Checking Out the Archos 101 XS

Do you want to sell your iPad for a new tablet PC? You might want to add the Archos 101 XS to your list of possible alternatives for your iPad. French tablet PC manufacturer, Archos knows that in order to outshine the iPad, it has to offer something extra to its buyers. This extra feature will be the key in swaying buyers to purchase other products instead of the more popular and seemingly unsurpassable iPad.

image credit to ubergizmo.com

So, what does Archos add to the 101 XS to attract iPad loyalists to their fold? The magnetic keyboard that doubles as a cover to protect the screen and a docking port are what Archos thinks to be extra little features on its tablet PCs that can attract more users. You would think this extra cover would add to the thickness of the tablet PC, since most docking ports have to be thicker to accommodate the extra peripherals. However, even with this cover/docking port, the Archos 101 XS is still relatively slim at 0.51 inches. You do not have to worry about hinges because the cover connects to the body through magnets at the side, just like the mechanism used in the smart cover of the iPad 2. The cover makes this tablet PC more durable, so you wouldn’t hesitate to bring it along with you anywhere you go. You also don’t have to worry about the screen getting scratched when placed inside your bag because of this cover / docking port.

This tablet PC is the same size as the iPad, which is 10.1 inches. This is more of a departure for Archos, a company more known for producing smaller tablet PCs. The Archos 101 XS’s screen has a 1280 x 800 pixel display resolution. The build is quite durable with its bind fiber casing and metal frame. This unit comes with 16 GB of internal storage, so heavy data storage users will surely use the microSD card that comes along with it. On the inside, it has a 1.5GHz multi-core Arm A9 chipset. For those looking for alternative tablet PC after selling iPad, the features of the Archos 101 XS make it a great contender.

image credit to reviews.cnet.co.uk

The nice thing about this tablet PC is that it comes preinstalled with OfficeSuite Pro 6, which will save you several dollars from the Google Play store. With the OfficeSuite app and the keyboard docking port, this tablet is shaping up to be one great productivity tool for users who want to use their tablet PCs for word processing, making presentations, and doing spreadsheets. Writers, accountants, and managers will find this tablet PC a great alternative to netbooks and laptops.

All in all, this tablet PC is a great alternative to the iPad if you are quite low on the budget. If you can afford it, you do not have to sell your iPad to get another tablet PC like this. But then, you will still need to wait for a few more months for this Archos tablet PC as it won’t be available in the US until November.