You weren't really thinking the iPad was the only tablet computer kicking some ass lately, did you?
Just this week, HP revealed tantalizing details about its HP Slate tablet, and also this week a company called ICD introduced its powerful Gemini tablet with a 1GHz Tegra 2 chip under the hood.
The HP Slate's tech details were leaked yesterday, highlighting its 1.6GHz Intel Atom Menlow Z530 and speedy Intel graphics that can play back "full HD" video in 1080p. Its display's a bit smaller at 8.9 inches, but it's heavy, 1.47 pounds, just like the iPad. It's priced right, too, lower than the iPad at $549 for the 32GB model and $599 for the 64GB model. See the rest of its tech specs in the gallery below, and then wonder along with us how the Slate's Windows 7 OS will compare with the iPad's refined operating system.
Another contender rolled out this week is the most feature-laden tablet yet, the ICD Gemini, packing a seriously powerful NVIDIA Tegra 2.1GHz platform and a bigger 11.2-inch 16:9 screen. It's also able to slice through 1080p video with ease, handily beating the iPad's measly 720p video. Best of all, the Gemini is equipped with the Android OS, opening up the door to lots more variety, and unlike the iPad, runs Flash. Availability and pricing were nowhere to be found for this powerful pad, though.
Now that tablets are suddenly a red-hot category, there will undoubtedly be many more contenders forthcoming, and we see a three-way battle starting up here between the iPad, Android-based tablets, and those running Windows or variants of Windows Phone. The competition will only make all three platforms even better, driving prices down and giving us more features. Maybe someday we'll see Flash on the iPad because of all the competitive pressure.
Engadget, via Geeky Gadgets
