Looks like a great choice. 8" for $299 is reasonable.
"MicroSD, MicroUSB, HDMI, 802.11 b/g/n, GPS and Bluetooth are old hat port-wise" The mainstream $499 iPad and Galaxy Tab 10.1 are missing about half of those.
Exactly! Why are those ports referred to as "old had" when they are missing in other mainstream tablets. Lack of USB is a major reason for my passing on a tablet.
They're fairly new to Archos too. They used to force you to use their proprietary connector for everything. You could buy adapters to use USB but it wasn't built in.
About your ports. I am currently rocking the Acer Iconia 32gb from Costco last week at $429.99. 1USB, 1MicroUSB, 1MicroSD 1MicroHDMI 1 headphone jack. Its only oddity is that it uses a standard 1pin AC Jack connector and doesn't have a cable for it's included docking port. However, if i lose my ac cable, I can easily replace that, so, i'll only chalk that up to minorly wierd. It can charge over the dock port, so I am searching for a USB to Dock port cable for it. Very happy overall. It also has the other feature largely overlooked on these tablets. IT has great sound.
It's actually got 2 USB Host ports, one behind the device is designed only to fit the specially designed thin Archos 3G Stick that they will sell $49 unlocked, meaning that can support any HSDPA 3G SIM Card in the world. Though I think Archos will try to also have a CDMA version for any US carrier willing to do some kind of deal on that 3G stick, for example $19 with Virgin Mobile on pre-paid Data could be a good idea
My WiFI Xoom has all that. mini USB, mini HDMI, GPS, BlueTooth and WiFI. Will be interesting to see how the ADAM 2 does when it comes out. Notion Inks ADAM has full USB ports and a consumer replaceable battery. I would have purchased one, but my office was only able to purchase a Xoom or IPAD2. I chose the Xoom and loving the freedom. Our Asst Director chose the IPAD2 and I don't see her using it at all. I think she finally realized it does exactly what her iphone does....and nothing more. So her IPAD looks pretty with a pink cover...cut its been a waste of money so far.
GotThumbs, ever heard of Apple's App Store? She should check it out (and maybe you as well). TONS of more apps than Android and a far more versatile selection as well. Not to mention that iOS5 is "kick butt". Good luck upgrading the Xoom's OS (practically obsolete the day you bought it).
Nothing more than the iPhone is hardly a negative in this respect.
Honeycomb Android 3.2 is coming forthwith. How's that official iOS 5 you don't have yet working out for you?
When that happens, just know that the Notifications system you'll use on iPad was already improved upon when Honeycomb came out. See, Google knew 'ALERTS' weren't the main focus of a larger device, so they were moved to the side and easily hidden. However, porting it over to iOS from Android DIRECTLY works well for your phones. Now you can join us Android owners, like my old Samsung Moment and my new HTC Evo 3D, in actually knowing what's going on.
While I feel for you in that you must still suffer not having sequential flipping thumbnails of indexed selections or email preview widgets right on your homescreen such as we do on our phones and tablets, I realize you are above such clutter and feel that merely having 1 quick view of all of your pertinent new data without having to even swipe a finger is beyond you and I understand your need to not be different. It's okay. In a year when you get those features, and Steve says it's OKAY for you to have those features, you won't even realize they were available before because Steve will tell you how new it is, just like your innovative new notification system.
BTW, I love what you guys do with Copy and Paste, REVOLUTIONARY!
So if you want the speed benefit of the "fastest tablet in the world", and you want to avoid a mechanical hard drive, the 8" 16GB might be your best bet at only $329.
Those numbers bother me for some reason. Based on the 80, the 16GB -> 250GB upgrade is $40 Based on the 101, 8GB ->16GB upgrade is $30
The 80 8GB + $30 (Flash upgrade) = 80 16GB Meanwhile your getting the faster processor for free.
101 16GB to 101 250GB is $70, which we can see above $40 is the HDD upgrade. But essentially now the Processor costs $30 too.
Screen size at base model seems to indicate the 10" is $70 more than the 8" But again the 80 16GB vs the 101 16GB seems to have the Processor upgrade free again while at 250GB the 101 user pays that $30 CPU premium again.
