Archos FamilyPad 2 - 13.3" tablet

CallOfCth'reader · 08-01-2013, 06:20 AM

News from a few months ago, but which I haven't seen on here, is the Archos FamilyPad 2 13.3" screen Android tablet.

The screen is 1280x800 pixels, which is comparable with most laptop screens of that size. That makes it interesting for reading PDFs (and comics, if that's your thing).

I've seen it at £218, which seems like a bargain. It also comes with a microUSB host slot, so you can plug peripherals into it.

I must admit that I'm tempted by it, for reading PDFs on it (much easier than carting text books around), but all of the review videos seem to concentrate on its video playing capabilities.

It also has a mini HDMI port, microSD slot (up to 64gb), 1gb internal RAM, 8gb internal storage, and is powered by a dual-core A9 @ 1.6GHz. The speakers are supposed to be under-powered, and badly placed for landscape mode.

http://www.archos.com/products/theme...try=us&lang=en

Sregener · 08-01-2013, 07:45 AM

For reading PDFs, I think the 9.7" HD screens in the Titanium and the never-seems-to-be-for-sale Platinum would be better choices. A large screen is nice, but 1280x800 is just too few pixels for comfortable reading.

For personal reading, you can always hold the screen closer to your face, which increases its apparent size. The reason they're calling it a "FamilyPad" and emphasizing the video is because you can't really do that with multiple people - everybody has to stay back so everyone can see, which necessitates a larger screen. So really, when was the last time your family gathered around to read a PDF together?

CallOfCth'reader · 08-01-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sregener

For personal reading, you can always hold the screen closer to your face, which increases its apparent size.

Some of us have eyesight that doesn't do well with things held closer to our faces.

Istvan diVega · 08-01-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallOfCth'reader

I must admit that I'm tempted by it, for reading PDFs on it (much easier than carting text books around), but all of the review videos seem to concentrate on its video playing capabilities.

Surely on any remotely recent tablet the "PDF reading performance", as it were, will be entirely dependent on the reader app and not on the hardware, which is why you're very unlikely to find it mentioned in a review.

Nice tablet at a great price though. I may well pick it up myself with the same purpose in mind, since 13.3"@1280x800 is actually not in any way insufficient for comfortable reading. More pixels would be better of course, but unless your eyesight is very bad it'll do just fine.

CallOfCth'reader · 08-01-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istvan diVega

Surely on any remotely recent tablet the "PDF reading performance", as it were, will be entirely dependent on the reader app and not on the hardware, which is why you're very unlikely to find it mentioned in a review.

I'm thinking about the scrolling & zooming performance. I've no idea if that processor could handle a large text book file smoothly, or if it would struggle (and I've never used an android reader on a smaller device to have an idea). The screen is a gloss finish, so not good for glare, but that personally wouldn't bother me too much as I'd be using it indoors.

steven522 · 08-01-2013, 10:09 AM

My Archos 80 G9 8" tablet has 1024x768 and does just fine for me as both video and reader. I will admit that when it comes to "family" viewing, myself my wife and my daughter all have to hug up together in order for us all to see the screen clearly... but I just view that as the tablet bringing us closer together.

owly · 08-01-2013, 10:38 AM

At 1.3 kg (2.86 pounds) it's about twice as heavy as a regular tablet..

frahse · 08-01-2013, 06:20 PM

I bought a used (from a friend) Archos 43 (4.3" screen) for about $70 and my friend threw in a bunch of accoutrements. Power supplies, cases, dash holders, etc.

I bought it for WiFi use on a vacation, and it has been a constant companion since.

I waited to see if Archos, a French company and favorite in Europe, would come out with a more high end small device, but it seems that they deemed their future market to be the larger size tablet market instead.

I am happy with it.

08-01-2013, 06:20 AM	#1
CallOfCth'reader Cultist Posts: 196 Karma: 8624438 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS 505, Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo, Kobo Forma, Kindle DX	Archos FamilyPad 2 - 13.3" tablet News from a few months ago, but which I haven't seen on here, is the Archos FamilyPad 2 13.3" screen Android tablet. The screen is 1280x800 pixels, which is comparable with most laptop screens of that size. That makes it interesting for reading PDFs (and comics, if that's your thing). I've seen it at £218, which seems like a bargain. It also comes with a microUSB host slot, so you can plug peripherals into it. I must admit that I'm tempted by it, for reading PDFs on it (much easier than carting text books around), but all of the review videos seem to concentrate on its video playing capabilities. It also has a mini HDMI port, microSD slot (up to 64gb), 1gb internal RAM, 8gb internal storage, and is powered by a dual-core A9 @ 1.6GHz. The speakers are supposed to be under-powered, and badly placed for landscape mode. http://www.archos.com/products/theme...try=us&lang=en

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08-01-2013, 07:45 AM	#2
Sregener Addict Posts: 239 Karma: 1664052 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle 4NT	For reading PDFs, I think the 9.7" HD screens in the Titanium and the never-seems-to-be-for-sale Platinum would be better choices. A large screen is nice, but 1280x800 is just too few pixels for comfortable reading. For personal reading, you can always hold the screen closer to your face, which increases its apparent size. The reason they're calling it a "FamilyPad" and emphasizing the video is because you can't really do that with multiple people - everybody has to stay back so everyone can see, which necessitates a larger screen. So really, when was the last time your family gathered around to read a PDF together?

08-01-2013, 10:09 AM	#6
steven522 binomial: homo legentem Posts: 1,061 Karma: 25222222 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Alabama, USA Device: iriver Story HD; Archos 80 G9	My Archos 80 G9 8" tablet has 1024x768 and does just fine for me as both video and reader. I will admit that when it comes to "family" viewing, myself my wife and my daughter all have to hug up together in order for us all to see the screen clearly... but I just view that as the tablet bringing us closer together.

08-01-2013, 10:38 AM	#7
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	At 1.3 kg (2.86 pounds) it's about twice as heavy as a regular tablet..

08-01-2013, 06:20 PM	#8
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,315 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	I bought a used (from a friend) Archos 43 (4.3" screen) for about $70 and my friend threw in a bunch of accoutrements. Power supplies, cases, dash holders, etc. I bought it for WiFi use on a vacation, and it has been a constant companion since. I waited to see if Archos, a French company and favorite in Europe, would come out with a more high end small device, but it seems that they deemed their future market to be the larger size tablet market instead. I am happy with it.