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Archos Platinum tablets tote quad-core CPUs and IPS displays, start at $200
While Archos gave a sneak peek at its Platinum lineup a month ago at IFA, it's finally ready to spill the beans now. The company has released not just one, but three new tablets in three different sizes -- 8-inch, 9.7-inch and 10.1-inch. All of them come equipped with 1.6GHz quad-core processors, high-resolution IPS displays, dual-band WiFi, 8GB built-in storage, Bluetooth and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The 8-inch model has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, the 9.7-inch has 2048 x 1536 and the 10.1 model has 1280 x 800. The smallest of the lot also only has 1GB of DDR3 RAM while the other two have 2GB each. As a bonus incentive, the 10.1 model is the only one with GPS and a 2-megapixel camera on the front; the rest have a 0.3-megapixel front-facing cam. Other specs that are the same across the three are a microUSB port, a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD card slot, a mini HDMI output and a 2-megapixel rear camera. As is often the case with Archos, the prices are very competitive: the 8-inch model will retail for $199.99, the 9.7-inch for $269.99 and the 10.1-inch model for $299.99. We're not sure if that's enough to sway consumers away from more well-known tablets, but it's a start.
Archos outs a phone and several Android tablets ahead of IFA
The rest of us haven't even started packing for IFA and yet here's Archos, spilling the beans about what it'll be showing off in Berlin next week. As ever, the company's got lots to talk about. Lots. The lineup includes a bunch of tablets and a handset, all running Android. At the top of the tablet heap is the company's Platinum range, which includes aluminum-clad slates running quad-core processors, Android 4.2 and displays with up to 2,048 x 1,536 resolution. The 101xs2, not part of the Platinum line, also has a quad-core processor inside, along with front-facing stereo speakers and a magnetic keyboard. Then there's the Xenon tablet series -- three devices that the company is positioning as "cheaper than Apple or Samsung Wi-Fi tablets." For gamers, the company will be trotting out a currently spec-less GamePad 2, and for kids, Archos is going to show off the skinned and parent-friendly ChildPad. There are a few more details available for the Archos 50 Oxygen, a flagship handset that features vanilla Android 4.2, a quad-core CPU, 16GB of storage and a 13MP rear-facing camera. The company also used the opportunity to tease a "unique Smart Watch concept." How is it unique? We can't really tell you. More information on that and the rest of the above coming soon, we're sure. Hey, the company has to save something for IFA, right?
Archos 116 Platinum tablet joins CES lineup with 11.6-inch IPS screen for $349
How do you build a powerful, attractive 11.6-inch tablet that retails for $349? Well, you cut some corners when it comes to build quality, as we discovered when handling Archos' 8 and 9.7-inch Platinum models last month at CES. The company's latest slab features an identical quad-core 1.2GHz processor, eight-core GPU, 2 gigs of RAM, Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), front and rear cameras, along with microSD and HDMI connectivity. The 116 Platinum, however, packs a larger 11.6-inch, 1920x1080-pixel widescreen IPS display, boosting the price tag to $349, compared to $299 for the 9.7-inch model and $199 for the 8 incher. Archos has promised some hands-on time at CeBIT next month in Germany, but you can get a fairly solid idea of how it'll look and feel by checking out the smaller Platinums in our CES vid after the break.
Hands-on with Archos' two iPad lookalike tablets, the Archos Platinum 97 and 80
What to make of two Archos-branded tablets that look almost exactly like Apple's ubiquitous iPad and iPad Mini? We weren't quite sure, honestly, but after spending some brief time with both Archos' Platinum 97 and 80, it's easy to understand why Archos went with that look -- the two Android tablets are beautiful, simple, and sleek. But looks only go so far, and when we actually spent some time using the device, we were a bit less impressed. While the 9.7 and 8-inch IPS touchscreens are perfectly serviceable, the physical buttons on each device feels junky and unresponsive. It's not for a lack of power: both tablets feature a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU and an unnamed "eight core GPU," pushing 2048 x 1536 resolution on the 97 and 1024 x 768 on the 80 Platinum. Jumping from application to application was quick and slick, but we couldn't help but remain disappointed by a power button that chose to work only sometimes and some relatively low-grade front- and rear-facing cameras: just 2MP apiece. Of course, we'll reserve our full judgment until the Archos Platinum line arrives at retail in March (and in our hands); the Platinum 97 runs $329, while the 80 costs $199.%Gallery-175386%
