ARCHOS once again is leading the way in innovation with the introduction of the Netbook of the future, the ARCHOS 9 PCtablet. The new ARCHOS 9 PCtablet combines the performance of a high end netbook with breathtaking aesthetics, excellent ergonomics and a tactile interface on a superb screen.Pure lines, extreme thinness (0.67"), 800g and a stunning black finish, the ARCHOS 9 PC tablet pushes the boundaries of elegance and simplicity on a Netbook, fulfilling the expectations of the most mobile users. It provides all the power and comfort needed for daily usage. With this ultra-light and thin PCtablet, you can watch you videos (including Full HD format), browse the web, "video chat", or write your mails or documents. Play all your multimedia content including HD videos Use all your daily software such as Windows Live Messenger or Skype with Windows 7, or Lotus Symphony as a productivity suite . Stay connected to Internet and your emails with the built-in connectivity.
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Slow Has A New Name...The Archos 9 - Scott Sherman - Maryland, USA
The Archos 9 looks slick and feels good in your hand.
Thus endeth the positive parts of this review.
Imagine a turtle racing through a pool of peanut butter, slow it down by half, and then freeze the frame - that's about how fast this PC runs. You can practically feel it straining as it labors to open programs, switch windows or accept input from the touchscreen. Even low-resolution You Tube videos stuttered on it - Hulu was like a flipbook.
The good news is Archos knows there's a problem. While the original Archos 9, which I have, featured a paltry 1.1 GHz Intel Atom Z515 processor, CNET reported on April 21, 2010 that a new version uses 1.2 version of the chip that supports hyperthreading. CNET found that "while that might not seem like a big upgrade in theory, the new CPU actually made a fairly significant difference in our tests."
However, they still couldn't recommend this tablet, and neither can I. Apple's iPad offers a much better, although more restricted, experience. If you must have a Windows Tablet, HP's upcoming "Slate" looks promising, although early word is that it doesn't solve the problem of trying to run Windows 7 on an underpowered netbook-based processor.
It's really a shame. Windows 7 has a lot going for it and the openness of the platform is great. Hopefully, the success of the iPad will make manufacturers realize people want handheld computers that offer a satisfying user experience. Based on the quality of the Archos 9's materials and design, maybe they'll be the ones to figure it out. But they haven't yet.
