What's going on with the HP Slate?
By Nilay Patel 
posted June 17th 2010 9:13PM
posted June 17th 2010 9:13PM
Harry takes this new silence to mean that the HP Slate is dead, and we're beginning to think he's right: although we haven't heard anything concrete, we definitely noticed HP's absence at tablet-heavy Computex, and at this rate, the Slate's rumored 1.6GHz Atom Z530 will be hopelessly out of date by the time it launches -- Intel's now showing off Moorestown Atom Z600 tablets and it's got the Windows-tablet focused Oak Trail Atom planned for early next year. The window's closing a little more with every passing day -- at this point, HP needs to come clean just so we can all move on to waiting for the Hurricane.
Maybe they don't want people to know everything about it to create a little hype?
I wish HP, Verizon and Google hurry a little more with the new tablet !!! I'm almost buying a freaking iPad !!!
@IIsaac WebOS tablet kthxbai.
@Teerim
create a little hype?
I'm pretty sure after the initial hype it's just been going downward, because everyone knows how poorly Windows runs on low-end hardware x86, not to mention it's just not suitable for tablet use, and if anything, the quite has raised hopes of a webOS alternative
@JeremyBenthem
i use my tablet on an su4100 with integrated graphics which id consider low end and it runs photoshop and illustrator fine... im pretty sure a new atom would best my machine
@Teerim
More than likely they went back to the drawing bord. If they play their cards right they can make an awesome device.
@daytripper
*board*
@Punisher Plum An SU4100, while low end, is still better than an Atom, unless it's up against one with Ion2.
@JeremyBenthem
Tablet is a device. How it can be useful is determined by user.
No matter how good you think the current iPad is. It is not something that is good for productive use, especially for PC users.
You may define "tablet" as only "an entertainment device". However, those people who defince "tablet" as "a laptop/netbook without a keyboard" will surely disagree with you.
@JeremyBenthem Windows 7 is actually very nice for Tablets. Definitely prefer the native UI to some of the UI shells out there (Like TouchSmart). Also prefer it to the iPad since I can run real programs like Office and Adobe Creative Suite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBtEhQqS1dw
@Rockchan As someone with both a vaio x and an ipad, all I can say is 90% of the time I am using my ipad now.
@IIsaac
If you want a tablet, don't get an iPad.
@jaffreywali
For typing document? Using spreadsheet? Powerpoint? Photoshop?
Could you tell us whether iWork in iPad is 100% compatible with Office 2003 or Office 2007 that many people are using in their PCs?
If you go for a business trip, can you simply bring an iPad or you need to bring both an iPad and a laptop?
It is fine to use iPad as just an entertainment device. However, it is another story when we talk about productive use, the availability of different kind of software and the compatability of software to the one in our PCs.
@jaffreywali
Its weird, because now that they announced the iPhone 4, I dont even care about all other slates / phones / devices.. lol
The dam thing has:
- 1GHZ CPU
- 512MB Ram
- 32GB Storage
- SVG 535 GPU
Im good to go, for the next, forever.
@JeremyBenthem Nonsense, Windows 7 on this would run roughly the same it does on the average netbook. Likely even more so since this would be using next-gen atom processor, versus the old N270s that most are familiar with.
There is absolutely no reason a tablet of this size should not run a real full operating system.
Leave WebOS for the mini-version dubbed the Hurricane running weaker hardware.
@uckApple By that logic, you'd be enthralled by the HTC Evo as well, with its monstrous specifications.
Even the EVOs screen is dwarfed by a tablet though, and it can't run a full computer grade operating system. Yet alone the iPhone which has an even smaller screen.
So even if it could run a full operating system and had the processing power of a modern netbook, imagine using your desktop with a 3" CRT, lol! There's only so much you can do with that little realestate. =p
@IIsaac
WTF does verizon have to do with this?
Where does HP and Google see eye to eye?
@IIsaac
Wow.. Here's a real smart consumer... Please please please [inexperienced company trying to come out with a derivative product] come out with a [derivative product with zero track record] I'm almost buying a [uber Successful product that's in stores today, as opposed to 9 months from now, with millions of happy owners]!!
@Rockchan
okay fine, you're right, it is determined by the user,
now lets think about what HP is thinking when they talk about releasing this device, is this going to be useful to the overall consumer, or just a niche market of tech-savvy people?
bottom-line is the Slate wasn't something that they envisioned for those who need to do content creation or for use in office environments
@JeremyBenthem
Exactly, hope for webOS is hype. People don't want Windows 7, they originally said no webOS on tablets...now they say nothing about the tablets....uhhh 1 + 1 = 2, webOS on a fairly powerful tablet.
@Teerim
Sorry, people do want Windows 7, but I meant to say HP probably dropped it. It is clear that webOS is a much, much lighter OS, and definitely less capable than Windows 7, but add a few apps for functionality, and boom u got a device where you can take anything with you on the go. It won't be the full desktop experience, but it's pretty darn good for the device.
I got the iPad, and yea it won't modify files amazingly well, but it does it enough to let me be slightly productive vs no productivity.
HP Slate
R.I.P
2010 - 2010
"I will change the world"
@Rockchan The obvious flaw with your assessment of "productivity" is that not everyone's productivity involves the same tools - for instance, while an AfterEffects user would not be able to work at all on an iPad, another person writing, developing proposals, and/or doing research on the internet. etc. could be very productive based on the amount of work they could do with the iPad's battery lasting so long.
I just think it's more case-to-case than you admit.
@JeremyBenthem
"It's dead, Jim."
In actuality, the HP Slate was stillborn at birth. D.O.A. For ten long years Microsoft has tried to sell a consumer Windows tablet and it has always resulted in failure. One more year won't make a difference. The biggest slap in the face to Microsoft and Windows fanboys is that Apple knocked it out of the park on the first swing. Not only knocked it out of the park, but sent it into an adjoining stadium.
@MosesusedaniPad
Actually, Apple made three (fairly successful) attempts to get it right. Steve Jobs now claims the iPhone came out of the iPad program.
But they didn't really get it right; only close enough that the iSheep all lined up to get one.
(No replaceable battery, no usb ports, no flash memory slots, no ability to print directly.)
Anybody else glance at the screen real quick and first thought upon seeing the picture being "oh, another ipad article"?
@SoulWeaponry Actually I thought "oh, another 'iPad-killer' article."
@grub
Me too. I immediately thought, "oh great... here's another tablet coming to market with the hopes of "killing" the iPad."
What I want to know is... how can you "kill" the iPad when by the time these new tablets are commercially available... the iPad will have sold 4 million?
Can we get a ruling on what the definition of the word "kill" is?
Bill Clinton?
@grub
While I'm hoping a WebOs tablet WOULD kill the iPad, the fact being it's an apple product, so people buy it. MadTV did a skit on the "iShelf" and it was so true. Im gonna sit back and hope for either a WP7 tablet or a WebOs one......
@SoulWeaponry I noticed it had ports.
@SoulWeaponry
I actually looked at the title first. My reaction to slates (tablets without keyboard) is MEH, but apparently a decent amount of people are excited about this product category (which has stagnated until Apple revived it with the iPad). Really hard to tell how much of it is an extension of enthusiasm for existing Apple products (iPod -> iPhone -> iPad, or MacBook -> iPad) or is it really a category that will hold its own (meaning like the smartphone category it will be huge and be split over many players).
And I think a lot of people want something to "kill" (or at least strongly compete with) the iPad simply because of Apple-hate and not really because they really want to buy a slate. It'll be interesting for Engadget to do a survey to see how many readers actually plan to buy a slate in the near future.
@VSpike915 There is actually a very good reason why people buy Apple products. (And the buyer-satisfaction rates prove this...) The products are a joy to use. Personally I would always go for an Apple product, just to reward their dedication to progress, innovation and quality. As opposed to Windows mediocrity, conformity and tedium.. The very sight of a Windows logo deadens the soul. Life's too short to put up with that.
@Alex McKenna
I agree, I own a mac Pro, iPhone, iMac, apple TV and and iPod classic.
But some people will just go for the Apple product simply because it's "Apple"
Hey they're probably working on putting WebOS on it. why don't you make up some positive rumors about it like you do EVERYDAY with Apple?!
@Shalabi What exactly have I made up here? It's not like we told HP to not ship this thing for six months and then buy Palm.
@Shalabi Settle down now... The world isn't plotting against you.
@Nilay Patel
I think people are being unreasonable right now.
Did you see all the people freaking out because you spelled Hyundai wrong?
Geez guys, If you can do a better job, go start your own tech blog and get review units, write reviews, proof read them, etc...
@Nilay Patel It's a KINspiracy.
@Shalabi
My god I am so tired of people saying there's some Engadget-Apple conspiracy going on. IMO the editors are all very balanced. Also, if you don't like Engadget don't read it.
@EggoEspada Im just sick of these Apple 'rumors' that come up all the time and never come to fruition. Google: engadget verizon iphone
@Shalabi I second this... Apple intros new camera adapter for ipad! We go hands on... No one cares, Engadget. Show us the same journalism and reviews across the board, and we can take those pathetic Apple ones for what they are.
@Physicsguy89 Google "Engadget bias". Only one company comes up in the results, so apparently some disagree. =p
Its ok, everyone has a bias, its human nature. Good journalists/bloggers do their best to simply put it aside, not deny it exists.
@Nilay Patel Take note of the tone/spin though.
The RUMORED (not official) release date was June 2010. Heck, its even on the product wiki. So it is hardly 6 months behind rumored schedule, the month isn't even over yet.
Then comments such as "at this rate, the Slate's rumored 1.6GHz Atom Z530 will be hopelessly out of date by the time it launches" is interesting to note considering that processor was released at the same time as the P8600 (think thats the right one) powering the much adored Mac Mini of which there was no mentioned of how antiquated that choice was since there is newer Intel chips available.
Its not unreasonable to just ask for consistency regardless of brand. =)
PS: Speaking of "rumored processors" being a negative talking point, not only would that be a relatively easy change for HP to make (assuming they were set on the 530), but I hope Josh doesn't pull this article since "we don't have all the facts" yet. ;D
Your lack of logic amuses.
Bravo!
iPad FTW!!!!!
@henrytai72
Not everybody bows to Stevie...
what it really needs is a little bit of this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjvnkxV-uU
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!
god damn it -.-