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HP Slate 500 refreshed as Slate 2

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HP refreshes Slate 500 as Slate 2, adds Atom Z670 CPU and Swype.

While most manufacturers are readying their tablets for the launch of Windows 8 early next year, HP looks to be taking the unorthodox route by introducing yet another Windows 7 tablet.

Known as the Slate 2, the new tablet is a refresh to HP’s Slate 500 that was released almost exactly a year ago.  Unfortunately, the refresh doesn’t add much to the tablet, as it still features an 8.9” display with a 1024x600 pixel resolution, a 3MP rear camera and Windows 7. Obviously some changes were definitely made, but they appear to be restricted to an Atom Oak Trail Z670 CPU upgrade, a 64GB mSATA drive and the inclusion of the popular Swype keyboard. 

HP doesn’t appear to have learned a lesson from the demise of their TouchPad tablet, and releasing a new device this soon before the advent of Windows 8 could prove to be yet another disastrous decision. On the other hand, the company is apparently convinced that a market exists for the Slate 2, and the tablet could end up benefitting from a future install of Microsoft's tablet-friendly Windows 8.

The Slate 2 should be available sometime later this month for a price tag of $699.

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Omar Qudsi, 2011-11- 5 (Update: 2012-05-26)