Based on all that, the 16GB 80 seems like the best "deal", especially if you can find it on sale for like $300 in the not too distant future.
Unless it is a typo in their system, this will be the pricing. I agree the pricing seems odd but for whatever price I can't imagine what sort of a bargain that SoC has to be. Of course it is possible the savings come in build quality but we can hope not.
Why is that surprising? Flash drives are a lot more expensive than HDD's. I wouldn't trade 8GB of flash for 250GB of HDD, not on a tablet at least. You don't want your tablet to slug around waiting for the HDD.
Maybe you do not have to trade the 16GB flash memory (I mean you'd get 16GB nand flash + 250 GB HDD)... let's hope so! So you just put big media files (flac, mkv...) on the HDD and keep your apps on fast built-in memory...
When I see how my old android phone became sluggish with apps on a class4 microSD card, I'm sure hdd wouldn't improve anything on that matter.
WOOOOOH!!!! FINALLY!!!! I've lost track of how long I've been baggering you guys to start including Archos in these line-ups. This is a start, barely. Let's keep it going. Archos 4.3 and 5 and Archos 7 should be getting updates very soon. As far as I know they're waiting for the next Android to come out, the one that merges honecomb and hand held versions of the OS.
In my case my next handheld tablet will either be the PSP Vita or an Archos 4.3. It would be TREMENDOUSLY helpful if there were reliable anandtech reviews for those up when the time comes. I mostly only care about wifi. If I REALLY need 3G/4G I will just get a Virgin Mobile phone with infinite wireless broadband for 25 bucks/month and since all Archos devices support bluetooth tethering just tether the Archos to the pay as you go phone. Since they only sell lower end smart phones, 3.2" and down. That's a major feature I hope the Vita will have that it probably won't; since they partnered with stupid ATT,.
On another note, seriously people? Stop being ok with paying 100+/month for your freaking phone. I don't care how much you use it; go look at Virgin Mobile. That is the MAXIMUM a cell phone should cost. Capitalism can't work if people are indiscriminate with their money. Frakking Starbucks and Apple are proof of that. How does Starbucks have "regulars"? Seriously? That's 25 bucks/week, AT LEAST. In 2 weeks you bought a new video game. In 8 you bought an Xbox 360. After a year you bought a VERY VERY nice laptop, 1300 bucks. Sorry, Starbucks just pisses me off... 5 bucks for coffee... it's not even that good, compared to Dunkin it's bland.
Smaller carriers like Virgin, and less powerful/current phones, aren't a viable alternative for everyone... Dunno why you keep railing about it on every phone/tablet review. I do agree that a lot of people overpay for mobile service, if you don't travel much you should be able to live with T-mobile or Sprint for $35 less per month...
Likewise, not everyone wants a tablet they they have to tinker with in order to gain market access etc. Most of those that do enjoy that just got themselves a Nook. The rest of the frugal market is waiting for better budget options imo. I'm glad competitors like ASUS, Toshiba, and Archos are putting the phone manufacturers on notice over their tablet prices. These things shouldn't cost more than a netbook.
I keep "railing" about it cause stupid people are costing everyone money by paying absurd rates. If they simply refused the prices would drop. Like other guy said, Virgin isn't "smaller". You're simply wrong there. And it's not 35 less per month, it's closer to 100 less!!!!
I want Archos 4.3 with a cell modem on Virgin, that'd be awesome! AND PSP Vita.
Sure, lots of people overpay, but there are more factors at play than you acknowledge. I get 22% off my Verizon plan through my work affiliation. Many companies have deals like this. With that discount, my unlimited data plan is just $22/month. And I have coverage in all the places I regularly travel, which have no coverage by competing companies. That's worth something extra.
Yes, Verizon would be more expensive if I needed unlimited voice or text messaging, but I don't. And yes, if you stay inside highly populated areas, any carrier will have decent coverage. But I don't. And that's my point. Many situations to consider, with 'best value' being relative to what you need.
