HP Planning to Beat Apple in Tablet Pricing War

By Jane McEntegart
published

Talk about strategic marketing.

The HP Slate was announced right before the iPad. Clever HP took advantage of all the tablet hype and announced its product right at the beginning of CES. Other companies soon followed; and eventually Apple did announce the iPad later in January. Everyone was shocked that it would start at just $500, as opposed to the rumored $1,000.

Now we learn that HP's Slate PC will be even cheaper. Details about the device are pretty scant; HP is keeping pretty quiet about it. However, we do know that it will run Windows, because Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was actually the person who revealed the product during his keynote speech. The fact that the HP Slate will run a full featured OS is definitely an advantage over the iPad.

Now, a Wall Street Journal report cites sources who say the device will have another advantage; it's going to be cheaper than Apple's iPad. HP nipped things in the bud and announced the Slate before Apple's tablet was revealed. But apparently the computer maker was waiting for the iPad before making some changes to the device, including the price. HP hopes to price the device at under $630; somewhere in the middle of the iPad's price range.

Still no word on a release date the Slate, other than "2010." HP is also said to be making a second version of the Slate that will run Android as opposed to Windows. It's likely that the Android version will be even cheaper. Will you consider buying a Slate? Let us know in the comments below!

Jane McEntegart
35 Comments Comment from the forums
  • whiz
    I am not really sure that a full feature OS will be much of an advantage. Manufacturers seem to keep trying to adapt devices to operating systems that are not meant for that form factor and input/output methods. I would say it is a sane time to ask, do we want just a smaller type of computer to run a generic OS, or do we need devices that are optimized to preform certain tasks in their own way. Instead of bending a OS to suit the limitations of and advantages of a certain type of device, manufacturers in my opinion should seek a closer relationship between software and hardware, and through that convergence give products more purpose and make them stand out as unique devices.

    Just my 2 cents.
    Reply
  • Gulli
    Sarcasm mode/ Beating Apple at pricing, now there's a challenge... /sarcasm mode
    Reply
  • dman3k
    Seriously, Jane, more articles on Apple and yet no information on this:
    http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/02/17/reporter-roughed-up-by-apple-supplier/
    Reply
  • theholylancer
    While windows 7 isn't designed for tablet, but with the touch pack it is perfectly usable with a touch screen device (maybe not as professional work but that is what third party apps are for).

    I have a acer aspire 5738PG that has a fixed screen with touch input, and it works great when I'm in bed and just use it to browse the internet or to annotate notes in class, but I will not use the virtual keyboard when the real full sized one is just under it.

    And IMO multi-tasking will kill ipad, If I can't listen to music, download a new app, read and annotate a pdf, while the device is doing background tasks like updates, I don't the the touch gimmick will work that much.

    Reply
  • A fully featured OS is VERY much an advantage. Anything I can do with my computer at home I'm going to be able to do on my Slate... With Apple Ipad you won't even be able to multitask.
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    Tablet PCs have been around for years and have gone largely unnoticed. It seems that it takes Apples Hype machine to create renewed interest in them. If only the "Crunchpad" hadn't fallen through. Oh well.
    Reply
  • cadder
    I don't think the competition between iPad and HPpad will be on price alone. I think it will be based on "cool factor", apps, who already has and likes the iPhone, etc. It's almost like these devices will be aimed at different markets. OTOH I already have a small portable laptop so I don't need a touch-screen PCpad, they would do basically the same thing. I might find an interest in the iPad because it is a different device with different functionality.
    Reply
  • cookoy
    They announced it first but it's still not released? Only that it will be sometime in 2010. And they're announcing a 2nd version too. Come on. Show us the honey before you talk about the money.
    Reply
  • 830hobbes
    Everyone in the world has beaten Apple in the price war. It's stupid to keep trying that tactic. You really just need to develop a sense of snotty superiority that your products magically endow on your customers. At that point they'll buy anything. This won't work, just like it doesn't work for computers. Thankfully Apple's market share doesn't match up with their popularity.
    Reply
  • El_Capitan
    Is anyone actually interested in these tablets? Any particular reason why? If so, what warrants the high price tag that you can't do on an Ipod Touch, netbook, notebook, or desktop?
    Reply