HP Delivers the Slate: Finally!

If you have an interest in tablet computing, you may remember the introduction of the HP Slate earlier in the year (January 2010) at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. The presentation notably featured Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer demoing HP's upcoming tablet device featuring Windows 7. The device's reveal was not only geared to emphasize the power that Windows 7 would have to operate such a device, but quite possibly the coming of a new age of tablets that would potentially compete with and overthrow the iPad - particularly in the corporate space. What soon followed, however, were reports, news stories, and rumors that the device had been canceled. Now, with apparently stealth like maneuvering, the HP Slate has made its way to retail.

Promoted as a device that is "the ideal PC for professionals who don't usually work at a traditional desk, yet need to stay productive in a secure familiar Windows environment," the HP Slate has finally made its way into HP's online store. News reports over the past several months described the product's future as non-existent or at least questionable - mostly in speculative part to HP's acquisition of Palm. The purchase of the one-time leader in hand-held devices obviously placed HP in a position with a bag full of new technologies to consider and focus on. This sparked the possibility of the Slate being re-engineered for an OS other than Windows 7. As the clouds have doubt have finally cleared, it is still reported online that a webOS version of the device is in the works.

So what's under the hood of the Slate 500?

It is in fact powered by windows 7 (32 bit), and an energy efficient Intel Atom Processor (Z540) at 1.86GHz, with a 512KB L2 cache, and 533 MHz front side bus. Certainly satisfactory speed, comparably to the iPad, for the ultra-mobile user.

The 8.9" 1024 x 600 WSVGA (Wide Super Video Graphics Adapter) widescreen display features multi-touch input, and dual cameras: a VGA webcam for video conferencing, and a 3MP camera for stills.

Storage shouldn't be much of an issue. Similar to the iPad, up to 64 GB of solid state storage is support. No word, however, modern features such as an Accelerometer or Ambient light sensor.

Battery life unfortunately seem to spectacular. While the Apple website boasts up to 10 hours of power on the iPad, the HP Slate reports 5+.

Sources/Resources:

HP Slate at the HP Online Store
Apple: iPad
Geek.com: HP Slate is dead, webOS-based HP "Hurricane" arriving in Q3, sources say