Incoming: Archos unveils Android 4.0-powered 97 Carbon tablet for $250

Archos is looking to take on low-priced tablets like the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire with the Archos 97 Carbon. The new tablet falls under the company’s Elements line of entry-level devices, offering a  9.7-inch screen (which is where it gets its name) and Android 4.0 OS at the same affordable price range.

The 97 Carbon’s screen is basically similar to the non-Retina iPad, featuring the same IPS display with a 1024 x 768 resolution. The tablet will run on a 1GHz ARM processor and 1GB of RAM, and will feature dual cameras (VGA front, 2MP rear), 16GB of built-in storage (expandable with a microSD card), and a “stylish premium aluminum  finish”.

Ports and connectivity features include HDMI-out port (it’s listed to be capable of 1080p HD video decoding), a full-sized USB port, and Wi-fi connectivity.

The Archos 97 Carbon is set to ship later this month for $250 in the US and £220 in the UK. While the spec isn’t as impressive as some of the newer Android 4.0 devices, it still makes for a pretty good deal if you’re looking for a budget Android 4.0 slate that rocks a screen bigger than 7 inches.