Think virtualisation people, HP Win7 slate will be one super device...dos, linux and many other virtualised environments will be awesome in ths form factor. A totally compact powerhouse..

iPad is a neat little toy but it's not on the same page as Microsoft based slates, sorry.

@Brain!

I know that flash does much more than just video, i own the program for heaven's sake (cs3 not cs4). While yes html 5 might not be out for a couple years, one of its primary intentions is to replace the need for flash and silverlight. will they completely disappear from the internet? no. but since they are such power hogs most companies will move away from them if they can.

Also the majority of major browsers (firefox, safari, and chrome) already have some aspects of html 5 built in. youtube has already made the switch, so how much longer till hulu? not sure.

I am also unsure about this slate, because i have looked everywhere for some detailed specs on the slate and can't even find its weight.

yeah the slate has:
a camera, win 7, usb port, multitasking but that is about the only differences between the slate and ipad (for now atleast).

i personally think the ipad will do better overall because of the infrastructure that is already built in, and the fact that you will be able to get internet internationally. also for some reason no other company can seem to beat apple at the creation of long lasting batteries (and don't you dare think that the hp envy is an example, that is just laughable).

@mhigdon What is up with this "flash will become obsolete after html 5 comes out"? I hear this argument a lot.

First, HTML5 will not replace Flash completely. Maybe HTML6 - but as it stands the very rough spec does not match the features of Flash.

Second. Regardless if it replaces Flash, HTML5 isn't out. And it won't be "out" for another 2-3 years AND who knows how much of it actually becomes adopted by all the browsers.

Like it or not, Flash and Silverlight are the platforms where a developer can create rich-media content on multiple platforms and know it will run correctly today.

Just to be clear here, Flash does far more than just video.
http://www.thefwa.com see for yourself.

As for the iPad itself. Right now it is a vehicle for selling apps and media from iTunes. Like the iPod has created revenue for Apple selling music, I think they hope the iPad will create more of a demand for video and now eBooks. But I think mostly video. Apple has always wanted to become the go-to place for buying movies the same way they are for music.

And that is it. iPad is a media playback device with light communication tools included. It isn't a full computer, even Apple took out big chunks of iWork's power (which was light already compared to Microsoft Office suite). It isn't a device intended for content creation - and I think that is the big letdown.

The HP Slate, well, I think it might have a chance to one up the iPad. The trick is if Windows 7 can really work as a touch OS. I like Win7 a lot, but I have yet to use it in a touch situation. It isn't like the iPad is free of pulldown menus either, but Win7 is sized for mouse icons, not fingertips. Yet, I think with apps like StarDock you can change all of that.

So we will see. I REALLY hope that the Slate shows up the iPad. Competition is great for the consumer. Apple could use a black eye too - Jobs is too cocky. Apple was truly more innovative and open when they were being beaten bad. I don't want Apple to fail, just get bitch slapped a bit.

first, hp's quality on products is far below par whereas apple is constantly awarded for their quality. second, flash will become obsolete after html 5 comes out, which i guess is what apple is banking on. third, people that have tested the demo ipad say it doesn't have multitasking, but will it by the time it is released? Perhaps. The iphone's os is supposed to get a new os released this year that will allow for multitasking, and since the ipad's os is built off of the iphone's os it only makes since that they will add multitasking to the ipad. I have no beef with windows 7 (i actually think it is a pretty good os), but i can tell you from experience, after using a windows mobile phone for the past year that has connectivity issues and update issues, i do not believe it would be wise for microsoft to put a new mobile os out there, because no matter what you might think it wont be a full windows 7, just a much fuller version than the ipad's os.

When I saw the ipad, I immediately said. "No, I don't want a big iPhone, I want a touch computer!" I am first in line to pick up an HP Slate.

you're right. Apple did reinvent the wheel. They made it square and put the axle in one corner. This product is reverse innovation... its missing all of the features that true techies have come to rely on. we just went back to 2006. It will sell because the fanboys will buy anything, but it will not be a success outside of the fanboy market.

THE HP SLATE is gonna kick the iTampon's ass:
* Windows 7
* touch screen
* full OS
* Flash support (Netflix, Hulu, games)
* WiFi
* multi-tasking
* upgradeable
* Office 2010 productivity suite

The Ipad will sell cause fanboys will by anything apple craps out. first steve jobs says netbooks are trash then he says ereader will be out the door. So he tries to create a hybrid the Ipad that can't even multitask,flash, looks nice though!!!

The point that many PC Speak people don't get, whilst talking from an orifice not usually reserved for voice communication is that Apple DID reinvent the wheel.

@Acumen
Wow, congratulations on not actually reading a post before flaming it. The title even states 5% market share and nowhere is the claim made that Apple was the largest tech company. It says, and I'll quote it so you do not have to take the effort and scroll back up and actually read it, "Apple is the most profitable tech company". Whether this is true and the numbers are factual or not is up to debate, but do not think we are idiots and do not see blatant misrepresentation.

I'm not sure how you reached the conclusion that Apple was the largest tech company in the world. For example, HP (ostensibly the topic of this post) had net revenue of $114.552 billion, not including an additional $10 billion from other operations (FY2009). Combined, this puts HP within striking distance of twice the revenue that you quoted for Apple. And, I suspect that HP is not the largest company in this sector.

give me the HP Tablet. I have just watched twit.tv all day about the Apple IPad. What a letdown. Give me a small form factor device that is not locked down and let me use Windows 7 like it was built to be used, and i will install software that will do everything i want it to. i can install a program...not some corny app and at the end of the day, if i want, i can install itunes to download music and watch flash video on any website. so apple good try but let me be free. Thanks HP for reading my mind.

Are you sure about this number? Where did you get it? In your dreams? You're kidding, right?

-$ 62.72 Billion Anual turnover

-$ 13.52 Billion profit per year

- $40 Billion in cash in the bank

Apple is the most profitable tech company in the world. That is why the whole tech industry watches what it does

-$ 62.72 Billion Anual turnover

-$ 13.52 Billion profit per year

- $40 Billion in cash in the bank

At the rate off 33% growth per year it will overtake Microsoft's $68 Billion turnover shame on you Microsoft

Wow not bad for a company with 5% market share lol

You are kidding right? Win 7 should only add no more than 50 bucks to the price of a tablet. If you don't think the average *dumb* consumer won't pay an extra 50 bucks to use windows then yer in the dark, my friend. the *average* consumer knows very little about android and probably will go with windows 7.

Personally, I'd much rather have Win 7 and would pay extra for it.

What a joke. If hp think that Windows 7 is the solution then they don't understand the problem.

Only a few dummies will but Windows 7 tablets the rest of use will buy Android | Chromium + ARM kit because it works and it's cheap. Some will buy iSlate but most won't be able to afford it.

The few reports that are out there say it will be ARM powered and will basically be a big iPhone. Let's hope not.

Yes, it's right. As long as, the product will be Intel Inside, it doesn't matter. Everyone will like it, because it was powered with the best processor that suited for this devices and manufactured by Intel.

Create a PC type product that has a glammy, overdone interface, and is restricted to their software model. And it will be priced much higher than its competitors. And it will have miniscule market share.

Take the esxisting tech, and do what everyone has singuarly failed to do..MAKE IT USABLE

For a company that holds on 5% of the market , why do you care are they do they are small fry? just concentrate on Asus, Acer and all the other cloners.

You dont because no matter how much you disliek them, once apple bring something out that suceeeds you will see the rest of the industry follow.

I sem to remember every stating how they'd fail at making phones as well, I'm betting theres a lot of phone makers who wish they had the iphone in their portfolio!