The idea behind the Archos Gamepad was and is a great one. Being able to play games on a tablet device using actual hardware gaming controls is one niche that many companies have strived to achieve success.
The original Archos Gamepad failed to bring a good enough spec for the price they decided to sell at. It basically needed to be higher spec which would obviously raise the price.
Enter the Archos Gamepad 2. A higher spec slightly redesigned version of the original. Let’s have a look at the specs first.
Tech Specs
Display • 7’’: 1280 x 800 pixels, IPS
Software• Android 4.2, “Jelly Bean”
Processor • Quad-core A9 @ 1.6GHz
GPU • Quad-core GPU Mali 400 MP4
Capacity • 8GB* or 16GB* + micro SD (compatible with cards up to 64GB)
RAM • 2GB RAM
Camera• Front webcam
Expansion• microSD (compatible with 64 GB cards formatted to FAT32)
Wireless technologies • Dual band WiFi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
• Wireless display5
• Bluetooth
Gaming Controls • Two analogue thumb-sticks
• Directional pad
• 6 front facing buttons
• 4 shoulder buttons
Miscellaneous • Built-in stereo speakers
• G-sensor
• Built-in Microphone
• Audio Jack 3.5mm
• HDMI output (Mini HDMI / HDMI cable sold separately)
• External: Power adapter/charger
Dimensions & weight • 200.5 mm x 154 mm x 9.9 mm (7.9’’ x 6.0’’ x 0.39’’)
• 400g
So the new Archos Gamepad 2, has more RAM, a better CPU and in theory a better screen. Let’s hope it makes for a better experience.
Archos do have a handy button mapping tool which allows you to force a lot of games to work with the gaming controls. It ate up battery like there was no tomorrow. I could kill my battery playing Super Mario in about an hour.
As regards price and availability Archos have said that the ARCHOS GamePad2 will be available at the end of October at €179.99. So it’s going to be about the same price as last time.
If you’re interested head over to the Archos Gamepad 2 product page here where you’ll be able to pre order it soon.
Although they haven’t said which size this is for, I guess it’ll be the 8GB model which I recommend you don’t get, as it’ll only hold a few large games.
They also haven’t mentioned the exact size of the battery in the Gamepad 2 either. The battery was possibly the biggest let down with the first model, so we’ll have to see how that goes.
A hybrid tablet made for gamers; the GamePad 2 features a faster Quad-Core CPU, a 7” IPS HD screen and the proprietary ARCHOS Game Mapping Tool
London, October 9th, 2013 – ARCHOS, a pioneer in Android™ devices, is proud to announce its second generation tablet made for Gamers – the ARCHOS GamePad 2 available in Europe at the end of October at £179.99.
“Following the success of the GamePad 1, we knew that we could take the gaming-tablet concept further. With our GamePad 2 we have included an HD screen, better controls, a larger battery and a faster processor,” said Loic Poirier ARCHOS CEO, “We’re excited to be working with a leading games company like Gameloft to pre-install two visually stunning titles for an amazing gaming experience.”
The ARCHOS GamePad 2 includes complete versions of Asphalt 8: Airborne and Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour by Gameloft both revisited for physical controls. “With a tablet that’s as innovative as the ARCHOS GamePad 2, it was an easy decision to optimise our games for the platform,” said Cyril Guilleminot, Gameloft Director for France & Benelux. “Users will be able to take part in a brand new gaming experience with its integrated physical control system.”
HD IPS Screen
The ARCHOS GamePad 2 features a 7 inch HD screen perfect for gaming. The widescreen 1280 x 800 pixel resolution gives an amazing gaming and multimedia experience and IPS technology ensures amazing colours and brightness as well as perfect viewing angles.
Powerful Processor, Larger Battery
Powered by an A9 generation quad-core processor running at 1.6GHz coupled with a fast Quad-Core graphics processor and 2GB of system RAM, the ARCHOS GamePad 2 has more than enough power to play the latest 3D games smoothly.
Thanks to super energy-efficient 28 nanometer processor technology and a much larger battery than normally used on a 7 inch tablet, the ARCHOS GamePad 2 has vastly improved battery life whether in gaming or simply when browsing the web.
Improved Thumb-Sticks, Buttons and Mapping Tool
The ARCHOS GamePad 2 features more precise, incurved dual thumb-sticks, double buttons on each shoulder, a single part directional pad and a vastly improved button click-feeling for a better physical gaming experience.
Combined with the updated version of the critically praised Game Mapping Tool, first featured on the GamePad 1, that lets users map any touch-screen button game to work with the physical controls, the ARCHOS GamePad 2 offers an improved android gaming experience for hundreds of thousands of free and paid games.
The ARCHOS GameZone – find the best games
To find great games faster, ARCHOS created the GamePad Game Zone application; curating over 1 million apps and games in the Google Play™ Store, the Game Zone shows off the best ARCHOS GamePad 2 compatible games.
With downloads, purchases, ratings, comments and game updates all taking place through the Google Play™ Store, users can get the best from the huge games catalogue available for the ARCHOS Gamepad 2
The ARCHOS GamePad 2 is available in two storage sizes – 8GB and 16GB. Both versions include a microSD slot (64GB compatible) with app2sd support for extra storage.
Still a powerful Android Tablet
Though the ARCHOS GamePad 2 was designed with gaming in mind, it’s still a fully functional Android tablet able to do everything that you expect from a tablet… and more, thanks to ARCHOS media applications. Additional key features and specs include:
Android 4.2™ ‘Jelly Bean’
Google Certified with full access to the Google Play store and its 1 million apps and games, GamePad Game Zone app also included to find the best games
Amazing Tablet Features: WiFi Display, HDMI, front stereo speakers, Front camera for video calling and an improved multi-media thanks to Archos Media Center applications