An Android Tablet or PCTablet

I would be looking to lay down some serious cash if a tablet PC would be able to replace the everyday functions of your average laptop. Alas I will have to wait at least a few more months (possibly years) until one becomes available and even then its not for certain that it will actually do a good enough job to replace my venerable laptop in any way. Android is currently the best option for a mobile OS but I would settle for Windows 7.

For my tablet project (on hold) I wanted most of these options:

CORE GOALS:

-Cost to build < $600

-1-2 gigabytes RAM (400MHz min.)

-Dual core (1.2 – 2GHz)

-3-10 hour battery life; 9-15 on power save; far longer on standby

-Touchscreen approx. 10”-15”(smaller if second screen is used)

-Windows 7 or Xp capable (Android, Origami, Linux Distro, Android)

-Dim. Max(1.5in X 16in X 10in)

-Internal harddrive min. 10gb

-3.5mm headphone jack

-External buttons; Volume +/-, Power, Directional pad, Screen brightness,

OTHER GOALS:

-HD Video (720p+) capable

-Bluetooth

-Windows Sideshow (Alt. Screen approx. 3-5inch; Music Playback, Power Saving Mode)

-Custom Add-ons (if custom OS is implemented)

-Firefox Browser

-Built in Email client

-DivX and Xvid Support (Additional codecs)

-Flash (Game support)

-20-250gb hard drive

-Support for additional input devices (Pen stylus, USB Mouse/Keyboard,)

-Internal mic

-Built in webcam

-Screen protection

-Built in speaker (Dual)

-DVD Drive

-Docking station to integrate into home theater

-Internal Flash drive (Sideshow)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION – HARDWARE (Preliminary Subject to change)

An Internet Media Tablet similar to a Netbook with the exception of a full size 10in -15in touchscreen and possible Bluetooth. Size would be about the length and width of a typical laptop screen of 15in with slightly greater height(optimally). The tablet would double as a digital media and home computer as well as a portable office with excellent business functionality due to the stylus compatibility and Bluetooth and Wifi connection as well as the size being near a clipboard (thickness should be under that of a typical laptop and optimally come near the Macbook Air) and could be easily stored in a briefcase or binder. Battery life would be a major priority and if a secondary screen is possible the battery life could be far extended for music and picture viewing by keeping the device in a low power mode the device could be used as an Mp3 or PMP device (This functionality would be greatly increased if bluetooth could be used to play audio even in low power mode) if the low power mode could be implemented the device would conserve power by having the majority of its higher functions disabled (Such as Wifi and the main screen as well as limiting processor and RAM power to the level needed to play music and use the secondary screen; SEE WINDOWS SIDESHOW FOR SIMILAR EXAMPLE)

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Tablets: a summary. Courier/Crunchpad/Archos 9/Apple tablet

So many new Tablet PC’s!! Here is a brief summation for the less informed.

1. The Microsoft Courier was officially confirmed although details are still difficult to come by you can watch this video of a possible prototype.The this is the most recognized version of Courier; a dual screen-multitouch-notebook-with no physical keyboard attached (though I am sure there will be a Bluetooth add-on or USB at the least) this is one of several tablets that have been announced the first of which to be released was the Archos 9 tablet which was apparently launched on Oct 22, 2009 but at this point is still very much an unknown due to the lack of purchase options anywhere (including the Archos website..). The tablet does run Windows 7 Basic so it could be considered a Microsoft tablet too. Of note is the patent Microsoft took out on a virtual keyboard that could be launched from anywhere on the screen just by placing your hands on the screen.
2. The Apple tablet is the most anticipated product on the web at this point probably owing to the fanatical devotion of Apple fans(no offence) and because Apple releases quality products. Its slated for release in 2010 (slated get it?).
3. Next up is my personal favourite and underdog the Crunchpad; it is different from the others so far because it lacks a true OS instead it will rely almost entirely on the internet- booting straight into the cloud instead. I am not entirely sure if it has a confirmed release day but last I heard the rumour was for the Christmas season this year (2009) its also because it seems to me that it was a personal idea of Michael Arrington the administrator and owner of TechCrunch.com without the backing of any huge corporation behind him.

These are by no means the first touch computers that lack a virtual keyboard there are several companies that produce Slate and Tablet PC’s and have for years, these instead represent the possible revitalization of the tablet industry with current technology that may make a tablet PC a viable portable computing solution even an alternative to the old laptop. Most of these will only sell if they are sold for less than $400-500 because of their limited use for gaming and other high performance applications – they are not meant to replace your quad-core gaming rig in anyway, some are closer to eBook readers.

You can follow my personal channel on twitter @suavelizard or my technology stream @PrecientTech

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Archos 9 Windows 7 PCTablet Launch Fail

Archos recently announced the Archos 9 PCTablet  a fully touchscreen device that would run Windows 7 Basic (Premium without Aero).  I for one was quite interested in the tablet as I had a great experience with the original 60Gb Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet which I’m sorry to say I traded for an Acer Aspire One. Before Archos announced the Archos 9 I was gearing up to buy the latest version of the Archos 5 which runs Google Android and has several hardware updates from its predecessor. I figured upon hearing the announcements that I would hold off to see what reviews the new flagship product got.

However the confirmed launch date for the Archos 9 Tablet was  October 22, 2009 which came and went 4 days ago with no new  news on the major review sites. I went looking for myself to see if I could order one but the Archos website lists the Tablet as “coming soon” you CANNOT purchase it yet – at least not from http://www.Archos.com/store I waited for a day or two more then decided that if Archos couldn’t get its product launched properly I would wait for the Crunchpad or Microsoft Courier instead – especially considering the rather large price tag on the thing ($499 US!) it is a little pricey considering it has the same specs as a $300 dollar netbook(I’ve seen the Archos 9 called a “Netblet”) but for the sake of being the only Windows 7 tablet I was willing to give it a try and it does have Wifi/Bluetooth/Webcam/9 inch Screen.

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Archos 9 Specifications

Tech Specs

PROCESSOR
Intel ATOM Z510 1.1 GHz

DISPLAY
8.9” LED backlight
1024×600 pixels
Resistive touch screen
Video chipset: Intel Poulsbo US15W

OPERATING SYSTEM
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Starter Edition

SYSTEM MEMORY
1GB onboard (DDR2 SDRAM 400)

HARD DRIVE
HDD 60GB (1.8”)

COMMUNICATION
WiFi: PCI-E interface, 1 antenna, support IEEE 802.11b/g
Ethernet: 10/100 Mb/s Ethernet Controller (via port replicator)
Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR compliant)

AUDIO
Audio card : Realtek ALC269
2 built-in stereo speakers
Built-in microphone

PORTS
USB 2.0 port (2 additional ports via port replicator)
DC-IN jack
3.5” audio output (1 additional output via port replicator)
Microphone input (via port replicator)
Ethernet port (via port replicator)

MOUSE NAVIGATION
Optical finger navigation system (trackpoint)
Left and right mouse buttons

POWER SOURCE
Internal: removable Lithium Polymer battery
External: Power adapter/charger

BATTERY LIFE
Approx. 5h

MISCELLANEOUS
Integrated 1.3MP webcam
Built-in leg stand (2 positions)

DIMENSIONS
256 x 134 x 17 mm

WEIGHT
800 grams

PACKAGE INCLUDES
ARCHOS 9, removable battery, stylus, AC adapter with power cord, user guide, legal and safety notice

Included Software

Type
Nom
Description

Antivirus/Antispyware
Microsoft Security Essentials⁵
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Office Productivity

Lotus Symphony
Easily create and edit all your documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Web TV and radio player

vTuner
Access to over 11.000 radio and TV stations broadcasting over the Internet.

Email manager & Chat

Windows Live^™
Manage all your email accounts and chat instantly.

¹ Optimized for videos in H264 HP 1080p
² 1GB= 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less.
³ Online storage space. Requires a free Windows Live account. More information on www.windowslive.com/skydrive
⁴ Requires compatible wireless access point(s)
⁵ Installation files to be downloaded

Archos 5 Android Specifications

Tech Specs

Capacity
• Flash Memory: 8 to 32 GB* + Micro SD Slot (SDHC compatible)
• Hard Drive: 160 to 500 GB*

Display
• High resolution screen, 800×480 pixels, 4.8” TFT LCD, 16 million colors
• Touch screen

Video playback ⁷
• MPEG-4 HD (up to 720p)
• MPEG-48 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution)
• H.264 HD (up to 720p)
• WMV (MP@ML, up to DVD resolution) including WMV protected files
• MKV (up to 720p, 2500kbs, 23fps0
• M-JPEG (Motion JPEG Video) in QVGA resolution
With optional plug-in (downloadable from your tablet or on http://www.archos.com):
• Cinema: MPEG-2, WMV HD (720p), VOB

Audio playback ⁷
• Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 Kbits/s CBR & VBR,
• WMA, Protected WMA, WAV (PCM/ADPCM), AAC⁹(except protected content),
• AAC+ stereo audio files
• Ogg Vorbis up to 320kbs @44hz
• Flac up to 1000kbs @44hz.
With optional software plug-ins (downloadable from your tablet or on http://www.archos.com):
• AC3 stereo audio and 5.1 sound files (via SPDIF output of DVR Station )

Photo viewer ¹⁰
JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Subtitles
Support subtitles files with .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub extensions

Video recording ¹¹
• Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on. Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI format with stereo sound, VGA resolution (640 x 480) @ 30 or 25 f/s
• Via the optional TV Snap-on (only available for Europe): Records TV in MPEG-2 TS format.

Audio recording
• Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on: Stereo line-in, WAV (IMA ADPCM or PCM) format
• Voice recording with the built-in microphone

Others applications
Webbrowser, Email, Contacts, DroidIn™, Ebuddy™IM, Twidroid™, Deezer™, Dailymotion™, QuickPedia, ThinkFree Mobile, Moov, CraigsPhone, Pages jaunes™ (only for France), High Paying Jobs (only for US & Canada), Alarm clock, Calculator…

Interfaces
• USB 2.0: Media Transport Protocol (MTP)
• USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) with optional Mini Dock, Battery Dock and DVR station
• Micro SD (SDHC compatible) on ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet 8 to 32 GB
• Add-on connectors to connect to the DVR Station and other ARCHOS add-ons

Communication protocols
• WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP, EDR, ARCP, HID, Dial Networking
• FM transmitter (requires the Car-mount that features the antenna)
• FM receiver (RDS)

Miscellaneous
• Built-in speaker"• Built-in leg stand• Built-in Microphone

Power source
• Internal: Lithium Polymer battery
• Device charges via computer USB port
• External: Power adapter/charger (via optional add-on)

Battery life
• Music playback time¹²: up to 22 hours¹³
• Video playback time¹²: up to 7 hours¹³

Scalability
• Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated
• Updates can also be downloaded at http://www.archos.com

Dimensions & weight
• ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet Flash series: 143,2×78,8×10,4 mm – 182g• ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet Hard Drive series: 143,2×78,8×20 mm – 286g

Minimum system requirements
• Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, or higher (with Windows media Player 11 for MTP)
• Linux (with Mass Storage Device Support)
• USB 2.0 interface

Package includes
ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, earphones, Standard USB cable, DVR Station adapter, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice.