BBC compares four PMPs with WiFi and video
I know that a UMPC will cost two to three times more than the tested portable media players, but I would have loved to see how the BBC thinks one stacks up. Oh well, probably not a fair comparison against the Sony PSP, Archos 605wifi, Nokia N800 and iPod Touch. Those are the four PMPs that get a brief but solid overview in the areas of design, audio, video, and web browsing. If you’re in the market for a PMP with wireless and web browsing capabilities but want to keep the price under a few hundred dollars, each of these is a worth contender. I wouldn’t exactly call the N800 a PMP, but it is quite capable for audio and video on that nice screen.
One approach I take when considering a device is listing out what my planned activities are for it. Additionally, I try to figure out what percentage of time I’d be using the functions, i.e.: 60% browsing, 30% video, 10% audio as a quick example. That tells me that a device with seamless WiFi connections and a good screen would be worth more than external speakers. You get the idea: nail down your requirements and then evaluate the options based on those.
According to the BBC, “The Archos has the highest resolution and the best DPI”. In fact, the Archos has the same resolution (800 × 400) as the N800 and, at 4.3″, just a marginally bigger screen.
What I really want is a device with the Nokia’s screen size and resolution, its Bluetooth connectivity and its openness to installing new applications, combined with the iPod’s multitouch interface. (Actually, that’s not true. What I REALLY want is a Palm Foleo, but I’ll settle for an “i800 touch”.)