The HP Slate was first announced at at CES last January. The tablet was set to take on the upcoming iPad. Initial tests showed it to be clunky and slow – forcing HP to put the tablet back into the warehouse.
But HP has trotted out the Slate – but in an updated form. It still runs Windows 7 and has an 8.9 inch screen. But now it sports a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor, a Crystal HD accelerator that should ensure smooth playback for HD (1080p) videos, two gigabytes of RAM, and a 64GB SSD.
The HP Slate also has two cameras. There is no 3G, but there is Wi-Fi.
The specs make it quite the powerhouse. The price, however, runs at $799, making it on the more expensive side.
HP is aiming the tablet squarely at business users. They are betting that a segment will want the familiar Microsoft Office tools.
Some of the early reviewers noted the touchscreen was not particularly sensitive – something we’ll have to watch for once the Slate hits the street. And while the Slate has a lot of processing power, it’s going to need it, running Windows. Also, the lack of 3G connectivity is perplexing, since business users will want access on their own terms.
Watch for more information as reviews start to roll in.