Archos 7" 250GB Internet Tablet

About the Archos 70 250gb HD model -- I understand that many people are wary of the 250gb internal HD, and this is perfectly understandable, for I was as well. First of all, no one can deny the fact that an internal hard drive is going to use more power than the flash based models. Secondly, once again there's no denying that the HD based model is going to be significantly heavier, and that means harder to hold in one hand for an extended period of time. Thirdly, one must be concerned about banging or bumping the tablet around for fear of damaging the drive, moreso than the flash based units. Yes, these are all valid concerns and they are very real. Yes the drive is power hungry. Yes the tablet makes my hand and arm ache if I hold it too long in one hand. And yes I am much more careful about banging or bumping the tablet around when using, storing, or transporting it. However, I would like to say some good things about the unit: 1. The HD only runs so often, for example when downloading an app or a file, or when accessing files on the drive. I watched several Netflix movies without the HD turning on once (You can feel the unit vibrating slightly and hear a faint purr when the HD is running). As far as web surfing, I'm not sure what the unit's policy is for using the HD. There have definitely been periods when I can surf w/o the drive running, but there have also been times when it seems to activate for short periods while I'm browsing. 2. There are ways to save power. First of all, I have the screen brightness turned all the way down (yet the screen is still easy to see, even in ambient daylight). Secondly, with the latest firmware update (at this time Archos version 2.3.26, a version of Android 2.2.1 or Froyo), you can set the maximum CPU speed to Overdrive (100% or 1ghz), Optimal (80% or 800mhz), or Powersave, which I am spitballing is somewhere around 60 or 70 percent (Go to Settings -> About Device -> Power Management). Also, I use the free version of Advanced Task Killer to close any unnecessary apps that I suspect might put a heavy load on the CPU or which might activate the HD. And I use headphones when convenient instead of cranking up the tablet's speakers. 3. Screen: Awsome. The capacitive touch-screen is super sensitive, responsive, and accurate. I've been typing this whole review on the A70 and very very rarely do I get a misfire. Of course I'm typing in landscape, and I can't vouch for portrait typing because I do very little of that. Also, swiping and scrolling are a breeze. Rarely do I accidentally 'click' something that I didn't mean to when trying to scroll or swipe. And the screen is as smooth as glass, which makes swiping and scrolling all the easier. Although I've heard complaints about it, I don't find the reflectiveness of the screen a problem. Al contraire, I think it makes the tablet look professional and well built. Yes, it is a fingerprint magnet, but you can only see the prints on the screen if you tilt the tablet so far that the screen washes out or if you turn the unit off (The bezel, however, depending on the lighting, does at times show quite a bit of fingerprinting even when the screen is viewable). I'd also like to say that 'clicking' links, even when they are very small, is amazingly easy, and rarely do I ever 'click' a link above, below, or next to the one I aimed for (and I mean with my finger, not a stylus--which I don't have for the A70 because I don't need one). Although I've heard people complaining about the viewing angle of the 10 inch A101, the viewing angle on the A70 is quite generous, in my opinion. I can tilt the unit naybe 35 or 40 degrees before the screen really staets to wash out. 4. Some general observations: Processor is fast and responsive. Operating system is for all matters bug-free. Yes,the Android Market app is absent, however Archos has their own Android Market called the AppsLib, and besides there is a hacked app out there for All Archos generation 8 devices (28, 32, 43, 70, and 101) with Google Apps including the official Android Market app. Screen resolution (800x480) is, although arguably on the lower end of the spectrum, just fine. Never have I found myself either wishing the resolution was higher or even noticing that it isn't. Everything looks absolutely fine on the A70's screen. Front facing stereo speakers give as good sound as one could expect from a tablet's native speakers. Forward facing webcam doesn't make taking pictures or videos of anything but myself easy, however it does great at what it was designed to be--a forward facing webcam. Unit's casing is in my opinion sturdy. Screen seems as solid as glass. 5. One last observation: I think my A43-16gb has 256mb or so of RAM and another 256mb or so of "system storage" (Correct me if I'm wrong). I believe the A70 that comes with 8gb of flash memory (rather than the 250gb HD) has the same setup as the A43. However, this unit (the A70-250gb), unlike ALL other Archos generation 8 devices, comes with a whopping 1.5gb or so of system storage (although it has the standard 256mb of RAM). The way I understand it, the system storage is where the apps are installed as well as the operating system files. So if I'm correct so far, you can put about 6 times the apps on this (the A70-250gb) as you can on any other Archos generation 8 device. Last but not least, yes, there is no MicroSD slot (as with the A70-8gb) and no full size USB slot (as with the A101), but you can hook up most any USB storage device via the micro USB port give the right adapter. And, the real kicker: Two hundred and fifty gigabytes of internal storage! Conclusion: The A70-250gb is a little heavier than the 8gb model, and it probably does go through a charge a little quicker, and you might not want to strap it to your belt when you go out for a jog, but it's a fine tablet in my opinion. Archos, despite any bad press, is in my opinion a top-notch manufacturer when you consider their prices. Their operating system is solid as a rock, their processors are fast and efficient, and their tablets are the best value in town. The A70-250gb is no exception.