It’s release day for the Archos 9 PC Tablet! Wait… where is the Archos 9?

So did everyone rush out to their retailers today to pick up one of the first slab tablet PCs to hit the market? The answer is a resounding no. Not because of the lack of excitement or hype, but because the Archos 9 is nowhere to be found.

I think all of us tablet-heads were looking forward to today because it would officially usher in the age of the slab tablet PC. The Archos 9 represented the first of many to come in larger-sized tablets. But now with relatively no word from Archos — aside from them officially updating their website with more Archos 9 information — anticipation is starting to turn into concern. The only U.S. retailer to list the product, ErwinComp.com, said that they don’t expect the product until mid-November. With no Amazon, Best Buy or B&H listings currently online it doesn’t exactly inspire hope.

Update: the Archos store now has the Archos 9 tablet for sale in EU countries. U.S. site lists $499 price but only says “coming soon.” Option to preorder not given.

After seeing reviews of the product on sites like Engadget and UMPCPortal, people want to see if any performance enhancements have been made to the 9. In the review videos some of the response times looked sluggish.

We contacted an Archos representative but haven’t received any response at this time.