[section_title title=”Introduction”]Introduction
Manufacturer: Archos
Model: GamePad 2
RRP: £170
Following on from our recent review of Archos’ 79 Xenon, Archos have supplied us with a GamePad 2 to be put through its paces. The GamePad 2 is an Andoid 4.2 “Jelly Bean” based tablet that comes with a built-in controller that adorns the shell of the device. Coming with a quad-core CPU and Mali 400 GPU, the specs aren’t looking to set the world alight but they should provide ample for most PlayStore favourites and Archos also includes installs of Modern Combat 4 and Asphalt 8 to get you on your way.
Specifications
| Included in box | • Tablet, charger, USB data cable, documentation |
| Display | • 7’’: 1280 x 800 pixels, IPS, |
| Application Framework | • Android 4.2, “Jelly Bean” |
| Processor | • Quad-core A9 @ 1.6GHz • Quad-core GPU Mali 400 MP4 |
| Capacity | • 8GB* or 16GB* + micro SD (compatible with cards up to 64GB) |
| RAM | • 2GB RAM |
| Video playback1 | • H.264 HD (up to 1080p @30fps) • MPEG-42 HD (up to 1080p @30fps) • With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, MKV, FLV |
| Audio Playback1 | • MP3 • WAV (PCM/ADPCM) • AAC3, AAC+ 5.13 • OGG Vorbis • FLAC |
| Photo viewer4 | • JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF |
| Subtitles | • .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub formats supported |
| Cameras | • Front webcam |
| Interfaces | • Micro USB 2.0: Mobile Transfer Protocol (MTP) • USB host via OTG • 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) |
| Power source | • Internal: Lithium Polymer battery • 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 (0.88 pounds) |
| Software update | • Updates can be downloaded at www.archos.com |
What Archos say about the Xenon
With its 7 inch HD IPS Screen, powerful quad-core processor, larger battery and it’s completely redesigned buttons and thumbsticks for physical gaming, the ARCHOS GamePad 2 is made with gaming in mind.
The GamePad 2 has got a lot riding on it’s gaming potential, but does it leave the rest of the packaging behind? Let’s find out.
