The now confirmed HP Slate Windows tablet looks to take over your netbook needs

After months of speculation and reports of the development, termination and then revival of the Slate tablet PC project, Hewlett Packard finally confirms that their eagerly awaited tablet PC is finally here and will be up for sale very soon.

Inside

 We have been hearing about the Android as well as the Windows version of the tablet, but here we have the confirmation about the HP Slate 500, which is a Windows 7 powered tablet that packs in an Intel Atom Z540 processor and is supported by an Intel GMA 500 graphics card, 2GB of RAM and 64GB of solid state storage.

Outside

Featuring an 8.9-inch multi-touch display panel that has a maximum resolution of 1,024 x 600 pixels (or 1024 x 768 pixels in case of a few apps), the Slate 500 can also be provided input by an HP Slate Digital Pen. What’s more, you get a webcam, two USB ports and a 3-megapixel camera at the rear. To be specific, the Slate 500 will be shipped with the Windows 7 Professional Edition. The textured back should provide some grip while holding it over one hand to write mails or browsing web. We would have liked a folding stand. There is a dock that comes separately though, but you’ll still got to pay for it.

Connectivity

Connectivity will be through the 802.11 b / g / n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with provision for adding mice, keyboards, USB sticks or printers to it via USB ports provided.

Cons

On the downside, the HP tablet will not feature an app store and being targeted for the enterprise sector, HP reportedly assumes its client companies will build their own apps to run on the tablet. Now talking about competition, the HP Slate 500 is surely no iPad killer, being targeted for the enterprise and not the consumer. On the other hand, since the enterprise tablet market is fresh and very scarcely populated, the HP Slate 500 stands a very good chance to carve a niche for itself.

Pricing and availability

So what is the HP Slate 500 going to cost you? Well the Windows powered HP enterprise tablet is going to lighten your pocket by a good $799. However, the tablet is not all you get at this high price, the package also includes a dock, a portfolio cover for the device and the Digital Pen. The device will be available for purchase from the HP website and HP authorized retailers very soon.

Check out the promotional video from HP below.

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