HP Slate: iPad rival's specs leaked

Specs for HP's Slate tablet PC have leaked like the contents of a dodgy bladder. From the look of it, the company is making a decent fist of mopping up the shortcomings of Apple's iPad. 

HP's recently made much of the Slate's support for Flash, but that's not the only way in which the Windows 7 device seeks to best the iPad. For example, like the iPad, the Slate will be available in 32GB and 64GB versions with optional 3G connectivity, but it will also offer an SDXC card slot for up to 128GB of storage expansion.

Further evidence of one-upmanship is that, unlike the iPad, the Slate will boast an HDMI port for playing back 1080p content on a high-definition TV. There's also a USB 2.0 port, and a 3-megapixel camera on the back, as well as a VGA-resolution camera on the front for video calls. It will also sport a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, whereas the iPad has a 1GHz A4 chip.

But the Slate, charmingly modelled by Steve Ballmer at CES (above), doesn't have the upper hand in all specs respects. Its 8.9-inch capacitive touchscreen is smaller than the iPad's 9.7-inch display, with a lower resolution -- 1,024x600 pixels, compared to 1,024x768 pixels. The Slate's Wi-Fi connectivity is also more limited, with the device supporting only 802.11b/g networks, as opposed to the iPad's 802.11a/b/g/n support. The Slate's battery life isn't as good as the iPad's either -- it's touted at 5 hours, compared to a claimed 10 hours for Apple's device.

UK prices and availability haven't been revealed, but the Slate will sell for between $549 (£360) and $599 (£395) in the US. The iPad ranges in price from between $499 (£330) and $829 (£545), with its UK pricing also yet to be disclosed.

If you like your spec comparisons in table form, start squinting and consult HP's leaked slide below, originally posted by Engadget. Then let us know your thoughts in the comments section. What do you make of the Slate? Are these specs enough to convince you not to buy the iPad later this month? Or have you already consigned all tablet PCs to the technological dustbin of deficiency?