Gadgets

Archos 70 unboxed, in the flesh!

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief December 7, 2010 · 2 min read

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So we got the most popular variant of the Archos Android tablets this year, the Archos 70. There’s a limited number of units available locally and release has been delayed twice but the local Archos distributor was able to get us a review unit.

Having tried the bigger Archos 101, I must admit that the Archos 70 looks sleeker, thinner (much thinner than the Galaxy Tab or the Cherry Mobile Superion) and lighter. I think it’s just the right size for an internet tablet.

Archos A70 Internet Tablet
7â€³ display @ 800Ã—480 pixel capacitive screen
1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU
720p HD video playback
VGA camera
HDMI, USB ports
8GB Flash or 250GB HDD model
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
Archos 70 250GB price: Php16,990
Archos 70 8GB price: Php15,490

There’s been a huge demand for these tablets that delays in shipments are due to lack of supply. I am told that Europe got the first shipments and that units there are still in short supply. Units were initially slated to arrive in the Philippines back in November but was pushed back to December.

The only available units ready for this month would be the 8GB Archos 70 while the 250GB variant will be available by January. The retail price of Php15,490 still applies.

The device still runs on Android 2.1 Eclair but should be ready for upgrade to Froyo now (just checked firmware update to 2.0.54 is up). Although update is available via OTA, Archos recommends downloading the full update to a PC and then transfer via USB before upgrading. Will post my full review of the Archos 70 soon.

What are the key specifications of the Archos 70?

The Archos 70 has a 7-inch 800x480 capacitive screen, 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU, VGA camera, HDMI and USB ports, and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n.

What are the prices for the Archos 70 models?

The 250GB model costs Php16,990, and the 8GB model costs Php15,490.

When will the 250GB Archos 70 be available in the Philippines?

The 250GB variant will be available by January, while the 8GB model is available in December.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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156 Comments

allan · 16 years ago

ask ko lang kung pwede ba mag yahoo messenger dito? at supported ang video calling? nag hahanap kasi ako ng gadget e. thnx

Psionics · 16 years ago

Thanks for the answer bro :) looking forward on your feedback when you tried one

DJ Alyaris · 16 years ago

@Psionics MIDs are really sold at a relatively good price. Saw some in Quiapo, though those are not really good looking nor fast or durable either. Still have to try the one you just found sir. Though, a Rockship chipset is not really a good processor. Qualcomms are still the generic for good processors IMO.

Psionics · 16 years ago

was wondering what to buy now… There’s also this Miu Miu device that runs on android 2.1 and has a pretty nice . available at SM North Main Bldg. 4th floor near the CR. It has a china Rockship RK2818 chipset, supports 720p videos, 256 MB RAM(boing!) and 8GB on-board storage. I’ve tried it and its not bad for a Php 7,900 MID with decent speed(unlike those epads ^^). Was wondering if you have any infos with this bro?

neiru · 16 years ago

hanggang kelan kaya yung booth sa activity center? wala pa akong pera ngayon eh.. T.T

meron bang store na nagbebenta non na talagang store? ung hindi booth lang? ung matagal tagal bago sila mawala..

Ozzy · 16 years ago

ay sorry, Archos 7 lang pala yung nakita ko

Ozzy · 16 years ago

Tama ba yung nakita ko sa isang mall kahapon? Arcos 70 binebenta for just P10K?! Chineck ko ng mabuti, Archos 70 naman talaga!

geri · 16 years ago

18-19k yata not so sure,until dec 12,last tues meron pa cla 3 stocks

Aaron · 16 years ago

@geri

sir do you have the contact number of willman? i’m planning to inquire kasi if they still have stocks and if they do accept citibank mastercard. pls. thanks.

Miyer · 16 years ago

Magkano po kaya yung 10 inch version sa Glorietta? Up to when ba yung BPI Madness Sale?

geri · 16 years ago

@aaron
cash 15k,card 12 mons 16788.sa bpi madness sale at glorieta activity center look for willman computer booth.meron sila 7 and 10 inch version.

jumi · 16 years ago

dito. isa ako sa mga naunang nagpareserve kaya 15490 lang kuha ko, sa iba 15990 na benta nila.. nagkita kami sa glorietta para kunin yung item.

V-TECH VENTURES

Tel: 632 861 0020 / 63 917 6ARCHOS

Address: UNIT 23 MIRACLE BUILDING,2152 CHINO ROCES ST. MAKATI CITY. PHILIPPINES.

Email: in****@archosph.com

Website: archosph.com

Aaron · 16 years ago

@jumi:

sang store ka nakabili ng a70? how much kuha mo?

jumi · 16 years ago

hehehe, kuha ko na ang aking a70 8Gb. ok na ok!
already upgraded it to froyo! yeah!

meron ngang 250Gb pero HDD sya. dami sana mailalagay. 250 GB! mas malaki pa sa laptop ko! kaso takot ako sa pagiging HDD nya. bka mas mainit at matakaw kumain ng battery. at onting bagsak while using th e device e bye bye na.

nasa 300mb nga lang ang pwede installan, pero ang froyo kaya nang mag-install sa SD card. ngayon wla pa ako SD card (naghahanap pa ang 8g or 16g sa market), but i was able to transfer some of my installed apps sa partition na pang media files. (using apps2sd).

Hajile · 16 years ago

@zeicht
Actually, the A70 can support them too. But needs a micro to full USB adapter, which Archos has neglected to include in the box.

zeicht · 16 years ago

@geri

how much is willman selling the unit? is it the 8GB model? are they also selling the 101?

I believe the 101 can be used with HDD’s with the standard sized USB host but the 70 can’t since it doesnt have a standard sized usb host…

Aaron · 16 years ago

@sir geri:

willman po ba or villman? im not familiar with the store po eh. i’m planning to purchase an a70, kaya lang nahihirapan ako maghanap kung san meron.

Aaron · 16 years ago

@geri:
saan po sa glorieta merong available na archos?

Edmund69 · 16 years ago

Is there really possibility that the archos 70 250GB be available here in the philippines, because the price difference between 8Gb & 250GB is just P1,500+, some people may forget the 8GB version once the 250GB version arrive.

Chu · 16 years ago

@geri how much is it sir? I want to get one as well.

Tristan Khalil Singkala · 16 years ago

Whew! I can’t wait for your review on the unit, Sir Abe.

What to expect on year 2011?

Epic War of Handheld Tablets!

xtian1986 · 16 years ago

trip ko pa rin yung 101.

geri · 16 years ago

bougt my archos yesterday .few units left at willman in glorieta activity center.

geri · 16 years ago

bougt my archos yesterday .few units left at willman in glorieata activity center.

Hajile · 16 years ago

Oh yeah forgot. The a101 fully supports external harddrives, the a70 will also work but the devices will have to get their power from somewhere else.

Arvee · 16 years ago

External HDDs work on Archos as long as it’s self-powered.

Hajile · 16 years ago

@edmund69
External HDD’s work. I’ve attached both my CDRKing 2.5″ USB case, and my WD 320Gig Passport to my A101, which is the same as the A70.

You cannot charge via USB

Arvee · 16 years ago

@nexusboy DELL STREAK, oh yes!

Anyway, baligtad naman ako. Nung nalaman ko from @Aaron na may Huawei S7, saka ako nagdalawang isip sa pagbili ng Archos 70! hahaha.

Aaron · 16 years ago

@wilde:

when did you place your order? was there a reservation fee? if yes, how much?

i’ve decided to get this one, i won’t wait for the s7 anymore. :)

Aaron · 16 years ago

i was looking forward for the release of huawei s7 android tablet but then i found out about archos 70. now im really torn apart.

which is better, huawei s7 or archos 70? should i just wait for huawei s7 to be available in the phils or should i go for archos 70? help.

