Digital Home Thoughts: A Peek Into the Upcoming HP Slate

"Each develops a gadget that Apple does not spare those who come after announcing that they have a replacement. Just as there are a lot of iPod Killers (still waiting) and iPhone Killers (Hello?), now has been the range of IPAD Killers. Case to light, the HP Slate. We had a short in our hands."

The review, in Spanish (translation through Google here), looks at a pre-production HP Slate, so I would take some of the comments with a grain of salt. The one thing I do take away from it is that HP seems to have considered the Slate a netbook sans keyboard, which I believe to be a mistake. It seems that after years of tablets, both convertibles and slates, manufacturers should be aware that a different interface is what is needed, and this is where competition against the iPad needs to be made. I am reminded of the lesson that Microsoft learned with Windows CE and then the PocketPC OS/Windows Mobile. When Microsoft first came out with Windows CE, they mirrored the Windows 95 interface which failed horribly. Then they tried what is seen up to Windows Mobile 6 which still has its limitations. The form factor dictates a different interface. As it stands, it looks like the HP Slate will be a disappointment. Anyone still interested in getting one?