n800, but not by much andboth are bigger than an Ipod.

Versatility:

The 605 is a great video player, a decent Mp3 player and a fair web browser. The n800 is a little computer.

Here are a short list of some pretty cool programs for the n800

1. MaemoMapper: Turn the n800 into a routing GPS. Just need a $70 bluetooth GPS. It isn't quite as pretty or stable as a standalone GPS from Garmin but the maps are actually more up to date (downloaded realtime or just before your trip and stored on the card) and you can choose aerial views if you want.

2. Skype: It works fantastic. No video capability but I find that not very practical anyway.

3. Rhapsody: Can't say enough about this music service. Stream realtime from the huge Rhapsody music collection. I'll set it up to play 10 hours of music, hook it to the stereo and sit back and enjoy the music.

4. Kagu: Cool MP3 software with kinetic scrolling, like on Ipod.

5. Calculator: HP calculator program works just like the one I had in college.

6. Book reader: Reads all kinds of formats. Download huge library of free books.

7. IM: IM client...also Pidgin is available.

8. RSS feed reader: Read RSS feeds.

9. Note, and sketch applications.

10. Chess, marbles and other time wasting games.

11. Zip file reader

12. Mic recorder

Versatility: n800 by a long shot.

If I just had to carry one it would definitely be the n800. in fact, unless I'm on a trip, I leave the 605 at home and keep the n800 in my pocket. I'd give up a little video storage and playing capability for better battery life, realtime media streaming, better browsing, gps capability and all the other capability of the n800 that is lacking with the 605. However, I don't have to give one up so

[kitzj0]

I have both as well. I am just a bit ticked off at archos at the moment because I was sent a unit that had defective wifi. Their customer service has been absolutely horrible. I feel bad for the tech support people, because they don't make the absurd customer service policies. I was able to finally get them to send me a new unit, but the people you talk with on the phone have no idea what is going on in the warehouse and don't have shipping info until at least 72 hours after a unit is shipped. All they can tell me is to have faith that my replacement unit was shipped 24-48 hours after they set it up for replacement. Even 5 days later, they have no idea what is the status of the shipment.

Anyway, I like both. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. One thing not mentioned so far is that the N800 also has bluetooth, which means I can connect with my Palm 700P for internet connection when I am not in wifi range. I have had absolutely no problems connecting the N800 to any wifi network I have tried.

As mentioned, the N800 you can install programs and they are all free. Most programs have been ported from Linux.

The N800 isn't as good at video. For instance you cannot play MP4 files, but you can with Archos with the plugin on the 605. You can't play .wmv files with the N800, but it has been hinted that support for .wmv files is coming shortly.

Also, the N800 does not play DRM files (it does play music from Rhapsody if you have that service, but not Rhapsody to go so you have to have a wifi connection), but archos does and works well with my Yahoo Unlimited to go subscription.

The N800 has a port of Xournal which I like. With Xournal, you can write notes in freehand like you would on a legal pad and save these files as a .pdf.

Also, the N800 works well with email also. I use Claws mail (another free port) which has worked well for my purposes.

Also with the battery dock, travel DVR station, DVR station, you have the possibilty of USB host which can be useful.

Both devices have their strengths and weaknesses, would be nice to have one device that does it all. Wishful thinking I guess.

[skfields01]

Wow guys. Thanks to all for your informative insights on the two units. This brings me to ask a few more questions about the N800.

Don't get me wrong. I love my two 605's and won't give them up. I was just looking to maybe expand my collection a little further and was looking for a device (not UMPC) that was able to act a bit more like a PMP with PDAish features. Maybe when Widgets is released for the 605... it open up a few doors on some features I am looking for.


1. How are Flash based websites? The 605 does it well, how about the N800?

2. Streaming movies on the 605 over the internet is GREAT and a must for me now that I am spoiled. How is it really with the N800?

3. How is PDF viewing on the N800? The 605 is way too slow to be effective and I am now converting everything to Jpeg... as it renders much quicker.

4. Where can I go to check out all these cool apps that I would be able to use for the N800? No one has mentioned a site yet and this is gettng me worried since I would be new to it.

5. Is there a good forum to view info on Q&A's for the N800?

[kitzj0]

Try these:

www.internettablettalk.com

and

www.maemo.org

[Charbax]

Battery life:

n800 wins pretty handily.

Well you'd have to compare the N800 with the 605 WiFi when doing the same tasks. Since the N800 does not play any decent resolution and bitrate videos, then I guess it's not really possible to compare battery life.

If you have tested the N800's battery life playing it's maximum supported video bitrate and resolution with a specific volume, then is that number more then Archos at full bitrate, full resolution and same decibel number of specific volume?

[skfields01]

Is there a good tutorial on how to load programs into the tablet?

[Garage Battle]

1. How are Flash based websites? The 605 does it well, how about the N800?

2. Streaming movies on the 605 over the internet is GREAT and a must for me now that I am spoiled. How is it really with the N800?

3. How is PDF viewing on the N800? The 605 is way too slow to be effective and I am now converting everything to Jpeg... as it renders much quicker.

4. Where can I go to check out all these cool apps that I would be able to use for the N800? No one has mentioned a site yet and this is gettng me worried since I would be new to it.

5. Is there a good forum to view info on Q&A's for the N800?

1. Both units have a heart attack on heavy flash based sites.

2. Internet radio is awesome on N800. Streaming anything else sucks compared to the n800.

3. Slow and clunky on pdf pages. Not snappy.

4. There arent really too many cool apps. I think maemo mapper is a joke, there are other browsers that arent too hard to install.

Id say wait till the new one comes out (n800), and keep watching for an eee pc to come out.

[skfields01]

The Asus Eee PC does look very interesting and I have been keeping an eye on it, but it is much larger than the N800 and 605:

[Charbax]

Asus EEE is just a normal $400 laptop, there's nothing really special about Eee. That Asus say it'll cost $199, I say people should wait and see it will ever ship in large quantities at that price, I don't think it will. It's just been a marketing stunt by Asus and Intel to counter the OLPC XO release. I wrote about Eee being bullshit several places including here http://olpcnews.com/sales_talk/competit ... s_eee.html

[skfields01]

Well, I already have few of the 605's. Now the question becomes... do I pick up an Nokia N800 for the few added abilities that I was looking for (Notes/Word Processing and VoIP) or do I wait and see what Nokia is going to release for the Christmas season.

Any opinions?

[Charbax]

I think Nokia has a N900 cooking up in its lab. If it performs better with video, records it, performs better as a PMP and integrates http://xohm.com , other mobile WiMax and HSDPA, then I'd say it could be a great product. I think that probably Nokia would like to show it at CES in the beginning of January. But I don't think one can really count on Nokia being interested in improving video support too much, nor add HSDPA, that is cause Nokia has to satisfy all the large telecom operators with every new product that they launch. DivX streaming over HSDPA would piss off quite a bunch of telecom operators, cause they hate bandwidth intensive applications on their very limited networks.

They have announced adding Xohm WiMax in the USA, though that might only be a N800 with WiMax, and thus maybe the Sprint version of the N800 might not be with much else. Sprint is asking for some action and might have a network that can support more bandwidth intesive multimedia applications so I think it would be more interesting with a N900 with more power. Nokia certainly has the R&D people that could do it.