Finally arrived- review

[swagner53]

My Archos 101 finally arrived this week. So far I am impressed, sort of. Out of the box the thing was slow. There is something wrong with Archos' implementation of the launcher. Using any other launcher (I chose launcher pro) the device speed is MUCH faster. The screen is responsive. Getting the market and other google apps installed took all of 5 minutes.

Basically it is a pretty capable tablet. I have 2 iPads in the house and this compares well to them. The sound is great. The screen is no where close to the iPad but it is usable. The glare on it sucks and I am considering an anti-glare screen protector.

It seems to have a wifi issue with some channels. The first day it was constantly dropping and I had to shut down the wifi and turn it back on every 5 minutes. This seems to have settled down and now I can stay connected.

Overall this is a nice machine. It seems relatively solid and the battery can get through the day. It recognized a USB drive with no problems and even a standard USB keyboard- just plug it in and go. For the price it is well worth it. I can't see spending twice as much for a galaxy or xoom (even though I am lusting for a wifi only Xoom).

 

[wintermute000]

yeah the key is FOR THE PRICE
there are little glitchy things, you have to hack the android market onto it (and even then not all apps appear, some are stuffed by the soft buttons e.g. screen cutoff etc.)

its nowhere close to ipad responsiveness or slickness. But for the technically inclined who don't mind to waste a few hours tuning it, its a capable little machine. I'm v happy with the price/performance. Also the form factor is perfect (one handed operation is fine), and as a media player it excels. Far better than the really cheap apad clones, the A-8 cortex processor + capacitive screen means that it actually does perform at an acceptable speed, though once again (esp noticeable with heavy web pages) its not an ipad, but good enough. You really have to know droid apps though to get the most out of it, e.g. the included PDF reader or adobe PDF reader stinks but ezPDF and you're away. Miren browser is snappier and more feature filled than stock. etc.

 

[UBRocked]

yeah the key is FOR THE PRICE
there are little glitchy things, you have to hack the android market onto it (and even then not all apps appear, some are stuffed by the soft buttons e.g. screen cutoff etc.)

its nowhere close to ipad responsiveness or slickness. But for the technically inclined who don't mind to waste a few hours tuning it, its a capable little machine. I'm v happy with the price/performance. Also the form factor is perfect (one handed operation is fine), and as a media player it excels. Far better than the really cheap apad clones, the A-8 cortex processor + capacitive screen means that it actually does perform at an acceptable speed, though once again (esp noticeable with heavy web pages) its not an ipad, but good enough. You really have to know droid apps though to get the most out of it, e.g. the included PDF reader or adobe PDF reader stinks but ezPDF and you're away. Miren browser is snappier and more feature filled than stock. etc.

Exactly! If you are expecting iPad performance you won't get it. But you won't pay $500-$600 either.

Enjoy

 

[swagner53]

Yep. Price is a factor in the positive review. Predictive text in the included keyboard doesn't work. Wifi is a bit shaky sometimes. The responsive of the screen is fine but the software lags occassionally.

Quickoffice ripped from the Adam rocks. The gingerbread keyboard isgreat but crashes if you plug in an external keyboard.

See a more full review at edtchadmin.blogspot.com

 

[UBRocked]

Yep. Price is a factor in the positive review. Predictive text in the included keyboard doesn't work. Wifi is a bit shaky sometimes. The responsive of the screen is fine but the software lags occassionally.

Quickoffice ripped from the Adam rocks. The gingerbread keyboard isgreat but crashes if you plug in an external keyboard.

See a more full review at edtchadmin.blogspot.com

Thumb Keyboard is available in the market for less than $2 and IMO, it is the best keyboard option available for this tablet. Multiple keyboard layouts, multiple themes, predictive text works well and it is pretty responsive (although the first key press can be sluggish as with all keyboards I have used on this device...even the stock keyboard).

 

[Vipfreak]

But for the technically inclined who don't mind to waste a few hours tuning it, its a capable little machine.

Ouch... I wonder what the iPad is to the technically inclined then.

 

[UBRocked]

Ouch... I wonder what the iPad is to the technically inclined then.

Too expensive

 

[linuxmel]

My Archos 101 finally arrived this week. So far I am impressed, sort of. Out of the box the thing was slow. There is something wrong with Archos' implementation of the launcher. Using any other launcher (I chose launcher pro) the device speed is MUCH faster. The screen is responsive. Getting the market and other google apps installed took all of 5 minutes.

Basically it is a pretty capable tablet. I have 2 iPads in the house and this compares well to them. The sound is great. The screen is no where close to the iPad but it is usable. The glare on it sucks and I am considering an anti-glare screen protector.

It seems to have a wifi issue with some channels. The first day it was constantly dropping and I had to shut down the wifi and turn it back on every 5 minutes. This seems to have settled down and now I can stay connected.

Overall this is a nice machine. It seems relatively solid and the battery can get through the day. It recognized a USB drive with no problems and even a standard USB keyboard- just plug it in and go. For the price it is well worth it. I can't see spending twice as much for a galaxy or xoom (even though I am lusting for a wifi only Xoom).

Try getting the firmware updates for the Xoom, like we have from Archos....that is why I got the archos, because they care about making their tablet better......Verizon will put out an update, 1 every year if you are lucky

 

[bdal1]

Try rooting it and loading the urukdroid ROM.
All are available over at xda forums.
then install the lcd density changer app and change the density to about 220 or 240.
You'll be amazed at the improved look and feel. It's like having a different device, like a pimped out galaxy tab with a bigger screen.