Another option in the ~200 dollar Android tablets

[Bateluer]

http://an.droid-life.com/2011/12/20/archos-70b-delivers-honeycomb-for-only-200/

Move over Kindle Fire, ARCHOS has unveiled their latest budget-friendly tablet, the 70b. The $200 tablet features a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB of storage, 512MB of RAM and a 1024 x 600 7-inch display. The device also supports HDMI output, a microSD slot, and WiFi connectivity.

Pretty sure you won't be modding the Archos tablet either, they usually lock them down fiercely. And Archos never gets much love, something about their poor screens and lower build quality, but I've never owned one myself.

Similar specs to the Fire, but with an sd card slot and HDMI. Any takers?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Can't find the words "dual-core" anywhere, which makes this a certain step down from the Fire.

 

[upsdriver]

Can't find the words "dual-core" anywhere, which makes this a certain step down from the Fire.

User experience matters more than the number of cores it has. The HTC Flyer/View has one core and offers a smoother experience than the Fire. Too early to say how it compares to the Fire.

 

[poofyhairguy]

User experience matters more than the number of cores it has.

On Android CPU power is almost directly related to interface responsiveness.

Especially when you consider that Dual-Core SoCs are faster clock-per-clock than older single core SoCs, then this tablet is half as fast as a Kindle Fire at best.

The HTC Flyer/View has one core and offers a smoother experience than the Fire.

I don't like how you state that as fact. Put CM (or heck even just an alternative launcher and Opera Mobile) on a Fire and it will run rings around any single-core device.

Sure the default interface for a Fire is slow crap, but that is the software's fault not the hardware's fault.

Unless you need the HDMI out (which given how crappy single core SoCs decode HD h264 video I don't know why you would), the Fire gives you more hardware for the money.

 

[upsdriver]

On Android CPU power is almost directly related to interface responsiveness.

Sure the default interface for a Fire is slow crap, but that is the software's fault not the hardware's fault.

Yes, UI responsiveness is a function of both hardware and software, not solely on the number of cores it has, which you implied in your original post.

Especially when you consider that Dual-Core SoCs are faster clock-per-clock than older single core SoCs, then this tablet is half as fast as a Kindle Fire at best.

In benchmarks, maybe it'll be half as fast. In real world performance, the difference may be negligible. Without seeing it in action, I don't know for sure. And neither do you.

CM on a dual core or single core? Easy answer there. But most consumers don't buy tablets so they can install a custom rom. The majority is just looking for a good out of the box experience.

 

[Bateluer]

No idea what Archos will use in this, didn't see the CPU when I posted the link. The previous Archos 70 tablets have used OMAP3 SoCs. The Archos 80 G9 used an OMAP4. Precedent for both, but I don't think there will be much of a market for a single core HC tablet, even at 200 dollars. Even if its completely open, I don't see it getting much traction.

 

[poofyhairguy]

In benchmarks, maybe it'll be half as fast. In real world performance, the difference may be negligible. Without seeing it in action, I don't know for sure. And neither do you.

CM on a dual core or single core? Easy answer there. But most consumers don't buy tablets so they can install a custom rom. The majority is just looking for a good out of the box experience.

Yeah, I was more speaking for myself rather than regular consumers. As far as pure hardware value is concerned, the dual-core at $200 wins. I would CM it all if I could.

For regular consumers I would say the Fire still wins, but not because of its SoC, its GUI, or its responsiveness. Amazon is one of the most trusted brands out there, Archos not-so-much.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I wouldn't touch an Arcos device with a 10 foot pole until I'd read a bunch of reviews and used one myself in a store.