HP finally released details about its much anticipated Slate product. We now have a name, Slate 500 Tablet PC, and a price, $799, but what seems to be lacking is a clear market for the device. Talk to HP and they are very clear it this isn't a consumer product designed to go up against the Apple iPad, and it is a good thing, too. It would get crushed. That said there is a chance—not a guarantee—that it is could catch on in vertical segments, for a these five reasons.
1. Super Portablity Measuring just 9.2 by 5.9 by 0.6 inches the Slate 500 is smaller than the iPad. At just 1.5 pounds it could make a great data collection tool for the vertical markets it is being targeted to. Namely, education, hospitality, insurance, and real estate. 2. Better Specs than a NetbookThe Slate uses a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of solid-state drive. By using a SSD, there should be a noticeable performance bump compared to most netbooks. It should also boot much faster. The storage capacity is a little limited, but with the SD card slot you can expand it to 64GB.
3. Touch InterfaceWe all know the limits of Windows 7's touch features. Windows 7 is touch aware, but unlike the iOS it wasn't designed solely for touch from scratch. That said, it should do OK for basic data entry tasks. As long as you don't compare it to the interface of the iPad, the 8.9-inch capacitive touch screen should be considered a bonus. Plus, because has built-in Bluetooth adding a mouse or a keyboard is pretty easy for faster data input.
Actually, that isn't quite true. The device will be able to run the same games any Window's 7 systems can run, but it will be a lot different than downloading games from the iPad. I.T. managers will be able to block games and schools can use the Slate as a teaching tool without worrying about students playing Angry Birds in class. The Slate is designed to be managed.
5. Runs WindowsGranted, in some quarters, that isn't a plus. Still, among the business and vertical segments that HP claims to be targeting that is huge. Corporate buyers don't want to develop new software for a tablet, they want to use what they already have. Windows lets them do that. As more and more applications become Cloud-based the advantage will surely weaken, but for now, Windows 7 is a selling for businesses.
My biggest concern with the Slate as a business tool is the price. It is $400 more than the cheapest iPad, $500 more than most netbooks. That is a pretty steep premium. Maybe its slick design and manageability can make up for that, but regardless HP is wise not to try to sell it on retail shelves. This Slate is all about business.
Do you think the HP Slate 500 will appeal to business users? Or will users just bring their iPads in from home? Let me know in the comments section below.