The tablet PC market has become very competitive because most of the manufacturers have launched a series of tablets in line, like Sony going for S1 and S2 tablet, Dell going with their Streak series of tablet PC and so as Archos going with different tablets with specially designed. Last time we have gone through the detailed review of Archos 70 internet tablet with features and specifications details too and this time we have reviewed Archos 10.1 Internet Tablet.
Table of Contents:
Hardware & Design
Software & Performance
Features
Camera
Battery Life
Image Gallery
Price
Archos 10.1 is an Android tablet with Froyo OS and it’s have 10.1 inches screen with stylish and slim metallic design. We have gone through each concept of this device accordingly.
Archos 10.1 Design and Hardware
The Archos 10.1 internet tablet is basic based on Android 2.2 Froyo operating framework. It has got ARM Cortex A8 clocked at 1 GHz processor with DSP and it’s provided with 3D graphical acceleration provided by OpenGL ES 2.0. They are made up of strong and resistant body with inner metal structure of high tensile strength stainless steel. The shell thickness is reduced to 0.3 mm and provides a stylish metallic finish.
The 10.1 inches diagonal screen turns the heads with a very slim design provides a maximum resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. And the capacitive multi-touch screen enables you to run multiple applications together, switch between them with one click.
Archos 10.1 Software & Performance
The great thing comes in surprise is from Android 2.2 Froyo operating system however unlike other Android tablet have access to Android App marketplace to install and enjoy the huge collections of applications both paid and free is not available here. Instead the customers are sent to AppsLib for adding apps. So that comes the major drawback of this tablet and the techie people would be surely be disappointed with that but nevertheless AppsLib is also a nice market for Android Apps with over to 40,000 apps available.
It comes with pre-installed apps like Aldiko provides you to read books, ebooks with browse and download from heavy collection of their inventory, Ebuddy app for instant messaging services and online chat with friends on Facebook, Gtalk, MySpace, AIM, ICQ and Yahoo, Quick search to Wikipedia, Avecomics, HubKap sync mobile data with your tablet other devices, Deezer the free music streaming services, Mewbox a music store for Google Android which as the 4 million tracks, Raging Thunderlite a 3D car demo game, World Newspapers, Touiteur and Fring app for video calls and mobile calls.
The home screen consists of 5 navigation and the overall interface allows advanced personalization. The icons can be placed, moved or erased with just few clicks with your finger and thus its provides instant access to your favorites applications.
For those who are not programmers can skip to the next section consisting of Features, as this is paragraph presents the programming capabilities of Archos 10.1. The device is completely open to programmers and advanced users can install alternative operating system and have complete control over the system environment. So they can remove Android OS and install Linux operating system on it.
Archos 10.1 Features
It’s provided with an adjustable leg stand so that you get the best position to enjoy whatever you do. And importantly if you feel that your 10.1 inches screen is small for you then you can connect it your large screen TV through a wire from the TV out pin. This tablet provides Internet on go by tethering to your 3G cell phone. You would have to link up your 3.5 G mobile phone to this device via your phone Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot or with Bluetooth or via USB cable and this devices makes cell phone as 3G modem and you can enjoy free access to the Internet.
This tablet also supports a UPnP protocol which allows this device to add it to the list of established functional network services for data sharing & communication. So using that you can play your movies, videos and photos on your Archos device with being transferring the files to it which is present on the PC.
Provided with the 3D open GL technology and the accelerometer you can discover a real gaming experience and Archos can be your real game console. You can read your office documents like Word, Excel Powerpoint with OfficeSuite application available at AppsLib. Its compatible with Microsoft Office, provides ability to manage all the Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents.
The users can connect external accessories like USB keyboard or Bluetooth and make it work ideally suitable accordingly to your requirements. It uses Android browser for browsing on the web and Android email client for checking emails. You can manage multiple email accounts from Google mail, Hotmail, etc., directly on the Archos 10.1.
It supports multiple video playback including HD videos with file formats like MPEG 4, H.264, H.263 and M JPEG, AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF and 3GP. The following audio formats are supported – MP3, AAC, AAC+, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, WMA, VBR and others. Its provided with 3.5 mm headset jack for universal headphones acceptance and micro SD card slot provides prohibition for adding extra memory to the device.
The device automatically downloads the firmware updates when the Wi Fi is connected and also the updates can be downloaded at www.archos.com via USB mass storage. The tablet weights 480 grams and the dimensions of 270 x 150 x 12 mm.
Archos 10.1 Camera
Though Archos tablet are high in design, hardware and specifications, they had to compromise in camera and it’s clearly visible when you look at the tablet. Though it’s has got VGA camera on the front facing which can serve as the purpose of webcam for video chatting but still having VGA camera is like not having a camera.
Archos 10.1 Battery Life
All the Archos tablet are powered with Lithium Polymer battery with AC chargeable and this edition of Archos does run on the same battery which offers 36 hours of music playback, video playback time of up to 7 hours and web surfing of up to 10 hours.
Archos 10.1 Price
The Archos tablets are known for its cheaper price and varied ranges of tablet. The Archos 10.1 is available in two variants in the internal storage. The 8 GB internal storage edition comes with a price tag of $ 299 and that of 16 GB comes with a price tag of $ 399.
Archos 10.1 Gallery
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Conclusion
The pros of this device are in the hardware configuration and the screen of it. Another thing to consider before buying this tablet is the price tag attached with it. The major cons being it has a VGA front camera and you need to go with AppsLib for Android Apps rather than the normal Google Android Market which might not be a bigger issue. Overall it’s not a straight pick but you need to carefully look out depending upon the application you would use it.
