The Archos 80 G9 tablet features a 1 GHz TI OMAP4 dual core processor and an 8 inch, 1024 x 768 pixel display. First introduced this summer, the 8 inch tablet is now available for purchase in the US… in limited quantities. You can pick one up for $299.99 from the Archos Store.
There will be a model with a faster 1.5 GHz processor and additional storage available soon, but for $300 you get a device with 8GB of storage, Google Android 3.2 Honeycomb, and support for a wide range of audio and video codecs. The Archos 80 G9 can handle MP4, H.264, and WMV9 videos with resolutions up to 1080p. It can also play FLAC, OGG Vorbis, AAC, WMA, WAV, and MP3 audio, as well as several different video subtitles formats.
The tablet also has a 720p front-facing camera, USB host and slave capabilities, mini HDMI output, and a microSD card slot. It has 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, built-in GPS, a G-sensor, compass, mic and speaker.
The Archos 80 G9 measures 8.9″ x 6.1″ x 0.5″ and weighs 1.1 pounds.
Archos will also soon offer a 10 inch model with a 1280 x 800 pixel widescreen display called the Archos 101 G9.
Archos is a French company that’s earned a reputation over the last few years as a maker of budget Android devices which offer acceptable but not spectacular performance. But the company’s G9 tablets could change things. They’re cheaper than most comparable tablets from big-name PC makers, but with starting prices around $300 they’re not exactly cheap. They also feature premium specs including capacitive multitouch displays, fast dual-core processors, and the latest Android operating system.
The company hasn’t given up on its inexpensive tablet roots though. Earlier this year Archos launched the Arnova brand for Android tablets that sell for $200 or less.
The $299 model has a 1 GHz dual core processor and 8 GB flash storage. It was announced previously that the model with 16 GB flash would also get the 1.5 GHz processor. Â Price of the 16 GB model is supposed to be $329. Â
Right, I forgot about that (and the Archos website doesn’t make it very clear). I’ve updated the post.Â
Wow, this really needs to be reviewed…