Many regard the iPad as a simple, bulky as well as clunky device. Some even consider that the Slate developed by HP is a superior tablet device. But due to the specifications provided by Engadget, it is possible to compare the two platforms.
Windows 7 is not created for touch-based devices. The most common critical point concerning the iPad is its operating system. In fact, it is necessary to make some tweaks as a full-on OS does not work on such devices. They are not designed for the touch word. No skin as well as interactivity gained via gestures are unable to correct that.
The iPad was criticized for its weight, one should admit that it is not considered to be a handheld device so its weight is not so critical. As for the HP Slate, it is slighter but still the difference is insignificant. It is a bit smaller as well as thicker compared to the iPad.
As for the price the Slate is not necessarily cheaper than the iPad. The 16GB model costs $499 while 32GB of Slate has a price tag of $549, but one should assume that devices, based on Windows 7, are offered with a good deal of space.
The iPad promises a long battery life that seems close to reality. As for the HP Slate, it offers just half battery life of its competitor, it is due to a desktop OS which needs more computing as well as processing power.
In fact, the Slate bests the iPad in several aspects which are a memory expansion slot, forward and outward facing camera.
the ipad is not a computer, it still cannot do simple things like open winzip files or play other media files like wmv files. it means i could NOT take it on a trip and feel confident it can do what i need it to do. that being said i am sure it will have it’s followers, it’s a great device, but it should not be compared to an actual computer. Installing EFAX or some similar document manipulating software truely negates any comparison at all.
I agree with your review actually, As per the latest news coming in, HP Slate is estimated to cost around $546 while iPad prices starts at $499 for the base 16GB model and which goes up to $599 and $699 for the 32GB and 64GB models
“Windows 7 is not created for touch-based devices.” Really??? Seems it was built in to the OS.
“The engine driving the touch capabilities in Windows 7 is Windows Touch, software that provides the ability to manipulate items on a screen using gestures and more than one finger at a time — up to 100 touch points, in fact. Windows Touch recognizes about half a dozen different gestures, including single and double taps, dragging, rotating, flicking, zooming in and out, and a special tap that equates to a right-click on a mouse.” (source: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/jan10/01-07win7touchapps.mspx)