HP Slate lookalike spotted in China, might beat the real thing to the market

Once again, China has proven to the world that it's the place to be for all sorts of gadgetry miracle. Just look at this 10-inch Windows 7 tablet here -- it may not be a full clone of the forthcoming 8.9-inch HP Slate, but it does come with a couple of interesting features: a 1366 x 768 resistive multitouch display (ideal for tackling the complicated Chinese characters with a stylus) and a webcam. You'll also find a handful of regular tidbits on this 1.66GHz Atom N450 device: a regular USB port coupled by a mini version, 3.5mm headphone jack, VGA port, LAN port, accelerometer, Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G. Oh, and you'll get a free stand, too, but we'll be minding our own business until this no-frills tablet gets a price.

[TheSunman89 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:23PM]

Better than the HP Slate besides the ristive part...

[uckApple Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:27PM]

@TheSunman89

My heart broke when I read "Resistive"

:(

[Dafrety Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:33PM]

@TheSunman89
Really? I'd actually prefer a resistive screen for something like this, assuming it had an active digitizer. It would be very nice to be able to use a stylus to write and draw with pressure sensitive support.

[liftedngifted1 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:40PM]

@TheSunman89 No Thanks I think I will wait for a WebOs tablet...

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:51PM]

@liftedngifted1

Let's hope the wait isn't too long... *fingers crossed*

[scl23enN4m3 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:52PM]

@Dafrety

I agree. Resistive technology really needs a breakthrough just for the ability to take proper notes.

[Phucpholuc Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:26PM]

@uckApple

Resistance is Futile

[uckApple Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:37PM]

@Phucpholuc

Thats something LordDarthVadar would say..

WHERE THE HELL IS OUR LORD!

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:39PM]

@TheSunman89

We don't know if its better than the Slate, as there have been no official specifications released, only rumors.

Also, I fail to see how this is a "look alike".

A slate is a slate, a big screen with a bezel, I don't see how they expect manufacturers to make these especially unique looking. What do they expect? A round or triangle display? Personally, if this is priced right and doesn't suffer any build quality concerns, I would consider picking one up. =)

[Firehazel Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:40PM]

@TheSunman89 I don't actually mind resistive touchscreens, I'm perfectly OK with them. Price? and Windows version?(no starter, please!)

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:44PM]

@TheSunman89

I don't know about it being better than the HP Slate but definitely more real.....

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:49PM]

@Firehazel

What most people don't realize, is that the quality of the capacitive or resistive touchscreen matters far more than which technology is used.

There are some highly responsive and VERY accurate resistive screens out, and the only limitation of the technology itself I believe is that there is no multitouch which suchs since W7 offers a lot of value there.

But otherwise its like saying that OHC engines are superior to OHV ones, when no one in their right mind would replace the superior OHV Z06 engine with the OHC unit from the Cobra.

[Rockchan Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:04PM]

@TheSunman89

I actually prefer a resistive screen. If I can't use a pen to write on the screen, it is not a tablet, it is just an entertainment device.

I should have bought an ipad if I only want an entertainment device.

[That guy 2 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:29PM]

@TheSunman89 People actually considered this? I thought that stuff from china (kirfs) sucked, and didn't actually come to retail sale, just random china Internet site

[Firehazel Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:52PM]

@Ducman69 It's a multitouch issue. Although no one may admit it, it's still a sells gimmick(albeit a very useful one in practical application). If a device has it, cool. If it doesn't, no biggie. I'm not going to make what kind of technology a touchscreen is a determining factor in a product I purchase.

[MrBigStuff Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:15AM]

@TheSunman89
That thing is a piece of Chinese shyte. How are they even comparing it to the vaporware HP Slate? They need to keep this sort of stuff in China and sell it from a back alley to some Chinese nerdboys.

[jellotime91 Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:25AM]

@Dafrety
Yeah, somehow I highly, highly doubt this thing has a digitizer... >_> Jus sayin.

[Dafrety Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:04AM]

@jellotime91
Of course.
However, I doubt this thing is the only resistive display tablet in the world. Jus sayin.

[Geekelo Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:25AM]

@TheSunman89 I live in Hong Kong, and go to China a lot, I still don't understand why they use resistive when it's obviously 1970s technology!

[Dafrety Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:10AM]

@Geekelo
I don't get why we use TRS connectors! It's obvious that this is 1900s technology!

I don't get why we use steering wheels! It's obvious that this is 1890s technology!

I don't get why we use light bulbs! It's obvious that this is 1880s technology!

I don't get why we use stairs! It's obvious that this is incredibly old technology!

I don't get why we breathe! It's obvious that this isn't even technology!

This is how dumb you sound.

[Extinction Posted Jul 24th 2010 3:36AM]

@Geekelo Cause resistive works better. That's why

[aaricus Posted Jul 24th 2010 4:46AM]

@TheSunman89 I think the HP slate will be running WebOS, unless Microsoft designs something for it and they might of just wanted the patents from Palm. Who knows? Any new HP slate needs to be comparable in price to iPads and *better* in terms of software.

[MatthewBlake Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:03PM]

@Firehazel

You did read the part where it said it was resistive multitouch right?

[McKirf Posted Jul 24th 2010 2:24PM]

@TheSunman89

And of course, it is communist red.

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 24th 2010 4:05PM]

@MrBigStuff

As if all the Macs, HPs, and Dells aren't all made in the factory across the street from these.

