V3.co.uk got some hands-on time with the forthcoming Archos G9 tablet range at the launch event in central London last night.

There are two sizes being offered by Archos - the 8in and 10.1in - the only difference being the weight, screen size and resolution.

Both G9 models are powered by an ARM Cortex dual-core A9 processor with a clock speed of 1.5GHz, making them 50 per cent faster than tablets currently on the market. However, it remains to be seen whether this will still be the case when they are launched in September.

Although performance of the G9 tablets was quick, navigating around the Honeycomb interface didn't appear any faster than existing tablets. The main performance gains are likely to be in the video output (the device ia capable of playing back full 1080p content) and internet performance.

The 8in G9 features a display with a resolution of 1,024x768, whereas the 10.1in model has a slightly sharper 1,280x800 resolution. Archos will offer the choice between 16GB of Flash memory or 250GB of HDD space, depending on requirements, the latter likely to appeal to business users.

In terms of design, both versions of the G9 did feel a little bulky. The 8in has a starting weight of 465g if users opt for 16GB of Flash storage, rising to 599g if the 250GB HDD is chosen.

Although the basic 8in device is only slightly heavier than the 7in BlackBerry PlayBook (425g) the Archos has a much larger chassis and cannot fit into a jacket pocket, unlike RIM's device.

The 10in model has a starting weight of 649g with 16GB of memory, or 755g with the 250GB HDD. This makes it heavier than the similar sized iPad 2 (613g) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (589g).

One of the unique features is the 3G USB dongle, which fits into the back of the chassis. This is incorporated into the design well, and allows the use of a SIM card from an existing dongle to connect to the internet.

The trademark kickstand has also been retained in both models, but there is only one position that can be used, unlike the previous Archos 101 tablet, which had two fixable positions.

Archos claims that the devices will ship with the updated Android Honeycomb 3.1. This will be the standard version of the operating system, with no overlay provided. Access to the Android Market is expected to be included, as are the traditional Google applications.

It's fair to say that the French manufacturer offers some of the best budget tablets on the market and the G9 series looks to continue this trend. We slightly preferred the 8in device and, with prices starting at £199 for the 16GB model, it looks like a solid offering for business users on a budget.

The 10in device could attract those who watch a lot of multimedia and is reasonably priced at £279.

Watch our hands-on videos of the 80 G9 and the 101 G9.

The Archos 101 internet media tablet has arrived in the office, and our first impressions suggest that the upcoming iPad 2 and numerous Android Honeycomb devices have nothing to worry about.

Initial impressions are mixed as the tablet offers decent connectivity, but an inconsistent user experience.

The device feels sturdy, but it's not much of a looker. The tablet is distinctly bland compared to high-profile rivals including the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

With a 10.1in screen, the Archos 101 has a similar form factor to the iPad, and weighs 480g, exactly 200g less than Apple's equivalent Wi-Fi-only device.

There are a number of intersecting lines on the front of the touch screen that are visible to the eye. Archos confirmed that they are in fact 'g-sensors' put in place to respond to finger input and, while they do not interfere with the display, it does seem strange that they are present.

Unfortunately, pixilation is prominent on the display almost everywhere from the home screen to web pages. When reading articles on the internet, words appear pixellated before any zooming has taken place. This lets the device down and makes it look dated when compared to leading tablets on the market.

Overall performance isn't the smoothest either, even though the tablet is equipped with an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor. When carrying out basic functions such as swiping between home screens or scrolling on web pages, there is a split-second lag, which is noticeable.

On the positive side, Archos has made sure that connectivity is not going to be a problem by including micro and standard USB, micro-SD card and mini HDMI ports. There is also a front-facing webcam to allow for video calling over Wi-Fi.

The kickstand is also a unique feature, which allows users to position the device on a flat surface at a variety of angles. The stand can be positioned to comfortably watch videos or type on the device, although the on-screen keyboard is basic and hasn't been designed for prolonged text input.

The 101 ships with Android 2.2 Froyo, which is soon to be surpassed by Honeycomb 3.0 in devices such as the Motorola Xoom and Galaxy Tab 10.1. While Archos could perhaps have opted for a Windows platform to make the 101 more appealing to business users, this would likely have made the device cost considerably more than £250.

Archos has put 20 basic applications on the tablet, and it ships with a number of extra apps, the most exciting of which are Wikipedia, Fring and the Aldiko e-reader service.

Unfortunately users are not granted access to the official Android Market although Archos attempts to compensate by offering access to 30,000 applications in the AppsLib store. Many users will be pleased to know that this does stock Angry Birds.

V3.co.uk will post a full review of the Archos 101 and a video review soon.