| Product capacity | • 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) • 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, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP |
| Audio Playback1 | • MP3 CBR & VBR • 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. |
The Idea
Originally I was thinking of buying either Samsung Galaxy Tab or Cherry Mobile’s Superion , though admittedly I was more incline with the Superion tablet as compare to Galaxy Tab as it has more bang for the buck, though I had to admit that buying the cheaper Superion means that you get what you pay for, and what I’m getting from the unit isn’t exactly much. Fortunately, I require little so literally I was more incline than ever before. My sister on the other hand got wind of my intention to buy such gadget and promptly offered a valuable advice. She showed me some sites that offers these sort of gadgets, though it should be on record that her advice was centered more on acquiring laptops. The site also showed archos 70 in its grandeur. So I made some inquiries about the prospect of owning an Archos 70 250gb IT and did a technical comparison with my two previews choices more in particular cherry mobile’s Superion. To make the story short Archos 70 250gb IT got my nod of approval and truth be told it wasn’t really that hard on deciding which one to buy once I start to look at the basics specs in tandem with my personal specification. Cherry Mobile Superion
Archos A70 Internet Tablet Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) Qualcomm 600 MHz processor 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CP 7” WVGA capacitive touchscreen 7" display @ 800×480 pixel capacitive screen 512MB internal (up to 32GB via microSD) 250GB HDD model 3G, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps None WiFi 802.11 b/g WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Ambient Light sensor Front VGA camera G-Sensor Bluetooth v2.1 With EDR 3MP autofocus camera Front Facing VGA camera GPS/AGPS and many more Bluetooth 2.0 SRP: Php 14,300 SRP: Less than Php 12,000(current estimates)
One of the most fascinating thing about the Archos 70 250gb IT. Is the storage capacity this little wonder device is not something to be taken lightly. Compare to other well know brands like apple’s latest version the iPad 2 which has maximum storage capacity of only 64 gb or Samsung’s Galaxy tab with 32 gb and let me not forget my first option Cherry mobile’s Superion which actually does not have an actual built in storage capacity and rally heavily on SDs for it to remember what it supposed to do, an obvious predicament for my taste. Given these options, I say the Archos 70 with its 250GB storage capacity under the hood was the right choice, not to mention a more financially practical reason above everything else. About my Archos 70 250gb Internet Tablet The Exterior Furnishing
External features of the unit instantly gave me an impression of being flimsy at best. As Archos 70 250 IT is roughly made out plastic on the first glance. Of course this gave the unit less weight and a more thinner disposition. But don’t let this put you off, each Archos unit went through what the manufacturers called plastic overmolding. Basically plastic overmolding is treating the unit’s inner metal structure of high-tensile strength stainless steel with plastic, the steel and plastic are directly bounded resulting in high overall structural strength and reduced thickness. Despite of how it looks this unit is one sturdy contraption. Another noticeable external fixture in any Archos internet tablet is the leg stand which I admit, comes in pretty handy when I get bored holding the unit, thought it should be noted that the leg stand feels a bit flimsy. In General the Archos 70 250gb feels like a fragile device, but with a core built supposedly like a tank and as long as it doesn’t fall hard flat on the ground or take a skinny deep or whatever tragic circumstance, other than what is mentions the Archos 250gb IT guarantees your personal enjoyment. The audio speakers are excellent, Though the touch screen command reaction lag behind, depending on the application probably something to do with the processor or the number of application while the unit is running. Interfacing via Bluetooth, PC or wifi is easy and simple as it should be. I haven’t done UPnP protocol though, and I’m sure that this unit can deliver as advertise. The unit has a webcam in front pretty common enough for internet tablets nowadays. Playing movies with the Archos 70 is good and clear with no skips or jumps or worse hang-ups. While battery life with my Archos 70 runs more than 7 hours depending on the application I’m using. For example, I played 4 movies in a row and the unit still have plenty of juice to dish out. While operation using wifi eats too much juice though it can be said the my Archos 70 can run for 5 hours with wifi humming away.
Android Froyo As mention the Archos 70 250GB IT operates Android 2.2 Froyo for its operating system, the same OS as that of my first two option employs. I’m not so sure as how the other previews Android OS runs as compare to Froyo or how the latest versions of Android OS like Gingerbread and Honeycomb and the upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich. But one thing is certain Achos 70 250gb IT and Android Froyo is a match made in heaven. I got no complains in that regard.
Gaming
It should be said that I did not bought this contraption for this particular purpose. With that said, gaming with the ARCHOS 70 250GB IT is a breeze. I did tried a few and the capacitive multitough screen is as responsive as ever and my nephew is crazy over angry birds, reading ebook and Japanese manga. One thing for sure, gaming with this unit is not to be out done. Cons and Concerns One of a major let down about Archos 70 250gb IT and I guess it holds true with any tablet the market, is its inability to easily replace the battery by yourself. Basically, with any unit be it Archos 70, iPad, Galaxy Tab and many other tablet in the market has a peak battery usage for about 1 or 2 years and gradually dwindles down in continuous use. Of course everything depends on how often one use the unit no matter what brand your using. So, the more one uses the unit the faster your battery life dwindles or lose its efficiency. So consumers to these, long list of gadgets have no choice but to have the unit send back for proper battery replacement adding cost to the consumer as compared to doing it yourself. Or opt to buy something new, a vicious circle which manufacturers have been exploiting for years. And this has been a major consumer concern for a long time.
To My Horror
After receiving the delivery of the unit, I immediately put it through its phases. After an hour of using the unit it automatically resets itself without my intervention. It keep doing so from time to time for the whole first week. I also notice that the battery easily died out less than 3 hours, and this is supposed to be brand new unit. And within 2 weeks of operation it gone from bad to worse. By the end of the second week I was unable to access any of my files, the battery’s life expectancy is worse than a mere life span of a fly. In other words it was as useless as a pile of dung. Fortunately, I was about to get in contact the local distributor and advice to ship the damn contraption to them so that they could sort the problem out. I did so, and a week latter I got my unit back and is now operating as advertised. Hence my all praise, in the first few paragraph of this users review.
The Conclusion The Archos 70 250gb IT is the perfect alternative for more expensive brands out in the market its specs are good and the manufacturer support you get from the staff is excellent. And that my bottom line.
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