Which one to buy ? : Archos 9 PC Tablet vs Apple IPad
Are you sure about buying Apple Ipad ? I have seen some interesting tablet which has been released recently, Archos 9. Today we will make some basic comparisons about this two tablets. and find out which one is better. Here we go.
Archos 9 PC Tablet size vs Apple IPad size
Archos 9 is 256 x 134 x 17 mm while Apple Ipad is 242.8 mm x 189.7 x 13.4 mm . Apple IPad is slimmer and wider than Archos 9. while Archos 9 is higher. This two tablet just has different screen size proportion. While Archos 9′s weight is 0.8 kg., Apple Ipad 0.68 kg. Apple Ipad is lighter !
Archos 9 PC Tablet functions vs Apple IPad functions
First of all this is Archos 9′s full specifications.
and this is Apple Ipad’s full specifications.
What do you think ? I think beside of the screen size (Ipad is bigger), the built-in webcam (with Achros 9) and the different OS types (Windows 7 for Archros 9 and ipod touch os for Apple Ipad), battery life (5 hours for Archros 7 and 10 hours for Apple Ipad) and 3G ability (for Apple Ipad), built in mouse control (Archos 9)Most of them are pretty the same – same speed processor, built-in microphone, built-in speaker, on screen keyboard, multitouch screen, office processor program supported, more application (windows 7 is supported millions of programs while Apple has an Itunes which also has a lot of apps for your Ipad).
Archos 9 PC price vs Apple IPad price
Archos 9′s price has been set to USD 549 and Apple 3G IPad price has been set as a table above. So, if you really like to use 3G Ipad you’ll have to pay at least USD 629 or if you decide to go with the minimum no 3G 16 GB model you have to pay USD 499 for Apple Ipad, a bit pricey don’t you think ?
Hmm It’s seems like the only one big question to decide about this two tablets is : Are you Mac or PC ? If you love PC, go with Archos 9, If you are MAC lover, go with Apple Ipad. Good luck !
Click here for more information about an Archos 9 price and discount.
I think it comes down to software. Hardware wise they are pretty similar:
pro iPad: 2x battery life, bigger screen, 120g lighter, 4.6mm thinner, 3G option (at a nice price and w/o contract (that’s pretty sweet right there), but only AT&T), flash storage (but much much smaller, or more $$$), capacitive touch screen (if you think that’s better).
pro Archos 9:built in web-cam, much bigger HDD (but not flash drive), resistive touch screen (if you think that’s better), cheaper than all but the base iPad.
With just the hardware specs it’s a real tossup. 3G, HDD space, web cam, lighter+thinner+bigger screen+longer battery life are all pretty compelling reasons to buy one over the other and pretty much balance out (I would personally give an edge to Apple in the hardware dept.). So naturally, it comes down to the software.
iPhone OS was built around a touch interface, and works really smoothly. I don’t know how Win7 touch version is so I can’t comment. However, no multitasking on iPhoneOS (real bummer, IMO). There is plenty of third party software available for each, obviously. All of that software was built for touch interface on iPad, not so for Win 7. However, with the exception of iWork, (I don’t know how MS Office is on the touch version) and a couple of games that were announced w/ the iPad, those apps were designed for a phone, not a the higher res higher horse power iPad. That being said, the Archos 9 has really low horse power compared to any PC, even most netbooks, for witch most of it’s software was written. And of coarse, the elephant in the room, you can only run apple approved apps on the iPad (unless you are into hacking, of course), which ultimately kills it for me, if was thinking of getting a tablet that is, which I am not.
So, my conclusion is this: while the software universe for each was created with a different scale of device in mind (or completely different input system in the case of the Archos 9) both are pretty silly devices. Whoever (Apple or Microsoft) can convince the developer community to generate the compelling software universe wins, IMO. If I was a developer, I’d say Apple has the momentum here and would spend my time developing for iPad rather than a Win7 tablet, because they seem likely to have the market share (there have been Win tablets around for a while and have never caught on). Therefore, I would guess there will be more compelling software for the iPad than the Archos 9 soon. Thus, if I was buying a tablet and didn’t mind Apple as gate keepers for my applications (I think caring about this puts me in a tiny minority), I’d go with the iPad. But doesn’t it seem kind of silly to buy either device before the software to really take advantage of such a device actually exists?
Just my $0.02, don’t take too seriously
Sometimes I am really asking myself who is ready to such a high price for an average product. I guess the style of the Ipad is worth a lot of money.
My big question/issue is the Archos has a USB port and a replicator for up to 4 with a built-in webcam……
The iPAD will most likely continue to improve on their device and the software apps. will most likely fill in the gaps of the lack of multi-tasking….
The main things i’m looking to do are:
* use it as a book reader (i assume both do that)
* wlan connection (ipad w.N, archos w, B,G)
* ipad has hsdpa, archos can teather = same
* I would 100% like to confirm that both can access webinars over the internet and onlne training courses…..I know most of those classes are based on flash and as I understand, the iPAD does not support flash, so am I just out of luck with that?
* * Can you somehow plug in a usb port into the device?
* both have hardly NO hard drive space, do you have to pay extra for online storage (cloud)
I’m hoping to find some help so i can make this decision…the ipad is beautiful and it’s only going to improve…the archos is great now aside from the ION processer..
** the most important thing i need to do is have the ability to stream video from my NAS server and watch movies in 480p720p/1080p without clipping, packet loss, or degratation..
any insight anyone?
PC is personal computer. your lookin at PT,Pesonal Tablet
Archos can get 3g because it has a USB port, you can connect a USB stick 3g, the port replicator will give you more usb, so you could use keyboards, hard drives, etc…
I think I’d go with archos 9 because it has full flash and much more
If I was in market for a TABLET I would choose the archos of the two, for the simple facts of: sd storage / USB port. / price to spec configuration. I like both, but hate the limits mr jobs has instilled in the ipad, or the required added cost of adapters that should be included at such a high price point. Really a huge iTunes market appliance, that’s all. No flash support, the internet and flash are critical in this dept, I dont want or like limits, just because mr. Jobs has a temper with Adobe.
I read the reviews and then chose to buy an Archos 9 as my traveling system in place of my laptop. I spend 4 weeks away from home but was still able to give tech support to my replacement IT specialist. Everything I usually did from my PC I was able to do using the Archos 9 without a problem including edit pictures and videos,and burn them to DVD (external writer). Unlike the ipad I had the choice of using an ext. mouse (or keyboard).
As far as Windows apps. and the touch screen is concern – absolutely no problem. By the way, my version has a 1.2 Atom and not the original 1.1 as noted in a previous review.
Bottom line – if you don’t want to travel with a laptop but still have to work like I did, the Archos, being able to run all available Windows apps. is by far a better choice. Of course persons who are more into gaming and watch videos may have a different view. From my end, I also watched videos online without a problem using both headphone and ext. speakers as well as the built-in speakers.
Additional info:
I connected the Archos 9 to both my home and work network using wireless without a problem and can print on both networks. I also used a multi-media projector to teach a class using the Archos 9 with no restrictions at all.
All the above reasons to get the Archos plus I can get Internet access using my iPhone as a router while traveling. I can access flash enabled websites just as a normal PC could. I could transfer media by simply using the usb port or via the network sharing. The only thing I’d wish the archos would have is the tilt sensor for hor/vert switching.