N900 or Archos7 + basic phone?

[Chapbass]

Alrgiht, I know this is a matter of preference, but I've been debating this for a few days now and can't make up my mind.

Current phone: an old HTC (verizon) xv6800 with a Windows Mobile 6.5 rom loaded.

At my current job there is quite a bit of down time, so having a portable device that can play media would be a great benefit. I've been eyeing the N900 for quite some time, and have been really excited about it.

My only thought over the past couple days is: is the 3.5" screen going to be too small for my needs? Looking at dedicated PMP's, the Archos 5 and 7 came to my attention. The screens look great, and if I got a hard drive based 160 or 320gb I would have a ton more room (n900 has a max of 48gb with a 16gb card + 32gb internal).

So basically, advantages to the N900:

More portable (pocketable vs definitely not, one device not 2))

Constant online connection (for IM, email, etc)

Lots of apps like emulators, etc (okay, not a ton compared to android/iphone, but more than archos, and more coming)

Backup connection for the net (as of the last few days my work connection has been TERRIBLE...downloads of 10kb/s...)

Advantages to the 7:

Larger screen

More storage

Cheaper at least up front

HD output with some addons

Could potentially be even smaller than n900 when I dont need media, just a phone

Cheaper monthly cost for no data plan through carrier

I wouldn't have to switch to Tmo from Verizon



Any thoughts?

 

[erwos]

N900. Archos basically stops support for their devices every year.

 

[Chapbass]

N900. Archos basically stops support for their devices every year.

Yeah, I thought about that. Still not sure how I feel about it...obviously annoyed, but debating on how much itll affect my decision.

Thanks for the opinion though, erwos

 

[Spoooon]

N900. Archos basically stops support for their devices every year.

This. Not really vouching for the N900 as I have no experience with it.

I have an older Archos with wifi. I think support for Hulu or something was promised, never developed, some odds and ends which needed to be addressed were never fixed (weird battery meter thing, some other stuff). I really liked it and still use it for movies, it's just disappointing that as soon as something new comes out, the old one is forgotten.

edit: Though, now that I have the DROID, the Archos may be entering in to retirement.