The tiniest 20 Gig player yet!

After having my Archos 20 Gig Jukebox stolen, I was in desperate need to replace it with a new mp3 player. I absolutely loved the Archos Jukebox - the size was ideal (although thicker than the iPod), using the controls were easy and using it as a hard drive for both the Mac and PC was a definite plus. So I went on the Archos site to see the new generation mp3 player and spotted the Gmini. Got it on Monday (5/24) and here's my review on it.

I've heard a lot of negative comments on the Archos Gmini - weak battery, the thing not operating and customer service being terrible. So far, I haven't had any problems with it yet. It has a very easy and readable menu and I can easily toggle to folders and open what I need to open. The options of lookign at pictures and the cardreader are wonderful add ons, but I dont' have an interst in that - I will say the picture viewer works but since the screen is in black and white, I won't have much use for it. The Gmini, like it's predecessor, is also an alternative hard drive. Fully plug and playable - I didn't need to add any drivers to the PC at my job or the Mac at home to get it to work. You have to be careful not to just unplug the USB cable for the PC.. you have to tell the computer to disconnect the Gmini and then you can properly unplug (of course with the Mac, you just drag the hard drive icon to the trash.. nuff said. I love macs)

I have two problems with the Gmini, both are minor. First, the USB cable that connects to the computer/Gmini is a specialized one, and if it ever gets lost, you are SOL. This is different from the predecessor, the Jukebox, which used a male/male USB cord which can be bought at Radio Shack or other computer stores. So I'll be buying a second cable to have a backup in the event I lose this one. The charger is also specially made, instead of the standard AC plug you could use for the Jukebox (and also used in standard electrical equipment like a calculator or a clock). Once again, if you lose this plug, you're done. Second thing is the battery - instead of rechargable AA batteries the Jukebox used (which you could replace with other batteries at any time), the Gmini followed suit wiht the iPod and has internal batteries which can be replaced only by the manufacturer (I've seen online where you can get a small screwdriver to replace the battery, but you void the warranty if you do). So that's an inconvenience. I would have preferred a larger machine if I could have control over switching batteries.

With all that said, the battery life is satisfactory for me. So far, it's lasted three hours without needing to be charged. It's advertised it can last ten hours. Don't know if that's true, but I think it can hold its own. The small size is amazing and the sound is incredible! Very clear, sharp - perfect for me. And it's a 2nd hard drive. 20 gigs and it's about $100 cheaper than the 20 gig iPod. I highly recommend the Gmini.