News is coming in from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – Steve Ballmer’s keynote touched upon not only Windows 7, but also the recently announced HP multi-touch Slate tablet. The first official pictures of the prototype have been released:
Courtesy electricpig.co.uk
One bit of the speculation surrounding the Slate tablet was that it might run Microsoft’s Courier, a concept OS that is supposed to look and act like a book. Instead, the Slate will be running Windows 7, which as we know has quite a few new multi-touch features.
Another piece of data that came to light was that the Slate would include the PC version of Amazon’s Kindle software, meaning that you can download and view books from Amazon.com just as you would on a regular Kindle. (This begs the question: why buy a Kindle if you can get a much more capable device that can read E-books and also run all available Windows software? But I digress.)
Little more information was given by Ballmer – no hardware specs or battery life information, though I expect HP will opt for either an Atom processor or an Intel Ultra Low Voltage processor, the only chips that really make sense given the size and purpose of the tablet.
No pricing information was given, though Ballmer stated that it would cost about as much as a high-end smart phone – speculation puts it in the $500-700 range.
Last on the list of information we don’t yet have, the release date for the tablet has not yet been announced, but since HP obviously announced this tablet to steal some thunder from Apple’s rumored tablet announcement later this month it’ll be interesting to see how the company responds to Apple’s release date.
Now I really can’t wait for Apple the release their tablet to take on this thing. I wonder what was going through HP’s mind…
Windows 7 is a pretty good operating system. It’s better then Windows Vista. I can’t wait to try the HP tablet. The price looks good. Let see how Apple’s tablet would cost.
You sound like Ballmer and his thoughts on the iPhone.
hahaha. If I were to show Steve Ballmer that message I posted, he will be very happy and accepts that it’ true.
They’ll make it shiny and very expensive
I think that you don’t have to buy a very shiny tablet because eventually the Apple tablet will be old. But we’ll see how the HP tablet and the Apple tablet cost. Mostly likely the Apple tablet will cost more then the HP tablet.
Not really. Apple will do something else that improves the tablet but still makes it shiny. Apple fans are into that shiny thing.
‘it’s better than Vista’ is not a statement to be proud of, nor is it a difficult achievement :-p
I think it was part of the (doj influenced?) master plan!
Then there’s the “You think we aren’t secure enough, eh? Fine, we’ll lock it tight, give you full control as the ‘decider’ and see how you like it, sucker!”
Can’t wait for win-mob7!
i always find microsoft based computers as flashy macs are usually plain with innovative features that five it the flash. but mac did give a good price on their tablet the just gave us a piece of shit product.
The slate tablet from HP looks promising. I’ll have to wait until production I guess to get a chance to buy one and test it for myself. As for Apple I don’t care because I don’t buy MACs or products from them.
Hope the specifications for the slate PC are:
1. Core 2 Duo: 1.2-2.0Ghz
2. Memory: 4Gb DDR3
3. Ion Graphic Card: 1-1.2Ghz
4. HD/SSD: 120Gb+
5. OS: Windows 7 64bit
6. Webcam: 3MP
7. Screen Size: 8.9-10″
8: Price: $500-$1000
9. SD card reader/USB ports
etc…
If the specifications are close to what I have hoped for I’m going to enjoy using it a lot.
True, but even you don’t use Apple products, you should at least try it. Well, I mean you don’t have to buy it. I have friends that have an ipod or iphone but they use a Windows PC. But I’m a fan of HP and I can’t wait to try it out in Best Buy.
One question I need you to answer. What Windows 7 edition does this HP tablet uses?
I think mostly likely Windows 7 Home Premium?
However, even I don’t use tablet PC. I also accept this for people who really need it. I do really like it.
I am sure the Apple tablet will be much more sexy and usable.