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Archos: three new super-portable PCs including Classmate and netbook

by James Sherwood | posted on 06 July 2009

August looks set to be Archos’ month, because the firm’s chosen next month as the launch date for its handheld PC and trio of new netbooks.

First, the Archos 9 UMPC - it has a 1024 x 600 touchscreen display, 1.3GHz Intel Atom Z515 processor and an integrated US15W chipset. If you opt for the 60GB model then the 9 will set you back £450, while the 120GB version is set to cost £500 ($817/€581). Both use hard drives rather than solid-state storage.

Windows 7 has been pegged as Archos' OS of choice for the 9, but - given its launch date - the firm will presumably ship it with Vista (possibly, even XP?) and provide an upgrade path.

Next, the 10s - it will replace the Archos 10 from next month (see picture above right) - a notebook which has also already received lots of press chiefly because Archos recently claimed that the 28mm thick machine is "the world’s slimmest netbook". It also features a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and 1GB of DDR 2 memory.

A 160GB 2.5in HDD is your only storage option, but if you go for the three-cell battery model next month then you’ll have to hand over £330. The six-cell 10s will cost you £350 ($572/€406).

The company has also launched two machines that we previously knew nothing about. One will essentially be a 13in version of the 10s called, called (cunningly) the 13s. It too will be out in August, will include an Intel Centrino ULV procesor and be priced at £550.

Finally, there's the Archos 9 Classmate: one for the kids. The Archos 9 Classmate – it's a 8.9in notebook using Intel's Classmate PC design with carry handle and spill-proof keyboard.

An Intel Atom processor lurks under the Classmate’s childproof exterior. The machine will set you back £320.