I could not agree more. Having spent most of my life in Europe, where there is actual competition thanks to government regulation, I am amazed at the prices people pay for their cellular phones and service, as well as internet and the rest. Not to mention the lack of choice. And the slow speeds. Or the fact that in the US, you pay for incoming calls. And incoming SMSs. INCOMING TEXTS, FOR GOD'S SAKE! My friends don't even believe me when I tell them. Why, people? There are better, cheaper options! Use them, and the juggernauts will have no choice but to bring their prices down. Don't buy into the bullshit, and the bullshit will disappear!
OK, didn't intend to sound quite so "Vive la revolution!", it's just so frustrating to see everyone lining up to pay ridiculous prices for terrible service, thinking it's just the way it has to be.
With 4*3 on the table we need only a tablet big enough to tape onto my monitor stand and I can finally forget the last half-decade of the 1080p travesty.
the HDD versions are too bulky • ARCHOS 80 G9 Flash series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 11.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.46 inch) - 465g (17 oz) • ARCHOS 80 G9 Hard Drive series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 14.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.58 inch) - 599g (21.9 oz)
• ARCHOS 101 G9 Flash series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 12.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.50 inch) - 649g (23.8 oz) • ARCHOS 101 G9 Hard Drive series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 15.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.61 inch) - 755g (27.7 oz)
and ofc for now screen quality and battery life are unknown and could be problematic.
It is not the fastest, there have been faster x86 tablets for years. Even the weakling Inspiron Duo matches this crap's 2x1.5GHz in x86 form and is very much old news now. But say you don't want to count it and the myriad of other convertibles as true tablets, the 12-inch ep121 still fits the bill here, and has an actual core2 inside, way way faster. And hopefully sometime soon it is going to get a Sandy Bridge version and kick even more ass.
Even with a clarification that you mean 10-inch and under only, there's the the oak trail q550, or the brazos 110w. Perhaps it is a bit arguable if either is actually faster, at least if you blindly compare clock speed times the number of cores, but the fact is, the x86 ones can run real stuff and the arm ones can run cellphone stuff only.
I'm actually quite disappointed by AT and its lack of coverage of the x86 tablet options, I get the feeling that with some more pressure and attention from sites like yours, manufacturers would have rushed in the good stuff much faster, for example that SB ep121 update, etc.
I couldn't easily find a EP121 for sale. I found a Core i5 version for $1000.
You are right, x86 tablets should receive a ton more coverage, especially since every x86 tablet could run Windows/whatever for "real stuff" and an android-like splashtop alongside it for "cell phone stuff" or maybe even run Android apps in a VM.
X86 tablets are a smaller market than even Android tablets and often involve compromises too great for most users, particularly battery life, screen quality, and OS. Perhaps with Windows 8 tablets this will change, but that's yet to be seen.
You got one particular point of that completely in the reverse, ARM tablets are the ones compromising on OS - they barely get one. Screen quality has nothing to do with the CPU architecture, so that's an invalid claim as well. If some particular product (*cough* TM2 *cough*) compromises on that to offset the price difference, that's just because of braindead designers. The actual compromises that have to be made for x86 tablets are price, weight and battery life, but thankfully progress is being made and things are looking up now. We've reached a point where those compromises aren't too significant, and the great performance benefit is certainly worth it.
I am playing WoW, EVE Online, Dragon Age 2 on my ancient TM2, the newer devices we can expect soon will blow even that out of the water... how would fart apps and Angry Birds compete against that at all? Apple's magic marketing might have done good for a start, but eventually people will grow a brain.
Jason never tied screen quality to the CPU, he simply mentioned that screen quality was one of the compromises that have kept the x86 tablet market so small.
I honestly would love to talk to you more about your gaming on your TM2, in particular the efforts to overcome the keyboard/mouse UI. We are open to adding content based on our readers interests, believe me when I say that we do this for you all, and, yes, as the Win7/8 tablet market grows we will devote more coverage to it. For now, we're a small team that do our best to keep up with what's out there and what we can get our hands on. I'm pretty sure the last time we reviewed a convertible was the Gateway E-155-C in 2007 (http://www.anandtech.com/show/2266/11), so maybe it is time we took a look at what else is out there.
Seriously, feel free to shoot me an e-mail and let's chat about your usage model and what models you want us to try and get our hands on. Thanks.
