MSFT, HP Slate PC to Beat Apple to Tablet Punch

By Jane McEntegart
published

Word on the street says Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer will reveal the device tonight.

Pretty much everybody is tired of hearing about the Apple tablet. The device isn't even official but the Apple rumor mill is known for being tireless and incredibly loud. We're bored, Apple fans are bored and PC fans are bored (in fairness, PC fans were probably always bored). Today, a new rumor came crashing down: Microsoft is launching a tablet of its own as part of a collarboration with HP.

Ashlee Vance from the New York Times reports that Steve Ballmer will unveil a slate PC at his CES keynote taking place this evening. According to Vance's sources, "Mr. Ballmer will show the as-yet-unnamed H.P. device, which will be touted as a multimedia whiz with e-reader and multi-touch functions."

Tuan and Devin will be in Vegas this evening to bring you the news. They've actually already started their very first road trip together and are on the road to Vegas as we speak. They'll be playing four hours of I Spy, 20 Questions and any number of crappy games involving out of state license plates just for you guys. All together now, awwww!

More on CES 2010.

Jane McEntegart
22 Comments Comment from the forums
  • fatkid35
    hope tuan and devin just watched the hangover. that way they know how to roll! i want pictures of them with tysons tiger!
    Reply
  • zak_mckraken
    Driving to Vegas? Tom's can't afford plane tickets for their reporters? You guys must really love your job! Or is it because of the new safety rules in airports? If they want to get in Vegas in time for the show this evening, they better drive than fly there.
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    zak_mckrakenDriving to Vegas? Tom's can't afford plane tickets for their reporters? You guys must really love your job! Or is it because of the new safety rules in airports? If they want to get in Vegas in time for the show this evening, they better drive than fly there.
    I think it's about half and half when it comes to who's decided to drive and who's flying. Tuan wants to drive because having a car on hand is really useful. I think avoiding the new safety rules is just a bonus.

    Went through London the other day and they had a girl play her bagpipes just to make sure they were bagpipes.
    Reply
  • mrcmark
    Mr. Steve Ballmer, Sir this better be revolutionary.
    Reply
  • pbrigido
    Maybe it is just me, but I can't seem to get excited over tablets...regardless if is by Apple or MS/HP.

    Now on the other hand, if a netbook/laptop came out that had dual lcd screens (one for viewing and one for typing on) that is passively cooled, has a SSD, I would be game. I am all for eliminating moving mechanical parts.
    Reply
  • lifelesspoet
    To be fair, apple hasn't been first to a new market in 25 years.
    Reply
  • kravmaga
    pbrigidoMaybe it is just me, but I can't seem to get excited over tablets...regardless if is by Apple or MS/HP. Now on the other hand, if a netbook/laptop came out that had dual lcd screens (one for viewing and one for typing on) that is passively cooled, has a SSD, I would be game. I am all for eliminating moving mechanical parts.
    Touchscreen keyboards have been tried and rejected before. Without some physical feedback on your fingertips, typing fast with that thing feels like trying to run in the dark with a headlamp, meaning you'd need to look down, then up, then down, then when you make a typo, you'll probably hit 3 wrong keys before finding the backspace key without looking. You'd give up, screaming for the head of idiot responsible for that idea on a stick before you could ever get used to it and force yourself to like it.

    And as much as I approve of the benefits of passive cooling on chips and SSD, in this world those factors translate into ultra low performance cpu and outrageously high cost for little storage, respectively.
    Reply
  • ckthecerealkiller
    My PSP is more appealing as a reader considering the price of tablets. I'm
    only interested in new PC hardware.

    A 4 hour drive is nothing. You figure it takes 2-3 hours to fly when you include parking, walking to the terminal, going through security, flying, going back through security, and getting transport to the CES.
    Reply
  • christop
    The price will beat apple...
    Reply
  • mdillenbeck
    I'm confused... I thought HP already had a line of convertable tablet pcs and there were several manufacturers making slate tablet and convertable tablet pcs. I seem to remember a Microsoft Windows XP Tablet edition, along with tablet support with Vista and Windows 7. Then there was the Asus T91 which is a netbook "tablet".

    As to e-readers, I am waiting for plastic logic's premiere on the 7th... to me the idea of an e-reader with a plastic display that won't shatter when knocked around in my backpack (or dropped when crammed into a rush hour bus) and is suppose to have the size/weight of a pad of paper sounds far better than anything out there. I hope it lives up to its promises (unlike the T91).
    Reply