HP Slate 500 To Challenge iPad?

The year 2010 was expected to be the year of tablets. We have seen a couple of decent tablets but in reality no company has come even close to challenging Apple and its iPad this year. Many Android tablets are expected to make their debut in 2011, after Andriod 3.0’s release. Windows tablets are not that attractive to tablet makers considering that Windows 7 is not too tablet friendly. HP is finally stepping up to release its own slate solution to the market (for businesses anyways). Slate 500, which will cost $799, will run Windows 7 and have 64 GB of storage. It’s got a 8.9 inch, so it is not too small.

HP Slate 500 offers only 5 hours of battery per charge. That is dismal to say the least. The device will take advantage of an ATOM processor, having something in common with netbooks.

It’s really like a full-function PC, it runs Windows, it will run your office applications, it just so happens to be in a slate form factor,

said HP’s Carol Hess-Nickels. HP expects this device to be a hit among business owners. The device only has WiFi, and it is simply not for consumers.

Here is a summary of what this tablet will offer:

• ATOM Z540 processor (clocks at 1.86 Ghz)
• 8.9 inch screen
• 2 GB of RAM
• Windows 7
• weighs 1.5 lbs

Those of you who are still not sold on Apple iPad are better off waiting for WebOS tablets that HP is currently working on. Plenty of Android tablets will be released in 2011, so tablet fans will have some options. As far as iPad 2 is concerned, maybe President Obama will discuss some of his ideas on how to improve the iPad in his meeting with Steve Jobs. Who knows?