Take a closer look at the Archos 101, an inexpensive Android tablet from Archos.
Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
The Archos 101 is the 10-inch tablet Android needed in 2010. Thin, light, and affordably priced at $299 (8GB) and $399 (16GB), the Archos 101 is the first decent presentation of Android 2.2 we've seen on an iPad-size screen.
The Archos 101 is one of few Android 2.2 tablets with a large 10.1-inch screen. Extras such as a front-facing camera, Mini-HDMI output, USB host and sync ports, and microSD memory expansion are impressive considering the tablet's low price.
A kickstand is also included, located on the back. The stand folds out from the middle, far enough to prop up the tablet at a 30-degree angle, which helps with touch-screen typing, but can also be used to keep the tablet upright for videos or a photo slideshow.
You get standard sockets for headphones, a power adapter, and a Micro-USB port for syncing to a computer. Archos also throws in a Mini-HDMI port for output to a TV and a standard USB host port for connecting an external keyboard or thumbdrive.
The first thing we noticed about the Archos 101 is how light it is. At around 16 ounces, it weighs about as much as a pint of beer and is noticeably lighter than the iPad. How Archos was able to achieve this light weight is no mystery, though. Instead of the aluminum-and-glass construction of the iPad, the Archos design is mostly plastic and bends under pressure. Granted, tablets are fairly fragile devices inherently, but the 101 wins no points for ruggedness.
