Apple tablet clone emerges

Apple Tablet clone emerges even before the original arrives

Apple hopes to launch the tablet by early 2010. You don’t have to wait that long to be able to flaunt it – a clone of it actually.

The P88 from Long Brother Industrial Co., a manufacturer based out of Shanzai, is the latest attempt at cloning the famous Apple tablet. It sports a 10.2” 1024x600 touch screen and no physical keyboard at all. The CPU is an Intel Atom 1.6GHz. It also comes with 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 3xUSB, VGA, RJ-45, card-reader, earphone, mic, Wi-Fi, reserved 3G and GPS module space. This 1.03kg (as a tablet that’s on a heavier side) machine has a dimension of 280×180×22mm. The battery should be good enough for only about 1.5hrs.

The metallic body gives it a graceful look. One thing that would have been hugely useful would be a stand. A very glossy panel covers the display, and should be difficult to look at in broad daylight. This comes with a stylus as well, and is expected to retail at equivalent of under $440.

On the other hand, the Apple tablet is believed to have a 10” screen powered by an ARM processor. For connectivity the device would use built-in 3G. There were some reports that Apple will use Intel’s Atom processor on the tablet but, it seems those reports were just rumors as Apple will use an ARM based processor courtesy of P.A. Semi (which has been purchased by Apple). ARM based processors are known for its power efficiency and higher battery life characteristics. There is also a rumor that Apple might tie-up with Verizon rather than AT&T for 3G services.