Archos 9 tablet gets priced in the UK

We've heard a few different prices and release dates for the Archos 9 tablet since it was introduced early last month, but it looks like Archos has now come out and finally clarified things a bit -- in the UK, at least. Apparently, it'll be offering both 80GB and 160GB versions of the tablet in the UK, which will run £449.99 and £499.99, respectively, or roughly $735 and $816. Stuff.tv is also reporting that the tablet will be available in September, although that conflicts a bit with the October 22nd launch date for Windows 7 -- which would be a bit of a problem for a Windows 7-based tablet. So, still a few details to sort out, not the least of which is word of availability 'round these parts.

[MaX PL @ Jul 4th 2009 7:23PM]

who the hell buys these archos things?

[Boards of Canada @ Jul 4th 2009 7:49PM]

I dont know but this tablet is so cool there's a good chance I'll become one of them.

[b3tan @ Jul 4th 2009 7:57PM]

One of our lads had one in Iraq a few years back. When you're out in the desert, laptops get a bit messed up and the iPod/PSP screens were just too small. For a bit of evening entertainment in the back of an APC it was perfect. Built in stand, fairly decent storage capacity and screen.
I can't think of any other time I'd use one now though. If I were a travelling businessman, I'd just use my laptop or iPhone for video.

So to summarize I have no idea either, but maybe I added some sort of insight.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jul 4th 2009 8:26PM]

What the hell is wrong with you Barney? Not a single one of your comments makes sense.

[Erik @ Jul 4th 2009 8:48PM]

Wow talk about a POS.
This thing better run better than my desktop if it wants me to for out that much for it.

[trevor @ Jul 4th 2009 9:46PM]

trevors

[iphonerulez @ Jul 4th 2009 10:59PM]

It sure seems like it would come in handy for my use as long as it could play back videos well. To me, this seems far more useful than some crappy netbook even if it does run Windows 7. I'm really surprised that tablets never sold well before. Archos just dumped all over Apple with this product. I'm just not sure who is going to buy this product now. Will netbook users be dumping their current devices for this now? Or will it be used instead of a full-sized notebook user.

I really would think Archos would do well with this if Windows 7 is any good. Meaning, not too resource hungry for whatever processor this thing is using. I'd take this over a Kindle, anytime.

[Chip @ Jul 5th 2009 1:56AM]

@iphonerulez: 9" 1024x600 display, 800mhz-1.2ghz atom CPU, 1gb RAM and 80 or 120gb hard drive. Considering the minuscule size (no room for a decent battery), 3 hours of run time is probably optimistic.

In other words, this offers specs below that of the average netbook for 3x the price. All for the "convenience" of not having a keyboard. At $300 this might have found a market, but at $800+ it's only going to find a handful of saps with more money than brains.

[Cash @ Jul 5th 2009 6:16AM]

Bought one for my dad for inflight entertainment. It plays divx videos, supports drag and drop file transfers, and works as a dvr with optional dock. It also supports iso files, so you can rip an entire DVD and play it back as if the disc was actually in the unit. It also supports wifi, with a decent Opera browser that let's him check his hotmail and sports scores during layovers.

Bottom line: it's high quality, versitile, and extremely easy to use with great battery life. For people who travel a lot

[Sinister Joe @ Jul 4th 2009 7:26PM]

So it's like a laptop but without the silly bottom part with the keyboard that allows you to sit it on your lap or desk and use it easily? Brilliant.

[Excelsium @ Jul 4th 2009 7:48PM]

Well you could think of it as a nettop with the bonus of being able to check your stocks in the bathroom etc.

or digital note taker etc..

there's always niche markets that need filling.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 4th 2009 7:30PM]

Does this also come with that "legendary" Archos support?
/sarcasm

-because that's the one thing keeping me from wanting it.

[stefan @ Jul 4th 2009 7:42PM]

Now THIS would be brilliant for Android. Imagine this with Android, 3G and GPS in your car...

[lawyer bird @ Jul 4th 2009 10:34PM]

That's like the only semi-decent use I've heard yet for one of these things. This would be cool in a car. That's about it.

[AnnoyingPoster @ Jul 5th 2009 1:52AM]

there is an android version, but if its the same price, why would you bother

[Levi @ Jul 5th 2009 11:34AM]

"That's like the only semi-decent use I've heard yet for one of these things. This would be cool in a car. That's about it."

Art.

[ENVi @ Jul 4th 2009 7:43PM]

I think the October 22nd date is for retail launch. The OEM version, maybe what Archos would be using, is usually release earlier than that.

[b3tan @ Jul 4th 2009 8:01PM]

Yep. I'm sure they have an entire department at Archos to deal with this stuff. I highly doubt Engadget are the first to notice.

[Absolute92 @ Jul 4th 2009 8:11PM]

I'm fairly new to this category of electronics, is this a fair price for this type of device ?
You can buy like 2 netbooks ( which I would never do) small ass screens I hate those damn things.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jul 4th 2009 8:30PM]

I say a good price for this would be $500. The quality is better than a $300 netbook but the specs are worse than a $800 convertible tablet.

