Archos, maker of well priced Android tablets is set to launch the first of its G9 tablet series before the end of this month in the U.S. - the Archos 80 G9 8GB. Costing $299 USD, the tablet uses Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) and runs off a 1GHz OMAP 4 dual-core processor. It sports an 8-inch (1024 x 768) touchscreen and packs an 8GB SSD. Archos has said it will be available for preorder from the 20th of this month, and online availability is planned for the 30th.

Come October, another four models will enter the G9 series, all using 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP 4 processors. They include the :-

- Archos 80 G9 with a 16GB SSD - $329

- Archos 80 GB with a 250GB hard drive and a 4GB flash caching system - $369

- Archos 101 G9 with a 16GB SSD - $399

- Archos 101 G9 with a 250GB hard drive and a 4GB flash caching system - $469

Where the 101 models primarily differ to the 80 is in their larger 10.1-inch (1280 x 800) touchscreen. Otherwise, the entire G9 line-up remains consistent with microSD card slot, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, front facing camera capable of recording in 720p, GPS, G-sensor, built-in kick-stand and both USB and mini-HDMI ports.