HP's Slate Spec'ed, Launching June for €400/$546

By Jane McEntegart
published

Up until now there's been very little information available about the HP Slate. The company announced it at CES but specs, a price and a release date were kept under wraps. We knew we'd see it this year sometime, but we didn't know when.

Today Spanish Website Clipset reports that the device will launch this coming June, with a price tag of €400. Though this translates to $546, Engadget suggests that HP won't do a direct currency conversion when it comes to pricing.

Clipset claims to have word straight from HP on this one and goes on to detail some of the device's specs. If the site's sources are to be believed, the Slate will pack Intel's Atom processor, USB connectivity, a memory card reader, a rear-mounted integrated webcam and Windows 7. Perhaps most notable is the presence of Flash support, something the iPad does not have.

While the launch is set for June, European retail availability is set for "before September." No word on whether the Android version of the device will be any cheaper or if it will launch at the same time.

Jane McEntegart
42 Comments Comment from the forums
  • endif
    Wow its like an iPad.... but good.
    Reply
  • HalJordan
    I don't understand, how did HP get their hands on an iPad early enough to reverse engineer it so they could fabricate this clone?
    Reply
  • failboat
    Basically a pricey netbook with a touch screen and no physical keyboard. Still beats the iFail.. I mean iPad.
    Reply
  • sandmanwn
    haljordanI don't understand, how did HP get their hands on an iPad early enough to reverse engineer it so they could fabricate this clone?Quite easy really, they realized that tablet PC's have been around for a decade and they had a dozen designs laying around.

    So they took one of those designs, removed the hinge, and then permanently mounted the screen to the second half and ta-da iPad competitor...
    Reply
  • HalJordan
    sandmanwnQuite easy really, they realized that tablet PC's have been around for a decade and they had a dozen designs laying around.So they took one of those designs, removed the hinge, and then permanently mounted the screen to the second half and ta-da iPad competitor...
    No, no, no...the iPad runs on magic...it is different. It did not exist until Jobs "thought" it into existence. I wish companies would stop copying his ideas.
    Reply
  • bustapr
    I believe this was announced before the iPad. But I thought they said it would be cheaper than the iPad as in less than $500. But I guess its worth it with Win7. I wouldve liked an ULV CPU on this slate as the battery life would be extended, buit the Atom's OK considering the uses for this tablet.I was planning to get a kindle, but if the price drops lower I'll definitely consider buying this.
    Reply
  • bustapr
    failboatBasically a pricey netbook with a touch screen and no physical keyboard. Still beats the iFail.. I mean iPad.I agree that some people can look at it that way, but u have to consider the fact that one of the main purposes of these tablet PCs are ereading. This is easily a giant ereader, Amazon's 10inch kindle cost $489, and it onl;y has long battery life and a good screen. This has alot of value, for book readers, artists, and people who simply like things lite and useful.
    Reply
  • jgiron
    I bet this will sell more that the iPad,
    on the other had Mac might have more lemmings than previously thought.
    Reply
  • sinless
    jgironI bet this will sell more that the iPad,on the other had Mac might have more lemmings than previously thought.
    I doubt it. Slate PCs running Windows might or might not sell more than the iPad, but I'll be boiled in oil before I give certain companies (like HP and Acer) my money.
    Reply
  • coonday
    I'm still waiting to see how the Notion Ink Adam turns out.
    Reply