Archos 7 and 8 Home Tablets are cheap, but you get what you pay for
By Vlad Savov 
posted March 1st 2010 6:52AM
posted March 1st 2010 6:52AM
posted March 1st 2010 6:52AM
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EWWWWW!!!! that is like the iPad bezel on crack!
Maybe Apple paid Archos so the iPad bezel now doesn't look that huge
That seems like a lot of kit for the money.
As long as it can playback video at the screens native resolution and has expandable memory I don't see the specs being too limiting. Baterry life seems really good too, especially considering the low weight. Make the iPad seem expensive.
@Wolfticket
That 'paying for codec nonsense' was The Past'... My Archos 5 Android IT/23gb came fully unlocked for all common audio/video codecs, and is fully capable of running the same Android Market apps that my DROID does (sans ones that require the camera).
These new tablets look like great deals (stating at US 179.99) for those who simply want to surf the net, listen to music, watch videos, play FLASH games/apps, or read books on excellent Android apps like Aldiko Premium, and having built-in expansion slots only sweeten the deal.
Really I have liked Archos but come on what is that bezel supposed to be used for drinking your Martini shaken not stirred will reading the next MI6 assignment
$203 straight conversion, probably less when it actually comes to the US without all the taxes and whatnot. So long as it takes expansion cards it looks like a decent PMP.
@YpoCaramel
I don't really get Archos. I was looking at the 5 and the screen felt really flimsy.
@Luke the screen feels "flimsy" because it's a capacitive screen
@Luke
What the heck does 'Flimsy' even mean when talking about a glass touch screen?
I'm posting this message from my Archos 5 Android IT and there's nothing remotely 'flimsy' about the screen, as it's easily one of the most responsive 'resistive' touch screens available.
So this thing is an "ideal web reading device" but the iPad stinks?!?!?! That doesn't make sense.
@fatjoe
Its spelt prawn and it can be used for watching things other than district 9 too.
I think I still prefer the iPad over these. You need to get as much quality as possible in a device! Anyway, with websites like DubLi and eBay, it's not difficult to pick up quality tablets at a discounted price.
@Hellagood A possible hold-over until iPad 2nd Generation when the iPad might actually have some compelling features, tried-and-true.
@juanvaldez agreed, I rarely buy any technological products until 2nd/3rd gen - why pay a premium for a product that will only get cheaper and better over time?
It's Archos.
Standard crippled Archos.
Horrible Customer Service Archos.
If you want web access, you will likely have to pay for a "plugin". That is how they have always done business.
@Showbiz
The Android Archos devices do not require plug-ins for web access.
@UMPCman and the non android ones don't require any fees for their web plugins
The Dell mini 5 will not get it's thunder stolen
@reas0n555
Unless the DELL Mini 5 comes in at under US 200.00 (like these will), offer memory expansion slots, DVR capability, and fully function sans contract, these Archos offerings will certainly find their share of buyers seeking those features.
*twich* bezel.... ahhhg,
@bazookafx3 From the looks of it, the Archos 8 is designed to be used on a worktop/wall similar to the o2 Joggler. In this guise I don't think the bevel is a bad idea.
It could be useful for syncing Google calendars between a family.
The processor is Cortex A8 not Arm 9.
Anyone else hates Archos and their terribly designed products as much as me?
@ctyrider
I think many of the other comments show everyone hates their stuff.
i agree with all here WTF up with that bezel come on HUGE for no dame reason i do like archos had several of there devices over the years .. but been holding out for the dell mini5 big time
@ctyrider
Sorry guys, I'm french, and I hate the archos products sooo much, you cannot imagine. There are the most incredibly piece of sh$t I have ever seen in my life. Qu'ils aillent en enfer, eux et leur médiocrité !
Another lackluster release from Archos. I really had hopes that I would be soon picking up their latest Android device, but I should have known. I doubt they have capacitive touch, or the android app market. I'm guessing they dropped the GPS from the device, making you pay for that feature in the future. I wonder if it even has an accelerometer. So much that the Android OS relies on is going to be lacking here. Meh, good luck to 'em.
Now, where's Adam...
2gb? wtf? my archos 7 imt has 160gb, apparently putting android and removing the hard drive took $300 of the purchase price i paid for it
Tablet?!?!? Looks more like a serving tray. Tea and crumpets anyone? Another piece of crap from Archos..... shocking.
@Charbax
Why would anyone want to watch ANY video you post on Archos? No matter how big a piece of 'shart' it is, you will tell us what quality build it is and how ground breaking it is. Archos has pumped out 70 products in the past 3 years, and you have given each and every one an A+. You really think we buy any of this 'shart' you try pedaling us anymore?
The bezel on the 8" is to wipe the flour when you're following a recipe on it. Seems these 2 devices have 2 totally different markets; the 7" is for casual media consumption, the 8" is for the kitchen. ( And I'll do a preemptive "that's what she said", just to be first)
I think the brushed bezel looks good as a picture frame, but I can't imagine carrying that around (even at home!)
After the Archos 5 Android tablet there's no way in hell that company will ever see another cent of my money.
The hardware may be nice but the ton of bugs in the software ensures that compared to their shitty user experience even Brando looks like a high-quality company.
@MikeZ
I too had difficulties with my Archos 5 Android It/32gb when I first bought it, but after upgrading to Android 1.6 (FW 1.7.77) and installing the Android Market manually, it's been great.
I understand that many buyers become easily frustrated with being made 'beta testers', but I'm always an early adopter and expect a few issues with a completely new product.
@DaHarder
I completely agree...It kills me how easy people give up because they are frustrated then run out and bash the product because of their inpatients..I am picking up an Archos 7 160gig tomorrow...I have read enough quality reviews to know it is good hardware..I'm not worried about the software cause you can always work around that...And customer service? I haven't ever called customer service...I have enough experience with fixing electronics to be my own customer service! LOL