How I convinced myself to buy the Archos 80 G9!!!

So the main reason i wanted this tablet over all others was..............

THE PRICE

I live in the UK and found the Archos for 199.99 GBP (currently 280 dollers US) which in my opinion was reasonable for what I was going to use it for.

The main things I will use it for are......

1. As a Kindle. The kindle app for android is free to download and very easy to use. While the kindle is better as an e-reader only, the archos can also do much more.

2. Magazine reading.

3. Media streaming from my PC. This is what Archos are really good at Media. So this is probably my main use of the tablet. With the micro SD card slot I can take as many Films, Music, Books and Magazines anywhere I like.

4. Reading my course books. As I am a part time student this is very usefull for reading all the pdf's that my course books are in. Saves me hulking around the hard copies everwhere. It is also able to read and edit excel, word, powerpoint files. Although I haven't actually tested this yet.

5. Web browsing. With my many internet ventures and my love of TV, I can use the Archos to view all pages. It even has flash.

6. Video calls. I'm really getting used to video calls now. With the built in camera and microphone the Archos does this very well.

Archos 501840 Gen9 8 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2)

Archos 501870 Gen9 10.1 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2)

Prices were £191.99 & £244.99 respectively as of 12/03/12

Display 8'': 1024 x 768 (4:3 ratio)

Operating System: Android 3.2 "honeycomb"

Processor Classic version: OMAP 4 smart multi-core ARM CORTEXTM A9 at 1GHz

Storage capacity: Capacity Flash Memory: 8 GB + microSD Slot (SDHC compatible)

Supported Formats & Codecs: H.264 HD (HP@L4.2, up to 1080p@30 fps and 1080i/720p@60 fps) MPEG-42 HD (SP/ASP@L6, up to 1080p@30 fps)
With optional plug-in: Cinema: MPEG2 HD (MP/HL, 1080p@30 fps)
With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF

Audio Filetypes: MP3 WAV (PCM/ADPCM) AAC3, AAC+ 5.13 OGG Vorbis FLAC
With optional software plug-in: AC3 5.1

Picture Filetypes: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Subtitles: .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub formats supported

Webcam: 720p front camera with 720p encoding

Interfaces: USB slave 2.0: Mobile Transfer Protocol (MTP) USB host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) (Micro USB/USB Host cable sold separately) microSD (SDHC compatible) HDMI output6 (Mini HDMI / HDMI cable sold separately)

Wireless: WiFi (802.11 b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR

Misc Built-in speaker GPS G-sensor Compass Built-in kick stand Built-in Microphone

Power source: Internal: Lithium Polymer battery External: Power adapter/charger

Dimensions & weight: 226mm x 155.3mm x 11.7mm (flash)/ 14.7mm (HDD). Weight 465g (599g for HDD)

Battery life: Music playback time6: up to 36 hrs Video playback time6: up to 7 hrs Internet navigation time 6: up to 10 hrs

Software update: Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com

Minimum system requirements: Microsoft® Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or higher and Windows Media Player 11 Mac OS. X with Transfer Files application (not included) Linux with android MTP tool (not included) USB 2.0 interface

My mum has an i-Pad 2 currently replcing the i-Pad which she passed onto my sister. I have used both and agree that they are very well finished, as you would expect for the cost. I beleive they start at around 500 dollers.

From what I can see the Archos G9 series are both capable of doing the same essential tasks as the i-pad. While it is not quite as well finished as the i-Pad it does have some extra features which in my opinion are essential.

Firstly it has a Micro SD card slot. Meaning you can extremly simply add extra storage space. It amazes me that the i-Pad gets away without this. I simply will not buy products that have a hold on me. If you have an i-pad what do you do when you run out of space? I assume they expect you to fork out for an even more expensive version, or pay for cloud space. I suspect this is the reason.

Archos have historically made media players. And so with this in mind the native applications are perfect from streaming from your PC. I have hours of backed up DVD's and recorded TV on my home PC. So this was a major reason to buy the archos.

It also comes with a full size USB 2.0 port. Which can be used with an archos 3G dongle, if this is something you need. Or can even be used to expand memory. A very helpful addition.

Finally the Archos comes in 2 sizes an 8 inch and 10.1 inch. I have gone for the 8 inch as it is more portable. Another reason to choose the archos over the i-pad.

Finally the price. the archos 8 inch is currently available for around 280 dollers with the 10 inch at 350 dollers. With the i-Pads starting at around 500 this was the decider for me.

So given all the extras that the Archos is capable I decided it was the tablet for me. Since receiving it, I am still happy and extremely glad of the card slot as i now use it so much that I really need the space.

The only Tablet in the market worth the money.


Sad, Lonely Robot by LazyHaze
10 inch case perfect for tablets!

Now I have had the device for a few months I am just as happy as I was to begin with. I has been fully capable of doing everything I have wanted it for.

I have all my pod casts from BBC radio 4 on it. Some films from my PC. All my university course books are on it, in PDF format.

I have genuinly used it every day. I just can't see what it can't do that an i-Pad could. I would even go so far as to say that it is capable of more and is much more flexable than an i-Pad.


Baby Panda Playing with Koi by LazyHaze