There goes the suspense. While HP would have wanted the intrigue and the teaser build-up to continue to the days before they officially launch their iPad rival, it seems someone spilled the beans. This presentation, which is supposedly meant to be an internal document (photo below) gives away pretty much all we need to know.
According to the details, the HP Slate will run on a platform based on Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, integrated graphics that’ll be able to support 1080p videos, 1GB of fixed memory, and a choice between 32GBs or 64GBs of flash-based memory that can be expanded with a card slot. This is, of course, expected, although the new document does give out more concrete info about the screen (8.9 inch, 1024 x 600, multi-touch; the iPad’s 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 screen is better), Operating System (Windows 7 Home Premium), battery (listed to run up to around 5 hours, which is half of what the iPad claims), and, most importantly, the price.
Probably the most telling piece of information, this could make or break the HP vs Apple’s impending slate face-off. And how’s it looking? HP’s Slate is projected to cost from $549 to $599, which matches the iPad’s sweet spot of $599 (for the 32GB Wi-fi only model). Apple should enjoy the lower-end of the market, thanks to a cheaper $499 base model (the 16GB iPad without 3G), but if HP sticks to this price range, they could win out with a more flexible spec at $599 with a model that offers 64GBs of storage, multiple built-in ports (HDMI, USB, card slots) and a VGA camera.
Still no word on launch dates, but with the rate things are going, the market could be flooded with iPads, and iPad apps by the time HP launches this thing.
Source: Engadget
Tags: Apple, HP, HP Slate, iPad, Leaks and Rumors, Tablets