From the included pics, it looks like Archos is finally releasing an Android device with the official Market. I remember back in the days of the Archos 5 IMT when AppsLib was the integrated storefront with just a handful of apps and paid apps relying on a separate system. The unofficial support community did get a market hack out fairly quickly, though.
Of course, they could have just taken a stock Honeycomb screenshot and photoshopped it onto the screen of their tablet.
Hi Everyone - My name is Craig and work at ARCHOS - Just to be clear, both the 16GB and 250GB capacities on both the 80 and 101 will run dual-core up to 1.5 GHz.
I wonder what quality the tablets are of? Hard to imagine tablets with such specs can be that cheap. They have to cut corner somewhere. I am concerned of the weight and the quality of the screen.
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flyingpants1 - Monday, July 18, 2011 - link
Looks like a great choice. 8" for $299 is reasonable."MicroSD, MicroUSB, HDMI, 802.11 b/g/n, GPS and Bluetooth are old hat port-wise"
The mainstream $499 iPad and Galaxy Tab 10.1 are missing about half of those.
hyperphysics - Monday, July 18, 2011 - link
Exactly! Why are those ports referred to as "old had" when they are missing in other mainstream tablets. Lack of USB is a major reason for my passing on a tablet.jonup - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
These ports are "old had" for Archos tables.djc208 - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
They're fairly new to Archos too. They used to force you to use their proprietary connector for everything. You could buy adapters to use USB but it wasn't built in.rupaniii - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
About your ports. I am currently rocking the Acer Iconia 32gb from Costco last week at $429.99. 1USB, 1MicroUSB, 1MicroSD 1MicroHDMI 1 headphone jack. Its only oddity is that it uses a standard 1pin AC Jack connector and doesn't have a cable for it's included docking port. However, if i lose my ac cable, I can easily replace that, so, i'll only chalk that up to minorly wierd. It can charge over the dock port, so I am searching for a USB to Dock port cable for it. Very happy overall. It also has the other feature largely overlooked on these tablets. IT has great sound.Charbax - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
It's actually got 2 USB Host ports, one behind the device is designed only to fit the specially designed thin Archos 3G Stick that they will sell $49 unlocked, meaning that can support any HSDPA 3G SIM Card in the world. Though I think Archos will try to also have a CDMA version for any US carrier willing to do some kind of deal on that 3G stick, for example $19 with Virgin Mobile on pre-paid Data could be a good ideaMonkeyPaw - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
I fear the LCD panel wont be very good.GotThumbs - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
My WiFI Xoom has all that. mini USB, mini HDMI, GPS, BlueTooth and WiFI. Will be interesting to see how the ADAM 2 does when it comes out. Notion Inks ADAM has full USB ports and a consumer replaceable battery. I would have purchased one, but my office was only able to purchase a Xoom or IPAD2. I chose the Xoom and loving the freedom. Our Asst Director chose the IPAD2 and I don't see her using it at all. I think she finally realized it does exactly what her iphone does....and nothing more. So her IPAD looks pretty with a pink cover...cut its been a waste of money so far.Wizzdo - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
GotThumbs, ever heard of Apple's App Store? She should check it out (and maybe you as well). TONS of more apps than Android and a far more versatile selection as well. Not to mention that iOS5 is "kick butt". Good luck upgrading the Xoom's OS (practically obsolete the day you bought it).Nothing more than the iPhone is hardly a negative in this respect.
rupaniii - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
Honeycomb Android 3.2 is coming forthwith. How's that official iOS 5 you don't have yet working out for you?When that happens, just know that the Notifications system you'll use on iPad was already improved upon when Honeycomb came out. See, Google knew 'ALERTS' weren't the main focus of a larger device, so they were moved to the side and easily hidden. However, porting it over to iOS from Android DIRECTLY works well for your phones. Now you can join us Android owners, like my old Samsung Moment and my new HTC Evo 3D, in actually knowing what's going on.
While I feel for you in that you must still suffer not having sequential flipping thumbnails of indexed selections or email preview widgets right on your homescreen such as we do on our phones and tablets, I realize you are above such clutter and feel that merely having 1 quick view of all of your pertinent new data without having to even swipe a finger is beyond you and I understand your need to not be different. It's okay.
In a year when you get those features, and Steve says it's OKAY for you to have those features, you won't even realize they were available before because Steve will tell you how new it is, just like your innovative new notification system.
BTW, I love what you guys do with Copy and Paste, REVOLUTIONARY!
steven75 - Friday, July 22, 2011 - link
It must be strange living in your little alternate reality where the Xoom wasn't a complete and total flop.flyingpants1 - Monday, July 18, 2011 - link
Let me make sure I understand the pricing here.Archos 80 G9 (8" model):
$299 - 8GB flash, dual core 1GHz
$329 - 16GB flash, dual core 1.5GHz
$369 - 250GB HDD, dual core 1.5GHz
Archos 101 G9 (10" model):
$369 - 8GB flash, dual core 1GHz
$399 - 16GB flash, dual core 1GHz
$469 - 250GB HDD, dual core 1.5GHz
$20-80 - Archos or other USB 3G adapter
So if you want the speed benefit of the "fastest tablet in the world", and you want to avoid a mechanical hard drive, the 8" 16GB might be your best bet at only $329.
Casper42 - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Those numbers bother me for some reason.Based on the 80, the 16GB -> 250GB upgrade is $40
Based on the 101, 8GB ->16GB upgrade is $30
The 80 8GB + $30 (Flash upgrade) = 80 16GB
Meanwhile your getting the faster processor for free.
101 16GB to 101 250GB is $70, which we can see above $40 is the HDD upgrade.
But essentially now the Processor costs $30 too.
Screen size at base model seems to indicate the 10" is $70 more than the 8"
But again the 80 16GB vs the 101 16GB seems to have the Processor upgrade free again while at 250GB the 101 user pays that $30 CPU premium again.
Based on all that, the 16GB 80 seems like the best "deal", especially if you can find it on sale for like $300 in the not too distant future.
Charbax - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
The Archos 101 G9 16GB is probably also a 1.5Ghz processor. To be confirmed.JasonInofuentes - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Unless it is a typo in their system, this will be the pricing. I agree the pricing seems odd but for whatever price I can't imagine what sort of a bargain that SoC has to be. Of course it is possible the savings come in build quality but we can hope not.Lucian Armasu - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Why is that surprising? Flash drives are a lot more expensive than HDD's. I wouldn't trade 8GB of flash for 250GB of HDD, not on a tablet at least. You don't want your tablet to slug around waiting for the HDD.oliwek - Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - link
Maybe you do not have to trade the 16GB flash memory (I mean you'd get 16GB nand flash + 250 GB HDD)... let's hope so! So you just put big media files (flac, mkv...) on the HDD and keep your apps on fast built-in memory...When I see how my old android phone became sluggish with apps on a class4 microSD card, I'm sure hdd wouldn't improve anything on that matter.
Hrel - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
WOOOOOH!!!! FINALLY!!!! I've lost track of how long I've been baggering you guys to start including Archos in these line-ups. This is a start, barely. Let's keep it going. Archos 4.3 and 5 and Archos 7 should be getting updates very soon. As far as I know they're waiting for the next Android to come out, the one that merges honecomb and hand held versions of the OS.In my case my next handheld tablet will either be the PSP Vita or an Archos 4.3. It would be TREMENDOUSLY helpful if there were reliable anandtech reviews for those up when the time comes. I mostly only care about wifi. If I REALLY need 3G/4G I will just get a Virgin Mobile phone with infinite wireless broadband for 25 bucks/month and since all Archos devices support bluetooth tethering just tether the Archos to the pay as you go phone. Since they only sell lower end smart phones, 3.2" and down. That's a major feature I hope the Vita will have that it probably won't; since they partnered with stupid ATT,.
On another note, seriously people? Stop being ok with paying 100+/month for your freaking phone. I don't care how much you use it; go look at Virgin Mobile. That is the MAXIMUM a cell phone should cost. Capitalism can't work if people are indiscriminate with their money. Frakking Starbucks and Apple are proof of that. How does Starbucks have "regulars"? Seriously? That's 25 bucks/week, AT LEAST. In 2 weeks you bought a new video game. In 8 you bought an Xbox 360. After a year you bought a VERY VERY nice laptop, 1300 bucks. Sorry, Starbucks just pisses me off... 5 bucks for coffee... it's not even that good, compared to Dunkin it's bland.
Impulses - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Smaller carriers like Virgin, and less powerful/current phones, aren't a viable alternative for everyone... Dunno why you keep railing about it on every phone/tablet review. I do agree that a lot of people overpay for mobile service, if you don't travel much you should be able to live with T-mobile or Sprint for $35 less per month...Likewise, not everyone wants a tablet they they have to tinker with in order to gain market access etc. Most of those that do enjoy that just got themselves a Nook. The rest of the frugal market is waiting for better budget options imo. I'm glad competitors like ASUS, Toshiba, and Archos are putting the phone manufacturers on notice over their tablet prices. These things shouldn't cost more than a netbook.
fishman - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Virgin Mobile is owned by Sprint, and uses the Sprint network, so they really aren't a "smaller carrier".Hrel - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
I keep "railing" about it cause stupid people are costing everyone money by paying absurd rates. If they simply refused the prices would drop. Like other guy said, Virgin isn't "smaller". You're simply wrong there. And it's not 35 less per month, it's closer to 100 less!!!!I want Archos 4.3 with a cell modem on Virgin, that'd be awesome! AND PSP Vita.
TrackSmart - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
Sure, lots of people overpay, but there are more factors at play than you acknowledge. I get 22% off my Verizon plan through my work affiliation. Many companies have deals like this. With that discount, my unlimited data plan is just $22/month. And I have coverage in all the places I regularly travel, which have no coverage by competing companies. That's worth something extra.Yes, Verizon would be more expensive if I needed unlimited voice or text messaging, but I don't. And yes, if you stay inside highly populated areas, any carrier will have decent coverage. But I don't. And that's my point. Many situations to consider, with 'best value' being relative to what you need.
erikpurne - Friday, July 22, 2011 - link
I could not agree more.Having spent most of my life in Europe, where there is actual competition thanks to government regulation, I am amazed at the prices people pay for their cellular phones and service, as well as internet and the rest. Not to mention the lack of choice. And the slow speeds. Or the fact that in the US, you pay for incoming calls. And incoming SMSs. INCOMING TEXTS, FOR GOD'S SAKE! My friends don't even believe me when I tell them.
Why, people? There are better, cheaper options! Use them, and the juggernauts will have no choice but to bring their prices down. Don't buy into the bullshit, and the bullshit will disappear!
erikpurne - Friday, July 22, 2011 - link
OK, didn't intend to sound quite so "Vive la revolution!", it's just so frustrating to see everyone lining up to pay ridiculous prices for terrible service, thinking it's just the way it has to be.ET - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Strange that anyone (except Apple) is going for a 4x3 resolution. Not saying it's bad, but I certainly don't think it's standard.JasonInofuentes - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Expect to see more of it.Exodite - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
That's excellent news.With 4*3 on the table we need only a tablet big enough to tape onto my monitor stand and I can finally forget the last half-decade of the 1080p travesty.
steven75 - Friday, July 22, 2011 - link
Based on volume, 4:3 *is* the standard.jjj - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
the HDD versions are too bulky• ARCHOS 80 G9 Flash series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 11.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.46 inch) - 465g (17 oz)
• ARCHOS 80 G9 Hard Drive series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 14.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.58 inch) - 599g (21.9 oz)
• ARCHOS 101 G9 Flash series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 12.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.50 inch) - 649g (23.8 oz)
• ARCHOS 101 G9 Hard Drive series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 15.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.61 inch) - 755g (27.7 oz)
and ofc for now screen quality and battery life are unknown and could be problematic.
Charbax - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
3mm more thickness and 106 grams more in weight is not too much for people who want a 250GB hard drive.Visual - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
It is not the fastest, there have been faster x86 tablets for years.Even the weakling Inspiron Duo matches this crap's 2x1.5GHz in x86 form and is very much old news now.
