A recently discovered listing on the HP website has restarted the rumor mill for the HP Slate, the PC maker’s supposed Windows 7 tablet.
PCWorld has uncovered a now-removed webpage on HP’s website that lists not one, but eight different version of the “HP Slate 500″ tablet. Energy Star also lists the product on its website.
Here are the specs, according to HP and Energy Star’s websites:
- Runs Windows 7 Premium
- 8.9″ screen
- Two cameras: video camera for web conferencing and a still camera
- Works with a stylus/pen interface
- 1 GB of RAM (for reference, the iPad has 256 MB)
These numbers fit a previous HP Slate leak from April. In fact, they’re identical. Despite this recent discovery though, we doubt a Windows 7-based HP tablet is coming anytime soon.
Windows 7 Just Isn’t Designed for Tablets
The HP Slate was the subject of months of speculation, especially as it was seen as a viable alternative to Apple’s wildly successful iPad. That was before HP acquired Palm and reportedly killed off the project.
HP originally went with Windows for its tablet because it had few other choices. However, the iPad has demonstrated the need for vibrant touchscreen interfaces in tablet designs. Windows 7 is not an OS designed for touchscreens — it’s one designed for the keyboard and mouse. A stylus wouldn’t suddenly make Windows 7 usable on a tablet.
One of the primary reasons HP bought Palm was to get its hands on webOS. The mobile operating system is far better suited for touchscreen and tablet-sized devices. And while HP has never confirmed or denied the existence of the HP Slate, it has confirmed that webOS tablets are in the works. With webOS in its portfolio, there’s simply no reason for HP to make a Windows 7 tablet.
While these product listings are exciting, they are in no way confirmation that the HP Slate is still in the product pipeline. These are the same specs that were floating around before the Palm acquisition. We hope HP is smart enough to leave the Slate project alone and focus its energy and efforts on a webOS-based competitor to the iPad.
Reviews: Windows
More About: apple, Gadget, HP, HP slate, ipad, microsoft, palm, Tablet, webOS, Windows 7
For more Tech coverage:
- Follow Mashable Tech on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- Subscribe to the Tech channel
- Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad