Archos GMini XS100 Description and Review

Archos have entered the lucrative Mini MP3 player market with the Gmini XS 100 (Xtra Small?)

Unusually they have Low Balled their entry with a player of only 3GB mini-HD capacity.

Maths

Storage of 3GB translates to approx. 1,000 x 3 minute MP3 compressed at 128Kbps - or 1,500 x 3 minute WMA files encoded at 96Kbps NOT 64 Kbps as claimed in all the Archos marketing material and on the other sites too lazy to check the figures as supplied by the manufacturer. Still, at least this is a mathematical slip, and not a lie about the player's true capacity, which is something most other manufacturers seem to 'inadvertently' do with every single product launched.

The music file types supported include the VBR MP3s and DRM WMAs, like almost all modern players.

3GB - is it enough? Why 3 GB? Simple answer: Competition.

If 2 players have exactly the same capacity and approximately the same features then they will be competing directly with each other. If you skew things so that you're not "comparing Apples with Apples" then the 2 players can, to some degree, carve out their own niche in the market. There will still be some overlap, of course, but it allows players to not have to compete directly for every single sale.

At the time of writing (July 05) the nearest players below (Rio Nitrus/ MuVo sq. 1.5 GB) are nearing their EOL (End of Line - i.e. production has stopped/ is going to stop soon). This will leave the 3GB Archos either competing with 1.5GB models -double the capacity for about the same price, or in a clear slot with no real competitor when the 1.5GB models are withdrawn. The next models up are a whole 10% more expensive. Small potatoes really, but psychologically important.

Enough! What about the Gmini Xs 100 itself?

It's cool, small and light and skinny. Exactly how cool it is is difficult to measure empirically as personal opinion plays a big role, but the other metrics are impressive.

Weight: 80g - lighter than the 1.5GB models mentioned above and 20g lighter than the iPod mini and the Creative Zen Micro.

It's narrower (width) and slimmer (depth) than the Zen Micro, although it is longer.

The Gmini XS100 is also narrower (by 10 mm) and slightly fatter (1 millimetre) than the iPod Mini, but it's the same exact length. What a coincidence!

The Zen Micro looks stocky beside the Gmini Xs, but it still looks like the anorexic sister of the iPod mini. I.e. it's like a Skinni-Mini!

Unlike the other 2 mini/ micro player ranges, the colour choices for the Archos feature very florid adjectives. "Techno" Blue; not charcoal, non! Volcanic Black; Funky Pink. All good clean fun.

Features:

We have thus-far skirted the real issue of features and usage. Absent is the life-giving Radio that all small capacity players should come with. Of the 3 manufacturers only Creative have been wise to that tap-in on the Zen Micro.

The main types of DRM files that the Archos can play are: MP3s WMA and they can also play Wav files.

Like all good Archos units the Gmini XS100 can be used directly as an external HD. Just plug the USB cable into any machine and you don't have to load any drivers (for most modern O/S, e.g. post win2000, see the tech specs for more) or software before your PC recognises the Jukebox as something that you can copy files too or from. This is a feature that all MP3 players should, but do not have.

Like most Archos units the Gmini xs100s use the simple ARCLibrary which allows you to do all the modern MP3 player sorting of music by artist, genre, playlist, etc using ID3 tags. You can also make playlists on the fly, delete and rename music at your whim using the virtual keyboard. Another feature that all MP3 players should, but do not have.

As with all new Archos units since 2002, the interface is a nice GUI (i.e. graphics rather than text based). This means that learning to use the thing is simple. Also an Archos standard for years is the ability to connect to external sources, such as Hi-Fis so that you can use their speaker/ amp systems to play your music, although in the case of the Gmini Xs the cables to do so have to be purchased separately.

Archos Gmini XS 100 Info

3 GB mini hard disk storage Colour screen

Auto sync feature included to allow you to update the contents of the Gmini Xs 100 automatically.

Battery news

The battery is internal (locked-in, tut-tut!) and rechargeable. A full charge should last over 12 hours.

The Xs 100 is designed to be frequently connected to your computer (as you will want to persistently change the MP3 tracks on the unit) and as such it is rechargeable via the USB cable. However, unlike most other players the GminiXs do not come with an external adapter, so you have to order one separately if you plan on travelling away from your computer for any length of time.

All in all an accomplished player and it is available in the following flavours: