Just ordered the Archos 70

ebusinesstutor · 03-27-2011, 12:14 AM

Decided to get into ebook reading last year. Looked at all the dedicated ebook readers and decided $150 (price at the time) was a lot to pay when I wasn't sure if I would be happy without a "paper" book.

Since I already had an iPhone, I decided to use it for a few months. If my reading experience on there would work, then I would look at an upgraded ebook reader.

To my surprise, I loved the handiness of the iPhone as an ebook reader and my reading experience wasn't less satisfying without a physical book. And I loved that I could try so many new authors for free and then support them when I liked their stories.

So I decided it was time for a bigger screen.

I was thinking that the ebook reader market might be like the PDA market, where people stopped buying them because their functions were starting to be available in cell phones so people didn't want to carry two devices. If the comparison were true, eventually tablets would take over from ereaders for many people. Also, I liked that I could just download an app for each ebook store and buy from any instead of being restricted.

So I decided on a tablet. I already had an iPhone which I liked but I was curious about Google Android Tablets as many were less expensive with more features than the iPhone. Also, I wanted to compare them and see how my web sites displayed in both systems.

I did some research and settled on the Archos 70 tablet at JR.com. I chose the 8GB version rather than the 250 GB to save weight since ebook reading would be a major use of it. I felt I could always add a 32GB SD card if I needed more space.

I felt the 7" screen (vs iPad 9.7") would be handier for for ereading. I liked that it had features like HDMI, USB, SD Cards, that the iPad lacked. And the price at $270 was much better than the $520 that the iPad sells for here.

Once it arrives, I will let you know how I like it.

VicLavigne · 03-28-2011, 03:24 PM

ebusinesstutor,

I got the same Archos about a month ago. I added a 16 Gb SD card (class 4, only $25 from Amazon!) and it has plenty of storage. I've added ebooks, music, and videos. I'm using the Aldiko book reader on it, but I've also added the Nook for android app (I have 2 Nooks at home too) and just for kicks I added the Kindle for android app and started a Kindle account with Amazon. You will also need to add a PDF reader, there are some free ones out there but I elected to go with EZ PDF, only cost me 99 cents and has very good reviews. Also you should add some type of office app so you can open and read Word documents, there are a few different apps available that will let you do this.

In comparison with your iPhone, you might find it a little bit sluggish as you change apps. Any by the way, if you want to add apps you should see about installing the android Market app - this is not preinstalled on the Archos, you will have to add it and install it manually.

As an ereader its not too bad, the size is nice and the battery lasts a reasonable length of time. I personally prefer the e-ink readers for long reading sessions, but if you want quick access to news or if you have digital magazines then the tablet is great. If all you have to compare against is your iPhone then the reading quality will probably be at least acceptable.

Vic

HansTWN · 03-28-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicLavigne

ebusinesstutor,

I got the same Archos about a month ago. I added a 16 Gb SD card (class 4, only $25 from Amazon!) and it has plenty of storage. I've added ebooks, music, and videos. I'm using the Aldiko book reader on it, but I've also added the Nook for android app (I have 2 Nooks at home too) and just for kicks I added the Kindle for android app and started a Kindle account with Amazon. You will also need to add a PDF reader, there are some free ones out there but I elected to go with EZ PDF, only cost me 99 cents and has very good reviews. Also you should add some type of office app so you can open and read Word documents, there are a few different apps available that will let you do this.

In comparison with your iPhone, you might find it a little bit sluggish as you change apps. Any by the way, if you want to add apps you should see about installing the android Market app - this is not preinstalled on the Archos, you will have to add it and install it manually.

As an ereader its not too bad, the size is nice and the battery lasts a reasonable length of time. I personally prefer the e-ink readers for long reading sessions, but if you want quick access to news or if you have digital magazines then the tablet is great. If all you have to compare against is your iPhone then the reading quality will probably be at least acceptable.

Vic

So how does the Archos's screen compare to the Nook Color?

ebusinesstutor · 03-29-2011, 12:24 AM

Thanks for your feedback Vic I appreciate the tips.

VicLavigne · 03-29-2011, 03:20 PM

The Nook Color screen has a higher resolution. 1024 X 600 versus Archos' 800 X 400. For what I do, I don't notice a difference in quality but I'm sure it may be noticeable for other people who really like high quality images and video.

Vic

ebusinesstutor · 03-30-2011, 12:55 AM

Not sure the Nook is available in Canada and I was always worried that they had disabled a lot of the tablet functionality by adding their ebook interface.

Higher screen resolution does sound good, but I don't think the Nook has HDMI or webcam.

I have also read that it is thicker and a slower processor. And the kickstand on the Archos is a nice touch.

Since I did want more tablet capability than a dedicated ereader, I think the Archos will suit me better.

HansTWN · 03-30-2011, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebusinesstutor

Not sure the Nook is available in Canada and I was always worried that they had disabled a lot of the tablet functionality by adding their ebook interface.

Higher screen resolution does sound good, but I don't think the Nook has HDMI or webcam.

I have also read that it is thicker and a slower processor. And the kickstand on the Archos is a nice touch.

Since I did want more tablet capability than a dedicated ereader, I think the Archos will suit me better.

Just enjoy, with tech devices there are always so many choices that you cannot afford to second guess your device post-purchase or it will drive you nuts. Both the Archos and the Nook color are good devices.

wodin · 03-30-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Just enjoy, with tech devices there are always so many choices that you cannot afford to second guess your device post-purchase or it will drive you nuts. Both the Archos and the Nook color are good devices.

How do you do that, or rather not do that. I second guess my devices every time a new shiny is introduced. And when the shiny crosses some arbitrary threshold of impulse trumps common sense the cycle start over.

I have a whole closet full of somewhat tarnished shinys.

ebusinesstutor · 03-30-2011, 10:28 PM

I can use them in business.

So the way I look at it is that if it lasts 3 years, I am getting all the functionality and learning so I can teach my mentorship students for less than $100 per year.

HansTWN · 03-31-2011, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

I have a whole closet full of somewhat tarnished shinys.

So do I, but I make it a point to never have any regrets --- unless the item turns out to be a real lemon.

caheaton · 03-31-2011, 09:37 AM

I recently made the jump to one of the Craig tablets. They work quite well as color ereaders. Now if only I could find a way to put this into a red screen mode for using outdoors at night (and not affect night vision)...
Craig

wodin · 03-31-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

So do I, but I make it a point to never have any regrets --- unless the item turns out to be a real lemon.

Yes, my collection includes a few lemons. :sigh:

HansTWN · 04-01-2011, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes, my collection includes a few lemons. :sigh:

Welcome to the club!

secretsubscribe · 04-01-2011, 10:41 AM

I've been using an Archos 70 8gb since the beginning of the year and I'm quite happy with it.
I've installed Google's Market on it, the Nook App, Sony's App, and an app called iReader that I can read my old DRM protected Mobipocket books with.
Screen isn't as crisp as my iPhone 4 or my wife's Nook but its very good. I even use it for comic book reading with the Android Comic Viewer and Comixiology.

Its been a great device so far.

jbcohen · 04-01-2011, 11:12 AM

I quite agree with your general assesment that customers would preferr not to carry multiple devices for the same function, however I arrived at a different conclusion then you did for a slighly different reason. I preferred to read it on the general purpose phone like your iphone, in my case a blackberry. I have readers for Borders, Amazon, mobi pocket and my library system. I am betting that customers would preferr to have the smaller smart phone then the larger tablet, in my area the tablet PC has 0% market so I am betting that the smart phone will beat the tablet PC, however you might be right. Of course I have another reason for selecting the option I did: my employer gave me the berry with the best possible plan: free phone and $0 a month and $0 for texting and unlimited email, text and phone calls. So you see I had an incentive to select the method I did, however I understand that I am rather unique in this manner.

03-27-2011, 12:14 AM	#1
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Just ordered the Archos 70 Decided to get into ebook reading last year. Looked at all the dedicated ebook readers and decided $150 (price at the time) was a lot to pay when I wasn't sure if I would be happy without a "paper" book. Since I already had an iPhone, I decided to use it for a few months. If my reading experience on there would work, then I would look at an upgraded ebook reader. To my surprise, I loved the handiness of the iPhone as an ebook reader and my reading experience wasn't less satisfying without a physical book. And I loved that I could try so many new authors for free and then support them when I liked their stories. So I decided it was time for a bigger screen. I was thinking that the ebook reader market might be like the PDA market, where people stopped buying them because their functions were starting to be available in cell phones so people didn't want to carry two devices. If the comparison were true, eventually tablets would take over from ereaders for many people. Also, I liked that I could just download an app for each ebook store and buy from any instead of being restricted. So I decided on a tablet. I already had an iPhone which I liked but I was curious about Google Android Tablets as many were less expensive with more features than the iPhone. Also, I wanted to compare them and see how my web sites displayed in both systems. I did some research and settled on the Archos 70 tablet at JR.com. I chose the 8GB version rather than the 250 GB to save weight since ebook reading would be a major use of it. I felt I could always add a 32GB SD card if I needed more space. I felt the 7" screen (vs iPad 9.7") would be handier for for ereading. I liked that it had features like HDMI, USB, SD Cards, that the iPad lacked. And the price at $270 was much better than the $520 that the iPad sells for here. Once it arrives, I will let you know how I like it.

03-28-2011, 03:24 PM	#2
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	ebusinesstutor, I got the same Archos about a month ago. I added a 16 Gb SD card (class 4, only $25 from Amazon!) and it has plenty of storage. I've added ebooks, music, and videos. I'm using the Aldiko book reader on it, but I've also added the Nook for android app (I have 2 Nooks at home too) and just for kicks I added the Kindle for android app and started a Kindle account with Amazon. You will also need to add a PDF reader, there are some free ones out there but I elected to go with EZ PDF, only cost me 99 cents and has very good reviews. Also you should add some type of office app so you can open and read Word documents, there are a few different apps available that will let you do this. In comparison with your iPhone, you might find it a little bit sluggish as you change apps. Any by the way, if you want to add apps you should see about installing the android Market app - this is not preinstalled on the Archos, you will have to add it and install it manually. As an ereader its not too bad, the size is nice and the battery lasts a reasonable length of time. I personally prefer the e-ink readers for long reading sessions, but if you want quick access to news or if you have digital magazines then the tablet is great. If all you have to compare against is your iPhone then the reading quality will probably be at least acceptable. Vic Last edited by VicLavigne; 03-28-2011 at 03:26 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sell Archos 5 w Android	KindleKid	Flea Market	1	03-01-2011 07:58 PM
Archos 5 Review	Nate the great	News	12	04-26-2010 12:21 PM
Archos 5 IT or Sony or.......?	svennn	Which one should I buy?	6	12-10-2009 12:36 PM
Amazon Archos 7	chough	Alternative Devices	0	12-08-2009 08:04 AM
Archos 9	jankovicgood	Alternative Devices	2	09-27-2009 05:42 PM

03-29-2011, 12:24 AM	#4
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Thanks for your feedback Vic I appreciate the tips.

03-29-2011, 03:20 PM	#5
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	The Nook Color screen has a higher resolution. 1024 X 600 versus Archos' 800 X 400. For what I do, I don't notice a difference in quality but I'm sure it may be noticeable for other people who really like high quality images and video. Vic

03-30-2011, 12:55 AM	#6
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Not sure the Nook is available in Canada and I was always worried that they had disabled a lot of the tablet functionality by adding their ebook interface. Higher screen resolution does sound good, but I don't think the Nook has HDMI or webcam. I have also read that it is thicker and a slower processor. And the kickstand on the Archos is a nice touch. Since I did want more tablet capability than a dedicated ereader, I think the Archos will suit me better.

03-30-2011, 10:28 PM	#9
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I can use them in business. So the way I look at it is that if it lasts 3 years, I am getting all the functionality and learning so I can teach my mentorship students for less than $100 per year.

03-31-2011, 09:37 AM	#11
caheaton Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 12944 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW Ohio, USA Device: Kobo & Kindle apps (PC, Android), Aura HD, Kindle Touch	I recently made the jump to one of the Craig tablets. They work quite well as color ereaders. Now if only I could find a way to put this into a red screen mode for using outdoors at night (and not affect night vision)... Craig

04-01-2011, 10:41 AM	#14
secretsubscribe Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 11777 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Brooklyn Device: PRS-500,Treo 750, Archos 605 Wifi	I've been using an Archos 70 8gb since the beginning of the year and I'm quite happy with it. I've installed Google's Market on it, the Nook App, Sony's App, and an app called iReader that I can read my old DRM protected Mobipocket books with. Screen isn't as crisp as my iPhone 4 or my wife's Nook but its very good. I even use it for comic book reading with the Android Comic Viewer and Comixiology. Its been a great device so far.

04-01-2011, 11:12 AM	#15
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	I quite agree with your general assesment that customers would preferr not to carry multiple devices for the same function, however I arrived at a different conclusion then you did for a slighly different reason. I preferred to read it on the general purpose phone like your iphone, in my case a blackberry. I have readers for Borders, Amazon, mobi pocket and my library system. I am betting that customers would preferr to have the smaller smart phone then the larger tablet, in my area the tablet PC has 0% market so I am betting that the smart phone will beat the tablet PC, however you might be right. Of course I have another reason for selecting the option I did: my employer gave me the berry with the best possible plan: free phone and $0 a month and $0 for texting and unlimited email, text and phone calls. So you see I had an incentive to select the method I did, however I understand that I am rather unique in this manner.