[sweetspot]

It's a shame that a company that is trying to continue to build up a good reputation, carries on in such a manner that would garner such negative attention. Aside from what you've mentioned, and what I've quoted, the other aspect of this scene is the acknowledgment from such companies (or lack thereof), that they are dangerously close to entering into the portable PC market, without either being well equipped enough, or having done enough market research to figure out where to dot their i's or slash their t's. Here's what I mean:

If you're company X, and you're pushing a product into the market which is capable of wi-f, BT2, HDMA, web browsing, well...let's just say capable of what the iAudio Q5, and the latest offerings from Archos are bringing to the table, then you're charging at LEAST $500 for said product, which doesn't even include all the necessary peripherals which enhance the functionality of your new toy, then why in the world, do you think that I should not look at a full fledged laptop instead ?

Yes, the PMP's and such are significantly smaller. But in cases such as these... smaller IMO, does not = better. I'd rather buy a nice small laptop on which I can do all that these PMP's are capable of, but tons more. At these price ranges, I want them to offer true support for portable OS choices... open software, and closed.. just give me options.

I think that these companies are just running into the wind, and making bad choices themselves, right now. But hey, that's what happens with chaos... you sometimes have to run into a brick wall before you realize that you can't run anymore.

It's not that I mind swiss army knives. Not at all. But if you're going to put one on the table, make sure that it's THE swiss army knife, and not just a replica with missing parts. After all, if one is to pay good money, they should get what it's worth. Sad that so much money these days with companies such as Archos, seems to go nowhere at all. Not including an standard adapter ? That's atrocious... Is that what you said Saints ? These things are investments, which some people take quite seriously... not everybody has money to piss away, and it's very irresponsible for a company to shirk its duties by turning a blind eye to its supportive customers, as it's apparent they did, for not providing proper support for already existing models of PMP's before releasing an entirely new line.

That sounds like the old days with Apple and the iPod (battery fiasco anybody ?). Anyway, I think it's neat to have all of these cool toys and such, but if I'm expected to plop down a weeks pay check on a piece of kit which will ultimately cost me more than a laptop after I've bought all of the extras which it should have come with in the first place, AND that piece of kit is to be disregarded by the company whom made it when a new line is ready, then I'm afraid I just can't play.

At this point, I just can't get past that for the price, a laptop would fulfill my needs a hell of a lot more than these recent PMP incarnations which are supposed to do 'everythng', or close enough to that....

/rant half over. Have to work on something.