Does Archos 101 Tablet Computer make a worthy upgrade to 70.

The Archos 101 Internet Tablet pc is a new offering from the micro portable specialists.

The tablet makes the top 10 tablet pc list due to plentiful high spec features and a host of configuration options.

It’s basically an upgrade of the Archos 70 with a bigger screen. The 101 stand for the 10.1 inch screen size of the upgraded model, and defines a next generation of tablet computers with a minimum usable screen size being central to the wave.

At 1024 x 600 pixels (WXVGA), Archos they have hit the sweet spot in terms of usability and size.

Other than touchscreen resolution, the processor and graphics chipset is the same.
The Processor is a 1GHz ARM Cortex; ARM are real specialist in computer processing for mobile technology and power many mobile devices you already may use today.

Sure the higher spec TFT makes a big difference to movies or pictures, and will enhance the capability of the integrated webcam.

The downside is that they removed the 250GB Hard Drive facility in the Archos 101, probably due to keeping the weight down. Instead your choice is Internal Flash Memory, though they have offered a 16GB option as well as the standard 8GB.

Despite this, the Archos 101’s better design function is the portability and light weight of the tablet. The 101 weighs in at a respectable 480g. The Archos 70 was only a paltry 300g for the Flash series, with the Hard Drive Series adding another 100g.

The tablet is full of connectivity options, HDMI, USB, Micro SD and Wifi and Bluetooth for network connections.

The battery life is a very decent 10 hours of surfing, 7 hours of video playback time and 36 hours music playback time. The ten hour mark seems a standard for portable tablets nowadays.

The Built in Leg stand is a night addition as is the Gravity Sensor, but the lack of major internal hard drive may put some users off. The whole idea of a portable computerized device is so that you don’t lug around extra hard drives or connectivity dongles.

Specifications

Screen Size: 10.1“ WVGA 800 x 480

Weight: 480g

Platform: Android 2.2 Froyo

Memory

Storage: Flash Series: 8 GB/16GB flash memory + External Micro SD Slot

Processor: 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 with DSP

Camera

Front VGA 2MP Webcam

Interfaces

USB slave 2.0: Mass Storage Class (MSC)

Full size USB host: Mass Storage Class (MSC)

Micro SD (SDHC compatible)

HDMI output

Extras

Built In Speakers/Mic

Built in leg stand

G-sensor

Summary

The multi-platform capability and option to choose hard drive, thus lightening the weight, make this tablet a worthy contender in the top ten tablet pc website.