Archos 70 Tablet

As I was patiently waiting to obtain a Elocity A7 Tegra Tablet, I continued to get email notifications of continual delays, so I jumped on a good deal for an Archos 70 android tablet.  The device was surprisingly thin and many times quicker than the Maylong tablet.  The original firmware on the device locked it down to only 800 Mhz for speed and utilizes a different compression method than other android tablets making it more difficult to customize with root options.  The initial released firmware can be temporarily rooted it needed, but the new upgrade has pretty much eliminated that as an option but has allowed the user to operate at full 1000 Mhz speed and fixed several bugs.  You can still use Google market and since it is Android 2.2, it also supports flash 10.1.  I find the unit to run fairly smoothly but, I think it is still limited by the use of only 256 MB of ram.   Many phones now days are utilizing 512 MB and I guess Archos tried to cut corners where they could to bring the device into a sub $300.00 category and still maintain good build quality.  I have found that the unit appears to run smoother by using an alternate launcher than the stock version.  I personally use Launcher Pro and notice a more fluid feel and operation.  I do worry about the fragile feeling kickstand but since I keep it in a case that props the unit up anyway,  I should minimize any risk of fracture on the prop.  I picked up the case on-line and it is custom for the unit and fits nicely and does not add a tremendous amount of thickness or bulk as do some foam slip cases, etc.   There has been many comparisons between the Archos 70 and a Nook Color (rooted of course), so I used my discounts and gift card to obtain one and will do a comparison between the two shortly.

There are several sites that one can find information software, customizations as well as discussions surrounding the generation 8 Archos devices.

http://forum.archosfans.com/index.php

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=875

http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/archos-tablets/

Product capacity • Flash Serie: 8 GB**** flash memory + Micro SD Slot (SDHC compatible)
• Hard Drive Disk Serie : Hard Drive: 250 GB**** Hard Drive
Display characteristics • High resolution screen, WVGA 800 x 480 pixels, 7'' TFT LCD, 16 million colors
• Capacitive multitouch screen
Application Framework Android 2.2 Froyo7
Processor • ARM Cortex A8 at 1 GHz with DSP
• Graphic accelerator: 3D OpenGL ES 2.0
Video Playback1 • MPEG-42 HD (up to 720p, 30 fps@6Mbps)
• MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution, 30 fps@8Mbps)
• H.264 HD (HP@L3.1 up to 720p, 30 fps@5Mbps)
• WMV9/VC1 (AP up to 720p 30 fps@10Mbps)
• M-JPEG (Motion JPEG Video) in VGA resolution

With optional plug-in (downloadable on www.archos.com):
• Cinema: MPEG-2 (up to DVD resolution MP/D1, 30 fps@10 Mbps)
With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP
Audio Playback1 • MP3 CBR & VBR
• WMA, WMA-Pro 5.1
• WAV (PCM/ADPCM)
• AAC, AAC+ 5.13
• OGG Vorbis
• FLAC

With optional software plug-ins (downloadable on www.archos.com):
• AC3 5.1
Photo viewer4 JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
Subtitles Support subtitles files with .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub extensions
Webcam Yes
Pre-installed applications • Aldiko, Ebuddy, Wikipedia, Avecomics, HubKap, Deezer, Mewbox, Raging Thunderlite (a 3D car demo game), WordNewspaper, Touiteur, Fring
Interfaces • USB 2.0: Mass Storage Class (MSC)
• Micro SD (SDHC compatible) on flash version
• USB Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) (adapter micro B/A sold separately)
• HDMI output5 (Mini HDMI / HDMI cable sold separately)
Communication protocols • WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
Miscellaneous • Built-in speakers
• Built-in leg stand
• Built-in Microphone
• G-sensor
• Front VGA Camera
Power source • Internal: Lithium Polymer battery
• External: Power adapter/charger
Battery life • Music playback time6: up to 36 hours
• Video playback time6: up to 7 hours
• Web surfing6: up to 10 hours
Scalability • Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated
• Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com and updated via USB mass storage
Dimensions & weight • ARCHOS 70 internet tablet Flash series: 201 x 114 x 10 mm – 300 grams / (7.91 x 4.49 x 0.43 - 11 oz)
• ARCHOS 70 internet tablet Hard Drive series: 201 x 114 x 14 mm – 400 grams / (7.91 x 4.49 x 0.55 inch – 14 oz)
Minimum system requirements • Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, 7 or higher
• Mac
• Linux
• USB 2.0 interface
Package includes ARCHOS 70 internet tablet, earphones, Standard USB cable, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice, power charger.