News Week of April 4, 2010

Windows netbooks versus Apple iPad: Victory goes to Microsoft

ABI Research says that it expects a total of 4 million tablets to ship next year, including the iPad as well as the little-known Archos 5. That number pales in comparison to the 35 million netbooks shipped last year, and a greater number of netbooks that will ship this year.

So when it comes to the category of devices between laptops and smartphones, netbooks win hands down. And given that most netbooks ship with Windows on them, this round goes to Microsoft. (Source: Preston Gralla, Computerworld)

HP Slate Details Leaked: $550 Netbook, Minus Keyboard

The Slate will come in two sizes: a 32-GB model for $550 and a $600, 64-GB version. This compares favorably to the iPad, which costs $600 for 32 GB. On the �advantages� side, the HP lists an SD card reader, a USB port, HDMI-out, a VGA webcam, a 3-megapixel camera and a �conventional� SIM-card tray (the iPad uses the new micro-SIM).

Inexplicably, the 1.6-GHz Atom Z530 is also counted as an �advantage,� presumably due to the familiarity of the name rather than its actual performance. The Slate will also contain 1 GB RAM, weigh the same 1.5 pounds as the iPad and sport a widescreen 1024 x 600 display. This is, despite the name and capacitive touchscreen, a netbook with the keyboard removed.  (Source:  Charlie Sorrel, Wired)