With the latest Google Galaxy Nexus 7, they set a trend for good quality yet very low priced android tablets. Many other manufactures try to compete in this market in near future with tablets with competitive price. After Nexus 7, the next low cost tablet you will be able to find in the market is Archos 97 Carbon.
Quick Catch-up
- Google Nexus 7 – Unwrapping Android Jelly Bean
I believe that most of the Android tablet’s hardware is over upgraded and, today we are suffering its consequences such as overheating and poor battery life. With latest version of Android they are trying to optimize the OS core rather than increasing the hardware muscle to achieve optimum performance level. Archos 97 Carbon is setting a positive trend for average level android tablets in the market and today it’s under NOG spotlight.
Device Configuration
Processor and Storage
Device is powered with Single Core 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor. Details about the chipset and GPU are not stated in the official website. RAM is 1 GB and internal storage is 16 GB. If you want more space there is a microSDHC card slot support up to 32 GB.
Operating System
Archos 97 Carbon is packed with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. If you take a closer look in to the UI you will be able to find minor tweaking such as on screen volume controller. Other than that it’s stock android which I consider as a plus point. You will be able to enjoy all the standard options in android ICS.
Display
Display is 9.7 inch IPS panel having 1024 x 768 pixels which gives you 131 ppi pixel density. Capacitive multi touch sensor is capable of identifying up to five fingers.
Connectivity and Interfaces
Device comes with most of basic connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 and mini HDMI port. However there are no signs of Bluetooth connectivity. GSM and HSDPA radio is also removed as a cost cutting strategy. If you like to enjoy music with your headphone there is a 3.5 mm audio out.
Camera
Primary camera is 2 MP one which is capable of capturing stills and videos. There is a front facing VGA camera for video conferencing. There is no LED flash to shoot in dark and again a result of cost reducing.
Battery Life
Archos 97 Carbon is having Lithium polymer battery which can power up the device for 8 hours when you are enjoying videos and it goes up to 20 hours if it’s only audio playback.
Wrapping Up
After looking at the specification you might say this device is old school. But this is the hardware specification in iPad 2 which is one of the most used tablets even today. Due to the performance bottlenecks in previous version of Android they could not utilize this sort of hardware. That’s why manufactures continue to introduce dual core and quad core tablets and they came with big price tags.
On Archos 97 carbon you will be able to do most of the day to day work such as eBook reading, web browsing, social media and multimedia playback. It comes with a great price tag too. Once it comes to the market for this 9.7 inch tablet, you have to pay only $249.99. If you can upgrade the device to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean it would work great as iPad 2 or may be better.
Tags: #Android #Tablet