Archos 9 Tablet now a BUY.

[Olley]

I've been watching the Archos site, and up until today the Archos 9 tablet was a Pre-Order. Today you can buy one. HERE's the site

[Olley]

The 9 is now shipping too. Just to confirm that "Buy" wasn't actually their short word for pre-order.

[Andreas]

It's been out for a while now... long enough to be conirmed to suck due to shipping with the worst choice of OS ever: Win7 starter. Why is that bad? It's the only windows 7 version without the new tablet specific software...

[Olley]

It was "out" when Windows 7 came out. Yet only a few ever made it to buyers, and most of those were just to reviewers. I've been trying to buy one but every source would only let me pre-order, with no promise of a ship date. Until Wednesday, that is.

I'm aware of Win7 Starter addition, the resistive screen, no multitouch, and so on. Archos kept it off the market a few extra months, hopefully to polish it, maybe to put a better "skin" on 7. I'll know Tuesday when mine shows up. I get the feeling they are expecting to disappoint some customers though, as my email confirmation came with a lengthy return policy document: 15% restocking fee, even if it's exhanged as defective, and customer pays any shipping necessary. RMA mandatory, and only a 7 day window for ANY returns.

[musichound]

Olley, just for the stupid return policy, I would never order one. I wish you only the best in your order and hope it meets your expectations.

[Olley]

Sadly, that return policy only showed up as an attachment to my ship confimation email. It's very french of them.

Thanks for you're good wishes, Musichound.

[Curiouss]

Here are the specs from the Archos website:

8.9" touch screen
Windows® 7 Starter Edition
WiFi and Bluetooth
Extremely light and thin, .67" and 29 ounces
HD Video: Watch video in 1080p (H264HP 1080p)
Internet: Experience the full internet on a 8.9" screen
Edit and create documents with the QWERTY virtual keyboard
Forward facing 1.3MP web cam for video conferencing
Battery Life: 5hr (WiFi Bluetooth off, mini backlight)
Package includes: power cord, power adapter, stylus, removable battery

5hr battery life + $549... ill be better off with a Netbook then

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by Curiouss

Here are the specs from the Archos website:



5hr battery life + $549... ill be better off with a Netbook then

I have to agree 100% here, as with the price and the inane restocking fee it's just ridiculous. I'm glad I got my Arcos 5 (non-Android) on sale, or I'd never have bought it.

[Olley]

I've got a netbook, and the problem is that it's a pain to use while laying on my sofa. The Archos 5 I've got is a joy, but small. I'm taking a shot on the 9 to find out what it's good for. I'll dedicate it to run a CNC machine if I can't find any other use.

[a_tumiwa]

5 hours is what they claimed, maybe the real is only 4 hours

[Olley]

Looks like the Apple Touchpad is shooting for the same market as the 9. The iPad has a taller screen and G-sensor which I'd love to have on my 9. It runs iPhone apps, but of course the 9 runs any Windows app. The related thing about it is that they claim 10 hours battery life. I'll guess it's got more battery space inside than the 9. No hard drive, but the 64 SSHD will set you back $699. You can get the 16gb version for $499 and 32gb version for $599.

No multitasking on the iPad. A better touch UI though. I'm not regrettng getting the 9 so far.

[G-Man76]

So I am currently using a Lenovo X61 tablet. I use the tablet function a lot but it is too heavy. Wondering if this archos would be a good replacement? otherwise I may wait for the Courier or Notion Adams Ink to come out.

Does it have One note and can you journal with a stylus?