Next Generation Archos 604
 

Gets wi-fi, Opera browser, somewhat higher resolution touchscreen and virtual keyboard. It's more of a PMP and might not match some of the features of the 770, but this is getting close to what I want. One big advantage over the 770 is that it can wirelessly connect to my Windows PC files. Anyone have additional info?

http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/09/02/ar...p_to_get_wifi/

Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/) has "done" the Archoses several times over.

I still prefer their all-out Linux PDA variant, the PMA430, although it didn't get overly good reviews ("Glacially slow" was an often read remark).

The screen resolution still kills it for me as a 770 competitor. Nothing still comes close to the 770's resolution. I wonder if there's a reason for that, other than cost.

Video bus throughput? I wonder how much work the 770's DSP really does.

that, and the zoom/full view keys. every competitor will compare unfavorably when you look at screen resolution. It is a matter of supply which translates into cost. Most companies simply can't get a source for small 800 pixel screens. Still this device is the closest to the 770 in terms of it being a web tablet. I think the Mylo will compete more against the sidekicks, etc.

[/LURK]
I had seriously considered the Archos 604 WiFi in comparison to the Nokia 770. I placed my '770 order yesterday - the Open Source/Hackability of the Nokia won it out for me ;) . While movies are nice, the customization promise is what won it for me.
[LURK]

Has anyone compared Archos 604 Wifi with Nokia 770?
 

I'm wondering whether anyone here has actually compared them both (actual usage)? I had boiled it down to Nokia 770, Archos 604 Wifi, and PP3. Yesterday, I finally bought the Archos 604 Wifi and after playing with it for a full day, I ultimately decided to return it. The web surfing experience was just too sluggish and impractical. I know that the Nokia 770 has a 800 x 480 versus 480x272 pixels for the Archos 604. I saw a video at CarryPad of the PP3 and it seemed to load up the web pages pretty quickly. Is the Nokia 770 comparable in speed to PP3 or more like the Archos 604 Wifi? Does anyone here know?

Most of y'all seem pretty happy with your Nokia 770 and I'm now leaning in this direction (actually, I'm waiting for the Nokia 870/880 to come out).

Thanks!
Manny

You should really try to get your hands on someone's 770 and test it, because these other devices are very poor indicators of what it is really like.
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In what way? I do this routinely using bluetooth with no additional software. Just had to tell the bluetooth software on my PC what directories to share. Open up File Manger on my 770 and my windows PC appeared as another file location.

For faster transfer on my PC, I also install Golden FTP server http://www.goldenftpserver.com/download.html and then FTP from an xterm window on my 770.

The nice thing about the 770 is the fact is uses an open source OS (Linux) so all kinds of apps are appearing for it almost daily. I believe that samba client is available for the 770 which allows yet another way to mount MS windows drives.

The 770 runs Opera vs a customized FireFox on the Pepper Pad 3. I can't detect any significant difference in rendering speed, but the 770 often drops WiFi to save power and reconnecting can take a second or two (I usually leave the PP3 on mains power, and so it stays connected). A "standard" i386 Linux FireFox (PP3) is probably compatible with more sites than 770's Opera, but the 770 works at all the sites I have tried. The two devices have about the same screen resolution but the PP3 device and screen are much bigger. If you have good eyesight and can read the 770's screen at default resolution then the two are very comparable for web browsing (and the 770's small size is a big plus). I find I have to magnify to 150% on the 770, but the PP3 is easily readable at standard resolution. This makes a difference because many pages render poorly on 800 pixels at 150%, but display well at 100%.

The PP3's keypad is faster than an on-screen keyboard (and doesn't cover up the screen), but an on-screen keyboard is "good enough" for limited use and the keypad makes the PP3 very wide.

Overall, at home I use the PP3 for web browsing and the 770 for e-book reading. So far I have always taken the 770 on trips, but I may switch to the PP3 because it works better with the (not very flexible) web-based interface to my work e-mail. Both require WiFi (although USB Ethernet adapters work on the PP3), and both need a charger for long trips. The PP3 has bluetooth, but it currently only supports keyboards and mice. I have not seen any reports of PP3 internet connections via a bluetooth phone. Its two powered USB ports are a plus.

Both are well made, but the Nokia design is more polished. The 770 is probably better value for the money, although you immediately need to add a larger memory card.

Thanks for your contribution wallcraf. It was very insightful and helpful. I'll just have to wait until the Nokia 780/880 comes out and make my final decision.