Archos Gmini XS 202 20 GB

Advantages: Small, cheap, robust, 20GB!
Disadvantages: Average sound quality

...research, I can see that Archos are slowly rising in the mp3 player market. They've released a wide range of products from flash memory to large hard drive mp3 players; and colour screens with video capability (but you won't get that with the Gmini XS 202). But back to the Gmini XS 202. Sound quality isn't great. And to be perfectly honest, I believe its the one area where it does let you down. There is a noticeable difference in sound quality between ...
...Windows® 98SE (driver available on ARCHOS web site), ME, 2000 or XP - Mac OS v.10.2.4 - computer with USB 2.0 interface (compatible USB 1.1 at a lower speed). For protected WMA (PlaysForSure™ downloaded) files: Windows® 98SE (driver available on ARCHOS web site), ME, 2000 or XP with Windows Media® Player 9 or 10. Package Includes: Gmini XS 202, USB 2.0 cable, AC power charger adaptor, headphones, quickstart guide (in-depth manual on Gmini XS 200 ... Read review

Advantages: Fits into almost any pocket you might have!
Disadvantages: Supplied headphones can be uncomfortable.

...the device for you. The Archos Gmini 202 XC MP3 (what a tongue twister!) is very small considering its memory, in fact, I have read that it is the smallest 20Gb MP3 on the market. The case consists of three metal layers: two plates (front and back) and a metal strip which runs round the edge of the device between the plates. The screen is about 3x3cm which I think is a decent size but it cannot display pictures, videos, data files stored, etc. because ...
...in the side of the MP3 player and are small enough to not cause any problems (although my key almost got stuck once). The ear/head phone port is on the top, possibly to accommodate for any MP3 cases you may wish to use to protect your player. However, because of its metal construction, I see no reason for a case to be used, the screen is the only particularly vulnerable part and that, as I've mentioned, is quite small anyway. The company has managed ... Read review

Advantages: Size and cost 20gb for £150
Disadvantages: Slow scrolling

The XS202 immediately struck me as a good deal, 20gb for the price of an ipod mini?! When I got it I was not dissappointed, it looks amazing (that's real metal) and comes with all you need to get started! The player does not use any software, just drag and drop (or if you want media player's syncronising feature) which makes it very easy to update and very versatile. I would suggest getting a program like "Tag & Rename" to ensure that all your music ...
...is awesome, i can;t fault it, it doesn't skip, which is something HDD mp3s can do and very rarely freezes up, something not even ipod can match. The headphones supplied are also quite good, however i would suggest switching if you really appreciate your music. The xs202 is built like a rock ive dropped it from head height (and im 6ft2) and it survived with only minimal denting!! no cracks to the screen and no deminished performance! I also cycle ... Read review

Advantages: Spacious, good battery life, robust
Disadvantages: Doesn't play videos, simple screen

The Archos Gmini is not an mp3 player like the Apple iPod - it doesn't benefit particularly from its image, as it is something of an ugly little brute! That said, it is actually very small and surprisingly capacious, transfers to and from the player are fast, and unlike the iPod, the player uses the standard mp3 formats and no special software. The player does have one major shortcoming - it does not play videos, and the screen is basic but a good ...
...the charge time is excellent. Also, the stock headphones are a tad poor, but for the money they are acceptable. The Gmini is an mp3 player that does exactly what is asked of it - it plays music files to a high quality and is surprisingly easy to use. For this, it comes highly recommended. ... Read review

Advantages: LOADS of memory!!!!!
Disadvantages: Sometimes doesn't react to the pressing of buttons

I bought my Archos XS 202 about this time last year. I searched and searched for the best prices, finally buying it from Pixmania for about £180. I wanted to boy an i-Pod, but because my computer is ME I can't have one. This MP3 seemed like the next best thing - it had 20GB of memory and it said I could make playlists and store thousands of tracks on this small, durable player. I thought it was a bargain, because although it was a lot of money, compared ...
...for that amount of money. As soon as it arrived I should have realised that in fact, it wasn't worth the money. There were no instructions, and although it said it was compatible with ME the instructions on the outside of the box told me otherwise. Using my limited knowledge of computers, I had to work out how to transfer tracks on to it, and have never actually worked out how to delete/transfer/make folders on it, without having to plug it into ... Read review

Advantages: easy to use, quick to find music on, durable
Disadvantages: no neck starp

...I bought this MP3 player after alot of searching and i have so far been completelysatisfied with my decision. Over the past 3 years i have had 4 mp3 players all of which were purchased because they were the biggest memory i could afford at the time! this was a mistake as i ended up spending an absolute fortune when i would run out of space and buy a new one...or get sooo frustrated by the slowness of the hardware that my sanity would not allow me to keep it any longer! The archos Gmini has more than enough storage for music and also any documents etc u might want to store. It is incredibly easy to use, so much so that i never had any need to look at the instructions! music is sorted into folders by artist and album so any song is easy to find at any time! The battery lasts really well on it and even when it goes down to 1 or 2 bars... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Large amount of memory, comparitively cheap
Disadvantages: Sound Quality could be better

...Archos mp3 players are what swayed me from the iPod, primarily because of cost versus memory, i was one of those people who was taken in by the iPod Nano upon its release, only to wish i had paid for an archos instead, as for roughly the same price, cheaper if you know where to look, you get upto 10 times the memory. Admittedly the interface isnt quite as sexy as the iPod's but it does the job and is easy to use, the sound quality is very good but not quite as crisp as you would hope from such a highly regarded brand. If you're serious about your music and dont really have the time to mess around with updating your mp3 player everyday then the archos is highly recommended. Another important point is that the battery life is sufficient to keep the player on ALL day without it going dead, a huge factor for those of us who cant live without... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Many easy to use options, small with large capacity, memory stick tendencies.
Disadvantages: Monochrome screen, possible weak screen, rubbishy headphones come with it.

...the joystick) and I am yet to decided if this an advantage or not. My favourite thing about this player is that it acts like a memory stick. Music (and other files) can be transferred across from computer to player and back again, unlike some other mp3 players. This uses a drag-and-drop method. I also like how the names and positions of songs can be adjusted on the player itself by going to the 'Browser' option. However, I have found the screen to be quite weak and sensitive. I am on my second Archos Gmini XS 202s because the screen bled on my first one, and I do not know why. Possibly to do with excessive pressure or heat. Nevertheless, my second one has been fine. I also occasionally find the bright blue 'On' light really irritating! But this can be solved with a well-placed thumb. My only other complaint is that the joystick is the only way... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful