Archos 101 Internet Tablet review

"it managed three showings of Star Wars Episode II before giving up"

That's more than I ever did.

By Lacrobat on 17 Nov 2010

"More seriously, Archos has taken the decision to avoid the Android Market in favour of its own AppsLib library, which only carries a subset of Android apps"

*SIGH* The Android Marketplace can be easily added onto any recent Archos tablet. Remember, Google is your friend.

By Lacrobat on 17 Nov 2010

"glass-fronted TFT with a 1,024 x 768 resolution"

It's 1024x600 unfortunately, which is even worse than iPad :(

By Lomskij on 17 Nov 2010

Its becoming clear that tablets are in the same boat as smartphones were when they started out years back. Each manufacturer has a few good ideas but can't seem to pull the package together. So far I haven't seen one review that has tipped me over the edge, and I'm poised to buy a tablet/slate. Even the ipad fails as it is too heavy for single handed use, crippled without flash and far to expensive. The streak may be worth another look at with 2.2 on it but are all of these devices just proving a point and waiting for android 3.0 to truly flourish as distinct devices?

By Bluespider on 17 Nov 2010

@Lomskij: Just a typo, now corrected. Thanks for pointing it out.

By DavidBayon on 17 Nov 2010

Another Year

All the tablets look like they are still version 1 software/hardware.

In another years time, I'm sure we'll be getting some excellent products from all the manufacturers at very reasonable prices (i doubt the ipad will be reasonable though ;) )

I kinda want a tablet, but I don't really think I need a tablet.
And that's the key thing here.
Until the next line of tablets are released, I don't feel the need to rush out and get something that really isn't fit for purpose.



As for being able to access the Android Market place, it's fair to say that the product isn't designed to access the Market Place.
As such any hacking/cludging required to get it access it shouldn't be included in an official review like this.
Afterall, pretty much anything can be hacked to do something that it wasn't designed to do.

By SteveSmith on 17 Nov 2010

Who the heck is selling it for £240? Do link. Everywhere I've looked so far it's £260.

By Noghar on 17 Nov 2010

@Lomskij: the ipad is 1024x768 because it is a 4:3 aspect. this is 1024x600 wihich is 16:9 this is better because this is geared more mulitmedia.

The 101's are now shipping with Froyo 2.2 preloaded. Google Marketplace can be added to any android device.

By DriveThruRecFan on 17 Nov 2010

@DriveThruRecFan:

By "worse than iPad" I meant the pixel density - it's already low on iPad, and it's even lower for similar sized Archos. I'm not saying that 16:9 is bad, however something like 1366 x 768 would be *much* better.

By Lomskij on 18 Nov 2010

Aldiko is excellent and I much prefer it to the Kindle App. If you are not using a Kindle elsewhere, I see no advantage to using it to access free content.
Aldiko also has a very nice night mode displaying white text on a black background which I find much easier on the eye day and night.

By roadshowuk on 18 Nov 2010

tethering

Your review neglects to mention the most important plus point the Archos 101 has over all its competitors: tethering. Unlike the Toshiba Folio, the Advent Vega and the Samsung tablets, the Archos 101 can be 'tethered' by Bluetooth or USB to any 3G handset, allowing it to use the handset's modem to access the web when one is away from a WiFi connection. So, if you have a data package to access the web on your handset, you can access the web anywhere for free on the Archos 101. Competitors' devices cost more to run because they do not allow tethering, forcing you to get a second data package to access the web via a separate SIM card. The Ipad allows tethering, but not to the iphone, greedily forcing customers to buy a second data connection. With regard to Android 2.2 and Flash 1.5, Archos Technical Support confirmed to me a few days ago that the 101 tablet is now shipping with both.

By tonybond1 on 18 Nov 2010

£240+ Del

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?o
rigin=gbase15.5&prodID=B511906

By Gwyndy on 19 Nov 2010

A piece of shit

I bought it 2 days ago, its still pre-installed with android 2.1 free user interface not with android 2.2. you will have to update it with android 2.2 and then you will face another problem that is Adobe Flash Player. even after installing android 2.2 you will not be able to install Flash Player as it does not come with Android Market and from Adobe.com you can not download the Flash Player. If any how you are able to install the Adobe Flash Player then its stucking so much while playing online videos, may due to low RAM.
Secondly, it is unable to be connected with any external Mass Storage Drive and unable to sync with pc.
I bought it because of its configration n specifications but its not able to deliver services as Archos claims for it.
If Archos is going to upgrade its RAM then it may be works properly. But I'm disappointed by buying it.

By DudeJaat on 3 Dec 2010

Ok a comment made by Dudejaat I think you don't know what you are talking about,the archos is a nice bit of kit for the price it's for you must of just been unlucky and had a faulty one mine has so far been great no problems from day 1 .

By Doubledeman on 28 Jan 2011

3g dongle ? support

hi all seen ths archos 101 in staples today at £249.99 AND LIKED WHAT I SAW ..but the sales staff could not tell me if the Archos 101 tabalet would run a 3g dongle as i have no access to a wifi hotspot . i see the tablet has a usb post but can the softwear accept and run my 3 3g dongle ??

By mcevoyi on 16 May 2011