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 24th 2010 4:08PM]

@Firehazel

I too didn't realize multitouch resistive displays were possible. If so, and its a quality resistive panel, thats actually a GOOD thing, not a bad one, as sometimes you want to bust out a stylus and not just push buttons with your sausage fingers.

[rockSY Posted Jul 25th 2010 2:13AM]

@uckApple He is reported as last seen holding up a bank at Long island.
http://bit.ly/94Xfja

[silaslang Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:24PM]

And is probably priced around 200$ and is more useful than an Ipad. Almost tempting but I think I will wait for the EXOPC.

[NewBie Posted Jul 24th 2010 12:37AM]

@silaslang I think it will be that price or less since it is the consumer edition of the HP Enterprise Slate :)

[maattp Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:27PM]

Looks sorta decent. Throw in a capacitive touch screen and a good battery and I'm sold.

[DefPoet Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:28PM]

I've always wondered what actually plugs into a mini usb port. Other than a cord ?

[uckApple Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:56PM]

@DefPoet

Mini USB sticks?

[DefPoet Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:41PM]

@uckApple never actually seen one :(

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:28PM]

Looks promising save the 'resistive' touch screen.

Fix that 'issue', and I'd certainly give it a go.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:34PM]

@DaHarder

I do have to ask you Mr Lai, if you consider this tablet/slate 'no frills' even though it includes built-in USB ports, VGA port, LAN port, 720p HD- compatible resolution, and (what clearly looks like) a web camera, then what would that make Apple's iPad... given that it has none of these features?

[Michael Scrip Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:58PM]

@DaHarder -- "USB ports, VGA port, LAN port... then what would that make Apple's iPad... given that it has none of these features?"

So the iPad has no features that make it desirable to anyone? Is it really the number of ports that matters?

If it was, then you'd be right... this tablet is 4 times better than the iPad because it has 4 ports to the iPad's one port.

But it's not. And you wouldn't buy this either.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:20PM]

@Michael Scrip

Firstly - The question was not asked of you, but of Mr Lai, the author of this thread.

Secondly - Never did I state that 'the iPad has no features that make it desirable to anyone", only that if Mr. Lai considers a rather 'full featured' (by anyone's standards) device such as the one in question to be "no frills', then what does that make a device devoid of any of those features?

It's That Simple... N need for any defensive fanaticism, or blatant distortion of the initial question, etc.

[Michael Scrip Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:24PM]

@DaHarder

Oh my bad! I didn't notice that because you replied to yourself! :)

Next time... start a new topic thread to reply directly to the author. And don't start a comment with @yourself

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:28PM]

@Michael Scrip

Thanks for the 'advice', but...

That has nothing to do with your initial (misguided) response to the question presented, regardless of who posted it.

Anyway... Mr Lai, Are You There?

[Firehazel Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:38PM]

@DaHarder I don't think Lai drops down from Engadget Heaven like the other Angels to talk to people like us.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:39PM]

@Firehazel

That does appear to be the case... unfortunately

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:42PM]

@DaHarder

Mr Lai told me I can speak on his behalf and inform you that he does in fact like jalapeños as a pizza topping. I hope that addresses your concerns.

[Michael Scrip Posted Jul 23rd 2010 10:46PM]

@DaHarder

What was my initial response?

I DON'T believe it's the number of ports that make a great device. I even said "But it's not" at the end of my initial comment. I was actually defending the iPad !!!

Frankly... I think Windows 7 tablets are gonna be a joke. And I'm a Windows user!

Read another one of my other comments below. I think it's gonna be very hard to make a Windows 7 tablet run as smooth as an iPad.

I have no problem with the iPad. Carry on :)

[MrBigStuff Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:26AM]

@Michael Scrip
Nerdboys always get excited when they see lots of ports to fill and a desire to fill empty holes. It's probably from spending too much time in the basement. It's always, "Wait until such and such tablet has a half-dozen ports and it will just kill the iPad." How long will this insanity last? Apple will sell about 13 million iPads before the first Android or WebOS tablet reaches consumers hands. Lots of ports don't mean a thing if there's no tablet to plug into. How long can nerdboys put up with empty promises?

Face reality. Tablet components are practically non-existent for high production until Spring 2011. Can't you get that through your pointy heads? Apple has cornered the component makers and the tablet market.

[Stormstrike Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:40AM]

@MrBigStuff

I'd rather wait for a good product than buy something from apple that makes my manparts shrink...

^_^

[DaHarder Posted Jul 24th 2010 1:44AM]

@MrBigStuff
Which again has absolutely nothing to do with my initial question to the OP of this thread.

Enjoy Your Stay In Lack-of-Reading-Comprehension Land.

[sketch42 Posted Jul 25th 2010 2:52AM]

@Michael Scrip
and you would consider the iPad "Feature rich" simply for the Apple logo on the back...

Riiiiiiiiiiiight!

[stab244 Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:29PM]

There are capacitative styluses (stylii?). I saw a few durin my last few weeks in Hong Kong. You can find them in the Golden Computer Arcade. At least they were advertised to work on the iPhone and iPT. Since it works on those, I'm going to assume that they're gonna work on any capacitative screens.

[armodon Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:43PM]

@stab244 i might be wrong, someone correct me if i am. it dont think capacitive touchscreens recogize input from small points. most capacitive styluses are big and blunt. which doesnt really make it any better than your finger.

[DaHarder Posted Jul 23rd 2010 9:47PM]

@armodon

You are 'essentially' correct.

I have purchased 23 different styli for my iPad and/or Lenovo S10-3t, and the smallest tip is approximately 1/8th inch.