HP Slate PC Tablet Review - iPad Tablets and More

engadget reported that Hewlett Packard let slip their internal presentation comparing the upcoming HP Slate PC Tablet and the Apple iPad. The comparison is actually quite interesting, and justified for HP to encourage its employees because the HP Slate seems competitive.

HP Slate dimensions and comparison to Apple iPad below.

View engadget's HP Slate vs iPad Commentary.

Tale of the Tape

Tablet

HP Slate

iPad

Display Size/Resolution

8.9" WSVGA 1024x600

9.7" 1024x768

Processor

1.6Ghz Intel Atom Z530

1Ghz Apple A4

Graphics

Intel UMA

Unknown

Storage

32/64GB flash

16-64GB flash

Storage (upgradable)

Yes(SD card)

No

RAM

1GB (DDR2)

unknown

Connectivity

802.11b/g

802.11b/g/n

Bluetooth

Yes

Yes

3G Optional

Yes

Yes

Network

WWAN

UMTS.HSDPA

GPS

Yes

Some Models

Ports

Card Reader

SD/SDHC/SDXC-128GB

No

Headphones/mic jack

3.55mm h/m

3.55mm audio

USB

1 2.0 port

No

Dock Connector

Power/audio/HDMI/USB

Yes

SIM Card

Yes

micro SIM (3G only)

Software

Windows 7 Home Premium

IPhone OS 3.2

Dimensions

9.21"x5.70"x0.57"

9.56"x7.47"x0.5"

Weight

1.49lbs

1.5-1.6lbs

Battery

30WHr

25Whr

Battery Life

5+ hours

up to 10 hours

Camera

2(VGA and 3MP)

No

Price

$549-$599

$499-$829

/

The Slate wasn't ready for release, had technical issues and got put on the shelf. Instead, HP released the HP 500 to do what the Slate was going to do and more.

Where the HP Slate had the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z540, 1GB DDR2 RAM and 32GB (upgradeable to 64GB) of storage, the HP 500 has been souped up with a newer 1.86 GHz Intel Atom Z540, and comes standard with 2GB of RAM and a 64GB hard drive.

Whereas the HP Slate couldn't handle Windows 7, the HP 500 comes with Windows 7 Professional.

All of these upgrades raised the price, but you can still get an HP tablet PC for under $800.

Click here to get the new HP 500, available from Amazon for less than $800.

The HP Slate and Apple iPad couldn't be any more different, and some of the Slate's features provide significant plusses.

The HP Slate tablet has a faster processor, more storage for the price, Windows 7 (as opposed to Apple's iPhone OS), slightly smaller dimensions and weight, and a better price for the features.

On the other hand, the HP Slate PC Tablet has a smaller screen with lower max resolution.

The HP Slate features a capacitive multi-touch panel, flush to the case, with an ST Micro accelrometer and ambient light sensor.

The iPad also provides an accelerometer and ambient light sensor with a glossy multi-touch panel which is resistant to fingerprint grease.

The HP Slate also allows for the use of a stylus for greater control.

Unlike the iPad, the HP Slate also has two cameras, a 3 megapixel camera on the back facing away for taking pictures, and a VGA webcam on the front facing the user for webcam video.

The iPad boasts a battery that lasts roughly twice as long per charge, making it appealing to active users away from a convenient outlet, but the quality of the batteries means that the Slate's battery should last longer, and neither battery is replaceable without support from the companies.

At first glance, the iPad seems to be less expensive, but this is only for the model with 16GB of storage. If that's alright for you, then a tablet can be had for under $500.

For a 3G model, you'll be paying over $600 for the same storage.

The HP Slate PC Tablet on the other hand is comfortable priced at $549 for 32GB of storage, and for $599 you can get 64GB.

There are other companies working their way into the intermediate tablet market including Archos. Archos provides two devices.

One is the internet tablet Archos 5 which runs the Linux-based Android operating system, and the PC tablet Archos 9 which runs Microsoft 7.

The Archos 9 is comparable to the HP Slate and the Apple iPod, but unlike the others, it has integrated buttons for mouse functions although it will track a finger as well.

Also not yet released is the Notion Ink Adam which also runs Android and has been wowing people at shows with it's adaptive screen. It is still in development and they won't release it until it can run Flash.