Technology giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) released a slew of details for its upcoming Apple iPad competitor, a tablet PC called the Slate 500, which will run on Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and boast a starting weight of only 1.5 lbs. The company said the tablet was designed specifically for business, enterprise and vertical customers who require the mobility of a tablet. Pricing for the Slate 500 is $799, and includes the Slate Digital Pen, Slate Dock, and Slate Portfolio.
The 8.9-inch capacitive multi-touch display of the Slate 500 allows users to navigate on the screen with the touch of a finger or with the HP Slate Digital Pen and Evernote software to handwrite e-mail messages and take notes. The integrated VGA Web cam on the front of the Slate 500 enables video conferencing, while the 3MP camera on the back can be used for still-image and video capture. Wi-Fi certified WLAN allows users to send and receive e-mails or access the Internet. In a brief statement, the company said the Slate 500 would be available first in the U.S. and then evaluated for further market expansion.
The tablet runs on an Intel Atom Processor Z540 (1.86 GHz, 512 KB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB) and offers 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM. In addition to Evernote, additional software installed on the Slate 500 includes HP Slate Camera, HP Support Assistant, Adobe Reader and Adobe PDF. Other options and features include accessories like a keyboard, mouse and printer, which connect with the Slate 500’s built-in USB 2.0 port, and wireless connectivity to Bluetooth devices such as printers, mice and headsets.
HP’s tablet is just the latest of impeding tablet devices to enter an increasingly crowded marketplace. After the successful launch of the iPad, Toshiba and Samsung, among others stepped forward with plans to launch their own devices. Toshiba’s Folio 100, which runs Google’s Android 2.2 operating system, will retail for €399, or roughly $500, will be available during the fourth quarter of 2010 throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa, according to a company release.
Verizon Wireless will begin selling the Samsung Galaxy Tab for $599.99 on Nov. 11. No contract is required, though Verizon Wireless customers can add a monthly access plan for the Galaxy Tab for $20 a month for 1 GB. According to a research note from IT analytics firm Gartner, worldwide media tablet sales will reach 19.4 million units in 2010. The research note predicted that tablet PC sales would increase from 19.4 million units in 2010 to 54.7 million in 2011, then 103.4 million in 2012, and finally 208 million in 2014.