Archos 70B Internet Tablet – 1.2GHz processor device under $200

Published in: News, Tablets on February 20, 2012 by Daniel Iuhasz

If you have been following TipsAvenue lately then you probably know that the ZTE Optik is one of the cheapest tablets out there, provided the fact that you want a 2-year contract with Sprint. Well, for those of you how don’t want to be tied to a mobile network operator, we have the Archos 70B Internet Tablet which comes at under $200, just like the Kindle Fire. While we like the price a lot, we’ll have to ask ourselves: what does it have to offer?

Specs:

  • Screen: 7.0 inch TFT panel with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels
  • CPU: 1.2GHz dual-core processor
  • Memory: 512MB of RAM
  • Storage space: 8GB
  • Cameras: front-facing 0.3 megapixel camera
  • Wi-Fi: Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth: Yes, version 2.1+EDR
  • 3G Connectivity: No
  • 4G Connectivity: No
  • Operating System: Android 3.2 (presumed)
  • Ports: micro USB, micro HDMI, USB host and micro SD card slot
  • Extras:

Archos 70B Internet Tabler FrontLooking at the exterior of the device, you will see that Archos has not really compromised the build quality of this device for a lower price. You will get a high-quality plastic shell with a metal frame inside that is said to add extra protection to the tablet. While this doesn’t actually have the strength of a metal casing, it provides the Archos 70B Internet Tablet with added shock protection. On the front you will have two stereo speakers on the left and the right of the display as well as a front-facing camera. Turn the tablet around and you will see the same integrated kick-stand we have seen on the Archos 70 which is a very nice feature to have when you want to enjoy a movie.

The 7.0 inch TFT LCD display that comes on the Archos 70B has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, less than the 2012 tablets that we have seen at CES this year. If you plan to get this tablet for on the road, then you should probably know from the start that you get some pretty ugly glare in direct sunlight. Furthermore, viewing angles are also not great, requiring you to keep the tablet right in front of you to get a clear image. I would also recommend acquiring a screen shield for this device just to be sure.

In terms of performance, we are really impressed to see an ARM Cortex A8 CPU which runs at a speed of 1.2GHz, making the tablet pretty responsive. RAM could have been better, as we only get 512MB of memory on the Archos 70B, but overall this combination will manage to cope with games, movies and apps as long as you don’t stress it too much. After all, it’s an Internet Tablet and not a gaming device.

Archos 70B Internet Tabler Lateral with StandAs for storage, the Archos 70B will give you 8GB of NAND storage which can be expanded to 32GB with the help of a micro SD card. It’s not great, but decent. Unfortunately we’ll probably have to deal with the 8GB version because Archos doesn’t seem to announce a 16GB upgrade in the future.

What you’ll really like on the Archos 70B is the selection of ports they have added on this tablet. You will have a micro USB port to connect the tablet to a computer, a micro HDMI port for streaming HD 1080p video on an external monitor and the full-size USB connector that enables you to easily share data on flash drives.

The Archos 70B IT is the upgraded version of the Archos 70 which is advertized as being the first tablet under $200 to run Android 3.2. It will indeed be a Google Android certified device with access to the official Android Market, so you don’t have to worry about getting apps for this 7 inch device.

All in all, the Archos 70B Internet Tablet seems as a good tablet under $200 and will surely make a buzz once it starts selling this month. As a personal opinion, I liked the fast CPU, high number of ports and the overall great browsing experience, but the 70B falls a bit short in terms of screen quality.

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  • Callie

    I don’t get it..what’s the difference between the Archos 70B and 70D? When I switch from Archos Germany to archos US it defaults me from the 70B to 70D. Are they similar?

    • Daniel

      Callie,

      The Arcos 70B is an Internet Tablet. This means that it is optimized for browsing the web, enjoying media content, playing some games. It’s not the most powerful tablet on the market though, but it’s pretty cheap and worth looking at.

      On the other hand, the Archos 70D is an E-Book reader. It comes with less storage space and a less powerful CPU. The screen is optimized for reading and you don’t have a touchscreen, only some buttons to navigate around.

      My 2 Cents are that Archos has done a bad job at naming their products. It’s very confusing to know which one is which if the have the same numbering system.

      Daniel.