But say you don't want to count it and the myriad of other convertibles as true tablets, the 12-inch ep121 still fits the bill here, and has an actual core2 inside, way way faster. And hopefully sometime soon it is going to get a Sandy Bridge version and kick even more ass.
Even with a clarification that you mean 10-inch and under only, there's the the oak trail q550, or the brazos 110w. Perhaps it is a bit arguable if either is actually faster, at least if you blindly compare clock speed times the number of cores, but the fact is, the x86 ones can run real stuff and the arm ones can run cellphone stuff only.
I'm actually quite disappointed by AT and its lack of coverage of the x86 tablet options, I get the feeling that with some more pressure and attention from sites like yours, manufacturers would have rushed in the good stuff much faster, for example that SB ep121 update, etc.
flyingpants1 - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
I couldn't easily find a EP121 for sale. I found a Core i5 version for $1000.You are right, x86 tablets should receive a ton more coverage, especially since every x86 tablet could run Windows/whatever for "real stuff" and an android-like splashtop alongside it for "cell phone stuff" or maybe even run Android apps in a VM.
JasonInofuentes - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
X86 tablets are a smaller market than even Android tablets and often involve compromises too great for most users, particularly battery life, screen quality, and OS. Perhaps with Windows 8 tablets this will change, but that's yet to be seen.Visual - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
You got one particular point of that completely in the reverse, ARM tablets are the ones compromising on OS - they barely get one.Screen quality has nothing to do with the CPU architecture, so that's an invalid claim as well. If some particular product (*cough* TM2 *cough*) compromises on that to offset the price difference, that's just because of braindead designers.
The actual compromises that have to be made for x86 tablets are price, weight and battery life, but thankfully progress is being made and things are looking up now. We've reached a point where those compromises aren't too significant, and the great performance benefit is certainly worth it.
I am playing WoW, EVE Online, Dragon Age 2 on my ancient TM2, the newer devices we can expect soon will blow even that out of the water... how would fart apps and Angry Birds compete against that at all? Apple's magic marketing might have done good for a start, but eventually people will grow a brain.
ggathagan - Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - link
Jason never tied screen quality to the CPU, he simply mentioned that screen quality was one of the compromises that have kept the x86 tablet market so small.JasonInofuentes - Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - link
I honestly would love to talk to you more about your gaming on your TM2, in particular the efforts to overcome the keyboard/mouse UI. We are open to adding content based on our readers interests, believe me when I say that we do this for you all, and, yes, as the Win7/8 tablet market grows we will devote more coverage to it. For now, we're a small team that do our best to keep up with what's out there and what we can get our hands on. I'm pretty sure the last time we reviewed a convertible was the Gateway E-155-C in 2007 (http://www.anandtech.com/show/2266/11), so maybe it is time we took a look at what else is out there.Seriously, feel free to shoot me an e-mail and let's chat about your usage model and what models you want us to try and get our hands on. Thanks.
Jason
sakanagai - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
From the included pics, it looks like Archos is finally releasing an Android device with the official Market. I remember back in the days of the Archos 5 IMT when AppsLib was the integrated storefront with just a handful of apps and paid apps relying on a separate system. The unofficial support community did get a market hack out fairly quickly, though.Of course, they could have just taken a stock Honeycomb screenshot and photoshopped it onto the screen of their tablet.
JasonInofuentes - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Per their website, official Market support is included.jdonnelly81 - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
It could be pretty decent for a car entertainment/navigation system. It would certainly be cheaper than what auto manufacturers want for much less.cterblan - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
Hi Everyone - My name is Craig and work at ARCHOS - Just to be clear, both the 16GB and 250GB capacities on both the 80 and 101 will run dual-core up to 1.5 GHz.RazelDazel2 - Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - link
what about the screen? what type is it? do we know?Vinny DePaul - Thursday, July 21, 2011 - link
I wonder what quality the tablets are of? Hard to imagine tablets with such specs can be that cheap. They have to cut corner somewhere. I am concerned of the weight and the quality of the screen.djfluffwug - Friday, July 29, 2011 - link
There was actually a typo on their website. ALL Gen 9 devices so far will have the full 1.5Ghz processor. The author of this article should update it.