However, each purchaser should advance to be clear that the Archos 9 no device to "switch on and start" is. Those who expect that will give away a lot of potential.
Also, I find the comparison with the iPad inexpedient. The iPad is a big iPhone without phone, the Archos 9, however, a netbook without a keyboard. And who is it used as such a lot of fun with it. - Given but you should first install a full-fledged Windows 7 (connect an active hub, USB mouse and keyboard at the top) and the latest drivers. In order for the Archos 9 is not slower than the Amilo Mini netbook, which my wife used to date. Even with enabled Aero interface everything is running smoothly. Even Flash videos in 720p HD run completely smoothly even 1080p is possible.
Is also criticized like that a resistive touch screen of Archos was installed. Here I must say, for Windows with its many intricate elements seems to me to have been the right choice.
In addition, my wife used the Tablet also to read texts and to provide them with handwritten notes (Stylus). A capacitive touch screen would have been fatal for such a task.
Thanks to Windows 7 can be on the Archos (almost) use any program that is also known by its normal PC - Office, browsers, mail programs, even games. The usual netbook resolution of 1024x600 pixels on the 8.9 "display is ideal. Zooming while surfing the web (which is always like shown in other devices as a great multitouch application) is therefore as superfluous.
Two more recommendations, which have very reinforced in daily use:
* For the virtual keyboard, there is a "Origami" layout in which the keys are arranged on the right and bottom left corners in the 2 quarter circles. This keyboard takes away little space and is easy to operate with your thumbs while holding the pad firmly with both hands.
* With the free program "AutoHotKey" can be the keys of your tablet, depending on the current program reassign. This makes sense if you have even a game on the Archos run 9, in which the virtual keyboard does not work anyway (fe. With DirectX full-screen, to display the menu for example).
The following briefly the things that we liked more or less:
+ Very attractive design, comfortable flat and well finished.
+ Matt display with an optimal resolution for the size (5 "would be too small, 10" is too large).
+ The touch screen responds well and accurately. With the fingertip can move and operate with a fingernail buttons and menu window.
+ The optical trackpad is surprisingly good as a mouse replacement. Combined with the touch screen operation works very well.
+ One battery charge lasts through with activated WLAN, Bluetooth and high brightness 3:30 to 4:30 intensive continuous use.
+ Charging the battery in the device is very fast.
+ The hard drive has enough free space.
+ Standby (waking and sleeping) works in 3 seconds.
+ Who knows Windows, can also be found at the Archos cope immediately.
+ The usual from the normal PC programs can be largely used on the tablet.
+ The connection to our mobile phones via Bluetooth worked without any problems (use as UMTS modem go).
+ The tablet is practically silent (no fan yet), only the hard drive can be heard from time to time.
- Instead of a hard drive Archos have also variants to offer with SSDs, as is also made 5 IT yes when Archos. These flash memory are much faster and more energy-efficient at the same time, as the relatively slow hard drive.
- Only one USB port is a bit meager. There were no less than may be 2 ports and a card reader. For this, the USB port is placed yet so unfavorable that it the service in a way is in use (fe. UMTS stick).
- The device is in operation very warm (90 ° C CPU, HDD 42 ° C), which can be clearly felt on the housing also. An USB sticks made of metal can after a short time already times burn your fingers.
- The main memory can not be expanded, which is very annoying because the 1GB RAM are quickly run (with Win7, Aero, a few desktop Widgtes already 70% are with me after the start occupied). Here the use of a fast Nano USB flash drives for ReadyBoost, which then but the only USB port is occupied is recommended.
- The display should have had a little more viewing angle stability.
- Archos hardly offers accessories to the tablet. Car charger, Power supply, battery charger, docking station? - Wrong! While there is a replacement battery, but makes the little sense if you can not charge the battery a, moment during one uses the other simultaneously in the device.
- Proposed Port Replicator looks as if it were the prototype of an (unsuccessful) design study.
- Archos has deleted hibernation in recent BIOSes. Now comes only standby, but the permanent battery sucks empty.
- Here it is wasted by poor drivers a lot of potential. So the built-in GMA500 graphics chip OpenGL 2.0 and a slew support video acceleration, but thanks to the drivers from Intel is possible under Windows 7 maximum OpenGL 1.1. - Incomprehensible!
Despite the many criticisms, we are satisfied with the Archos 9 and as soon as the budget allows, is certainly a second tablet find its way to us. At the moment there are no affordable alternative for us. The many other tablets that hiking the moment on the market, falling for various reasons from: resolution with maximum 800x480 pixels too small display with 5 "too small display from 10" too big and heavy, not a full Office available - to name a few to call.
Incidentally, Amazon gave us first an outdated version of the Archos 9. This had the Z510 processor with 1.1 GHz, a defective pixel and a rickety battery. However, Amazon replaced the device quickly and efficiently and the new tablet is now properly.
