I'm not disappointed, the tablet is responsive and fluid, it did everything we asked.
Highly effective video player. Plays video files very fluidly on the local network, even wifi.
The Archos interface is a delight, very intuitive.
Comes with Android 3.x but supports 4.0, made easy day.
The 8GB version is more than enough since it can add to it a micro SD card of 16GB for a ridiculous price.
Advantage on the iPad: Scalable storage, playback of streaming sites, no weird connections.
Disadvantage 1: Load rather slow with the supplied charger, and excruciatingly slow to the USB port of a computer.
Disadvantage 2: Viewing angle of the screen. Not that he is weak, but it appears subject to a bias which we only see the contrasts well if you look at the tablet from the top or right. Specifically, if you are watching a video sitting on a couch, you'll have a good image if you put the tablet on a coffee table, and a bad image if you put it on a buffet.
Overall a good tablet, bizarre though it has mixed reviews on the forums.