Macreeve · 16 years ago

@RJCA

Yes it can, along with other formats

See link for specifications:

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8960/a70copy.jpg

Specifications for other Archos products:

http://cyberexchange.multiply.com/tag/android

wilde · 16 years ago

I made a pre-order. The 250gb should’ve been sweet, but alas after two delays, wala pa rin…

Sayang.

islacom pilipinas · 16 years ago

Where to buy:

V-TECH VENTURES

Tel: 632 861 0020 / 63 917 6ARCHOS

Address: UNIT 23 MIRACLE BUILDING,2152 CHINO ROCES ST. MAKATI CITY. PHILIPPINES.

Email: in****@archosph.com

Website: archosph.com

islacom pilipinas · 16 years ago

No, Globe Tattoo USB Modem won’t work, that goes the same with smart, sun and wi-tribe

No the external HDD also won’t work

The USB is use for charging and transfering of files

***********************************************

I would like to see photos of the 250GB version if it is still as slim as the 8gb model..

Edmund69 · 16 years ago

two questions… can the usb port of the Archos 70
1 – use for modem like globe tattoo, etc.
2 – use for portable hard drive to read my favorite movies..

Thanks

RJCA · 16 years ago

Sorry for the stupid question but I just haven’t been up to date with Android in general, can this play Xvid videos?

If yes the 250GB one seems great for on the go video watching.

Jon · 16 years ago

@Nineswordz

Well, it is for more storage for media like videos, music, etc.

I’m not sure if there are hacks (app2sd or similar) that work on this device. I think Froyo partially solves this problem I suppose, but the app must be compatible with this feature with Froyo.

NineSwordz · 16 years ago

@jon

i see.. if that’s the case, then that’s really a problem. well if that 300mb is for apps, and the remaining storage (7.7gb) is for media – pics, videos, etc.. what’s the use of microSD then? =(

nexusboy · 16 years ago

i hope you can obtain a Dell Streak sir abe. :)

Jon · 16 years ago

@Nineswordzzzzzz

Sorry dude, but according to the archos forum, not all of that 8gb can be used for app storage. I think just a few hundred MBs (300mb i think) are available for apps. The rest is for storage of media (pics, videos, etc).

mary · 16 years ago

Wow… may point ka NineSwordz. :)

NineSwordz · 16 years ago

For me, I think the 8gb is enough for applications. You don’t need to put your files, music and movies into the ssd rom. There’s no difference in speed AFTER you loaded them I think.. frame rate improvement? sound quality boost? nah.. The important part is that the ssd rom is for your APPS only.

Nag-tyaga nga tayo sa mga 8gb ng iDevices eh, na magkakasama lahat ng music, movies and apps.. jan pa kaya? =P

chris · 16 years ago

Sir abe, Where do you buy these gadgets? Ang hirap maghanap ng tablet. Lagi nalang ipad nakikita ko.

Jucato · 16 years ago

I would have actually preferred an Archos 70 over a Galaxy Tab except for 3 things (in order):

1. Most important: Local service/support/warranty. I don’t think Archos has any local service centers, unlike Samsung. So if something bad happens, you’re left to 3rd parties.

2. Screen size: 1024×600 would have been the best resolution for this device, as it would have a higher DPI/PPI, and therefore better for reading.

3. Least important: The HDD variant is worrisome because of moving parts. The 8GB SDD is a bit too small compared to its contemporaries.

But one can only cram so much features into a Php 16k device. Something has to give. Unfortunately for me, #1 and #2 are the top problems. But then again, I can’t afford a Tab either. Will wait for more options. :)

NineSwordz · 16 years ago

Alright! Thanks sir yuga. Will definitely wait for the full review here.

YuYu · 16 years ago

i see. thanks so much.

now i’m really torn between getting a Galaxy Tab, a Galaxy S, a WP7, or this tab + some cheap froyo phone. :S

JKisaragi · 16 years ago

Looking forward to your review Sir. I especially want to check out its battery life. :)

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@yuyu – yes, weight and thickness. The specs I believe can handle 2.3

Jon · 16 years ago

Tsk. Still short on stocks, that kinda sucks. I have to agree. It looks like the best Android tablet so far. I just don’t know why they released an 8gb model instead of 16gb. I mean, there are smaller Archos devices that have 16gb version. Even though you could add more storage via the microSD slot, people who prefer flash storage over the hard drive version may find 8gb to be very small.