HP confirms that Slate is still kicking, 'next steps' being determined
By Joanna Stern 
posted July 21st 2010 12:28PM
posted July 21st 2010 12:28PM
We were quite surprised (to say the least!) to see the original Windows 7 HP Slate 500 appear yesterday on the company's site, and HP officially confirmed this morning that the product is still very much in the works. The outfit's not sharing much, but a spokesperson from its Personal Systems group did tell us that they're "in customer evaluations now and will make a determination soon on the next steps." It all seems very vague and mysterious at this point, but the evidence is surely mounting that we'll be seeing HP join Microsoft's "hardcore" tablet push.
Cool. Let the fun begin (read: baby steps with iPad, walking with Slate, others....). And (for me) Win 7 is a MUST!! BUT.....
If this comes with the usual 30% to 50% HP premium, then I'm still in 'wait mode.'
HP needs to add a better cpu .. something like a AMD K125 or
the new Atom D525. A 16GB or 32GB version with Win7 Pro
thats designed for a tablet. Not, a standard Win7 build ... it would
run it into the ground. Also, a big battery is a most .... If you can't
get 11 hours out of it at a seating. You are most likely going to fail
and no one is going to buy it.
Now lets get phone 7 tablets rolled out..
http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2010/5/windows-phone-7-concept-tablet.jpg
Looks beautiful doesn't it? Now just actually develop it... haha
So what about webOS?
@leigh I am cribbing the idea from a commenter on another article but it would be beyond bad-ass for this thing to boot both WebOS (like the quick-boot Linux installs on Asus systems and the like that no one uses because they are not very good) and Win7 when more muscle and/or use of the built-in digitizer is required. Man I would sell some stuff to buy that for sure, assuming the battery lasted for at least 2 hours on a charge.
@leigh
HP hinted they would make two tablets.
A non-pocketable HP Slate, that would run W7, and be based on more powerful netbook hardware.
A pocketable HP Hurricane, that would run WebOS, and be based on cellphone class hardware.
I have a Windows 7 tablet with an Atom processor. The processor works fine. The biggest issue is the RAM and the need to optimize Windows, which the user will need to configure. A Windows 7 tablet needs 2 GB of RAM. The extra 1 GB makes a huge difference. Mine is very responsive and I enjoy using it.
If I didn't have my current machine, I would not consider this tablet because HP is manufacturing it and I have awful luck with HP equipment.
Come on HP. My money is waiting for you. Release it already.
Good news. Will make the next few months even more interesting.
@deedeedee
What do you call the years of egging the blogosphere on about an imminent Tablet? Apple is the master of using the Media.
@deedeedee
You know you're dead right. There wasn't a word about the iPad anywhere and then BAM! iPad in your face! I mean, it came straight outta left-field didn't it?
I think:
Slate will be a full featured Win7 tablet ~$1000
Palmpad will be a webOS tablet like the iPad ~$500
I'm loving my Acer 1820ptz (With SSD drive or it might not be so great), with the desktop set to 125% display.
Also still using my Asus R2h, even though it's not exactly the most practical device or fastest in the world.
There is nothing wrong with Windows on a tablet, even 'if' its not perfect. I think people just say things to sound 'clever' like 'Uh, WebOS' etc. How many people have used it? Why haven't all these people already run out and purchased a tablet with Ubuntu? It BAFFLES ME.
I'll repeat, once you actually 'use' Windows (Especially 7) on a tablet, you may find its great but all I hear is people REPEATING what others have said without actually trying! How many people have owned a Windows Tablet? Ever tried a HP TC1100? A Samsung Q1 Ultra perhaps?
Was anyone able to actually find this thing on the HP website? I couldn't locate it...
Best news all day!!!! :)
did somebody saw this page on hp? https://h30406.www3.hp.com/campaigns/2010/promo/hpsl/index.php
I'm still waiting for the DoJ to weigh in on the HP Slate. People saying the Slate was dead months ago is really sounding like stock and market menipulation, especailly will the timing the rumor started.
@Garst
Why are you waiting for HP to bring out a tablet that won't even be running their own OS? That is if it's running windows 7.
Don't you already have a pc that runs windows 7?
@pspitts
Huh? Thats like saying there is no point to owning a Windows7 netbook if you already have a desktop or large laptop. *facepalm*
And when HP releases it with a list price of $899, you all will bitch and moan that it's too expensive. If they cheap it out and cut corners to get a $600 price, you all will bitch and moan that it's too underpowered to run W7 the way you like.
@Ed T
Of course value matters. And this is really just a netbook without the keyboard and hing mechanism, with touchscreen capability.
Therefor the is no technical reason for it to cost much more.
If its reasonably priced with a N550, I'm buying a few for my family. Period! :D
I'll definitely order on... HP go ahead, just release it
Oh great, another product that will fail and cease production just like that crap kin phone, in palm's case the dam company folded!
Just three words:
Told.
Ya.
So.