[Greg Miller @ Jul 4th 2009 8:17PM]

why anyone would spend 800 dollars for a 9 inch tablet just blows my mind

[julian @ Jul 4th 2009 8:31PM]

wow is engadget slow to this one the first version of it will run on android.. hints why u can buy one before october 22nd
just goole it
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1432499/unnamed-archos-android-internet-tablet-unveiled-september-15th

[Qsat @ Jul 4th 2009 8:41PM]

I have an Archos 5 and i will never buy any archos product ever. They release unfinished product and they lie about the specs and features. Visit the archos fan forum to see by yourself how this company is ripping their customer, when a dedicated ''fanboy'' forum is against their own devices, that a bad sign.

[w550i @ Jul 4th 2009 8:46PM]

Holà

[skyblaze @ Jul 4th 2009 9:45PM]

http://es.engadget.com/

[I hate mingers @ Jul 4th 2009 10:39PM]

lol, skyblaze

[Junp @ Sep 28th 2009 6:49AM]

I have archos 704, its decent player but everything else sucks big time. They dont respond on emails, they dont tell any info about anything. Maybe its because theyre french, however, theres no excuse to do so. Fuck them, I hope they die.

[Dusty @ Jul 4th 2009 9:22PM]

What u guys think about the 13''?????

The company also took the chance to out and price its Archos 13 laptop. The new addition packs a 13.3-inch screen, 250GB hard drive, 10 cell battery and HDMI port, but still remains portable at 1.6kg.

What u think for price?

http://stuff.tv/News/Archos-9-PC-tablet-priced-for-UK/12698/

[z-man @ Jul 4th 2009 9:34PM]

I dont like the way this appears to be going. Even with Windows 7, it looks like the basic functionalities, the things a touchscreen tablet like this would be useful for will be done cheaper with the new CrunchPad. If it does land here in the U.S with a 7-8 hundred dollar price tag, it wont do as well as the CrunchPad.

But hey. I still want to play with this at some point... it looks like balls of fun.

[Garret @ Jul 4th 2009 9:36PM]

Look, this one comes with Internet Explorer!

[GeekGirl @ Jul 4th 2009 10:05PM]

Waiting for Apple :)

[BChau @ Jul 4th 2009 10:09PM]

This is very suitable for students. Light to carry and the touch screen for notetaking (with or without stylus). It runs full Windows OS so that all the typical apps would run. And when they are back home, they can plug-in an external display and keyboard and use it as a full desktop.
Indeed it is suitable for teachers as well. And indeed it is suitable as a laptop replacement. Usable on the road and when in the office/home again you can use it as a full desktop.
I'd get one. I only hope the CPU is powerful enough and the RAM can be increased.

[svierk @ Jul 5th 2009 7:06AM]

I couldn't agree more!
I'm using tablet pc (lenovo x60) for two years. I completely switched to digital note taking at my university. Thanks to this wherever I move I always have a full access to a wealth of my notes at any time (in onenote2007).
At home I hook it up to 24" monitor and wireless keyboard and all works like a charm (especially since win7)

Only downside is that my tablet with extended battery is a bit heavy and it takes bit of practice and training to be able hold it in one hand and jot with another one.
So I'm very curious how this form factor will work!

[AnnoyingPoster @ Jul 5th 2009 1:53AM]

enjoy loser. windows 7 + multitouch is here today

[Dayne @ Jul 5th 2009 9:36AM]

Ouch. 800 bucks? I wanted one, but not THAT much

[tampa03cobra @ Jul 5th 2009 4:28PM]

Give me one that will accept an ATT 3G SIM (with both 3G bands functional), have Wifi for a backup and I will be sold. This is exactly the device I have been searching for. I hope the battery life is decent (5+ hours).

I would happily pay 800 bucks for this thing, as it's exactly the form factor many of the people in my profession have been looking for (mobile engineering). The ability to take hand drawn notes, video conference and use HSDPA?

*drool*

If they're taking pre-orders I'll have one right now. I guess there's more to France then I gave them credit for.

[Enigma @ Jul 5th 2009 6:37PM]

I love the thought of getting something like this and mainly would get it to read my 1000's of PDF files while at work but no way I would spend that much for this form factor.

[iCurmudgeon @ Jul 6th 2009 12:00AM]

hey, I've been running the Win 7 RC1 release, and I think the Archos9/Win7 combo would be a winner. Nice thing about Win 7 is it supports tablet/touch screen functions out of the box.

I was getting ready to buy a netbook, but I'm holding off for this baby instead. I currently have a 605 media player with a 160 gb hard drive in it and my only complaint is the short battery life -- which is going to be my complaint over ANYTHING portable until manufacturers figure out how to shoehorn a quantum power tap into their products.