Rate Or Slate: after the disaster that was TouchPad, HP have thrown their hat into the tab ring once again with business pad – Slate 2. Eschewing HP’s own platform WebOS it is looking to Windows to save it from oblivion in the tablet industry.
And the 8.9-inch (226-mm) tablet means business with Intel Atom Z670 processor with mSATA SSM technology to deliver faster boot times, comes loaded with Windows 7 Professional, WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and 3G options, USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.
The Hewlett Packard device, announced yesterday, also lets you write on the screen with Slate Digital Pen and Swype onscreen keyboard for better typing, front-facing VGA webcam – good for videoconferencing – and a 3 MP camera on the rear.
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SRS Premium Sound provides excellent audio for voice and multimedia applications and an SD card slot allows for expanded storage.
HP are hoping the Slate 2 will appeal to business with Microsoft Windows OS at the ready: “The familiar Windows desktop look and feel keeps professionals productive while on the go” and promises improved battery life of up to six hours.”
However, the HP Slate 2 will also may run on other operating systems outside Windows 7, according to the company website.
HP, who just announced last week it was to keep its PC division, after announcing its intention earlier in the year to spin-off the profitable business, also announced a new professional’s notebook, are clearly looking to get back to business after a tumultuous year, which also saw CEO, Leo Apotheker, get the boot.
Weighing a measly 1.5 lb (0.69 kg), the 8.9″ HP Slate 2 is lightweight and easy to carry on the run. “Use your fingers to browse documents, spreadsheets, applications and more on the multi-touch display,” say HP.
Palo Alto’s answer to the iPad 2 comes with optional extras including the Retail Mobile Point of Sale (POS) Case, which features an integrated magnetic stripe reader and barcode scanner for retailers.
“HP is dedicated to the tablet PC category and continues to listen to customers and improve the product in ways that best address their business needs,” said Dan Forlenza, HP vice president and general manager, Commercial IT.
“The HP Slate includes the right mix of rich features, support for custom-built applications, and the security and connectivity needed for today’s highly mobile and rigorous day-to-day professional environment.”
It also comes with TPM Embedded Security Chip to protect data.
HP Slate 2 starts at US$699 and will to be available worldwide later this month.
