When it comes to portable media devices these days there is one real undisputed leader in when it comes to market share and unit sales, and that is the Apple iPod. That being said though, doesn't mean that it is the only iPod on the market that's good. There are many diverse brands of MP3 players on the market which are quite equivalent to the Apple in not only the features they provide but also the cost. For example, the latest Gen 5 line up of Archos MP3 players gets my vote as the finest device for the money. Not too long ago I picked up the 80 GB 605 WiFi model and I am so impressed with it that I am not the least bit depressed that I got rid of my iPod.

Archos MP3 players are separated from the rest of the pack by many characteristics. It of course plays music love all the rest of them, and with the 80 gigs of storage that I have, I've been able to put every song that I have onto the 605 WiFi with tons of room left over. Many digital file types are supported, including .mp3, .wav, and .wma (protected or not). It is a really nice feature because it means that I don't have to wait around for conversion software in order to download my songs. Features love this make it a much more versatile and convenient player than many other brands.

But the Gen 5 line up goes well beyond just playing music. Archos MP3 players have a superb 4.3-inch full-color touchscreen that can be activated with the touch of a finger or the included stylus, making navigation through the various menus a simple task. The large screen is also perfect for watching movies, TV shows, or streaming YouTube videos. The picture is amazingly sharp and shows up plainly in lots of assorted lighting situations. I've seen people trying to watch stuff on their tiny iPod screens, and I just have to shake my head in sympathy. There's no reason to put yourself through something like that, buying something for its name only, when you have the better Archos MP3 player within your fingertips.

One of the really cool features that I enjoy about the Archos MP3 players the fact that I don't have to be connected to a computer to deal with my contents. Because of the wifi connection, I'm able to download songs, movies, and other videos on the go. In addition, the included Opera web browser makes it simple for me to surf the Internet, check my email, and play games wherever I am — something that's not possible with most other devices out there. With those other brands, you're basically stuck with whatever contents is on the player already, and can't perform an update until the next time you're sitting in front of your PC.

If you're earnestly considering the purchase of a portable media player, stand out from the clique and make the investment into something that's a bunch better than the name brand iPod. Instead, I recommend giving Gen 5 Archos MP3 players a try. They are a lot more sophisticated scientifically and they have superior prices than all of the opposition. Receiving more for less… isn't that what intelligent shopping is all about?

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Olan Butler – Technology Specialist – Computer Services