HP “Slate PC” Revealed by Microsoft at CES 2010 [Courier Tablet Nowhere to be Found]

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Just yesterday we told you how we’re expecting Microsoft to reveal its Courier tablet during its official keynote at CES 2010. The device, supposedly made by HP, should have been revealed last night but Steve Ballmer and Co. ignored it completely. The Courier hasn’t been launched or officially mentioned yet so we might never see it in stores.

A 12-inch HP tablet was also leaked yesterday and Kevin did tell you all about it. Coincidentally what Steve Ballmer announced last evening was a HP “Slate PC” that didn’t really make an impression. Don’t get me wrong, HP, that unnamed tablet might really be a great computing machine, but it simply lacks the “aww” effect.

Is Microsoft waiting to see what the Apple tablet looks like? Is Redmond going to announce the Courier only after Apple comes clean with its own device? I really hope that Microsoft is ready to innovate and not going to imitate a product that’s about to arrive soon.

Microsoft’s Wednesday CES keynote was therefore a big disappointment. Lots of people were expecting the Courier and got instead the HP slate PC. In fact, Steve Ballmer showed three slate PC prototypes versions and the devices should be available later this year. The HP slate PC will come with features like multitouch support and instant-on capabilities. Archos and Pegatron will also make similar products but we don’t have any details about them at this time. No prices and availability dates have been made available and I have a feeling we’ll see those details by the end of the January, right after Steve Jobs shows to the world Apple’s newest creation.

So what do you say, folks, are you ready for your first tablet / slate PC in your life? It looks like both Apple and Microsoft are ready to embrace the new trend and a new page of the Apple vs Microsoft war is about to be written. What side will you choose?