Microsoft, HP, Dell, Sony, and Acer Ready Tablets

Computer makers are developing strategies and readying devices to compete with Apple's iPad, according to a WSJ report.

In the next few weeks, executives from Hewlett-Packard will meet to tweak prices and features on an upcoming tablet dubbed the Slate. It will be similar to the iPad in size and features but cost less.

After doing consumer research in 2008 that showed customers would buy Web-surfing gadgets with a five-inch screen, Dell began developing the Mini-5 which will go to market this year running Google Android.


Mike Abary, VP of Sony's Vaio PC division said, "For us, the iPad launch is a benchmark." Sony already sells touch-screen e-book readers that have limited Internet access and is considering what new devices to develop to compete with the iPad.

Acer is said to be developing products midway in size between a smart phone and a laptop, including an e-reader expected to release this year. Calling it a "tweener category that we're all trying to figure out", the company plans to introduce more iPad like devices in the future.

Microsoft has a group of designers working in a company incubation laboratory in Seattle called Alchemy Ventures. Recently their work on a two-screen tablet, code-named Courier, was leaked online.

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