The iTablet Tablet Exists and It’s Not Apple Made [UK-Based X2 Computing Company Announced Windows 7-Running iTablet]

Tweet

I can’t say that this move comes totally unexpected. It was only a matter of time until someone, somewhere made a tablet and baptized in an Apple-like manner. As you remember the current iPad was also rumored to be called the iSlate and the iTablet. While the iSlate is currently not used by anyone, it looks like an iTablet tablet already exists.

And it’s not a Chinese-made knock off but a computer developed by a UK-based company, X2 Computing. The iTablet is going to be available at some point in April and it will be fun to see what customers will want to choose between the iPad or the iTablet.

The tablet made by X2 Computing will sport a 10.2-inch widescreen TFT or 12.1-inch widescreen XGA touchscreen capable of 1,024 x 768 resolution. The iTablet will come with multitouch support, a 1.6GHz Intel processor, up to 250GB hard drive, built-in stereo speakers, three USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, a 1.3-megapixel webcam and 3G support. The iTablet will run Windows Mobile 7 and it will sport “stunning slimline bezels.”

So the iTablet has what it takes to beat the iPad, doesn’t it? Windows 7 comes with flash support and multitasking. There are lots of ports that the iPad doesn’t have and there’s even a webcam. The question is, how much will such a device cost? Will it be cheaper than the iPad?

As interesting as it may be the iTablet has a few flaws. First of all multitouch is said to be optional. That’s something we won’t like to hear since multitouch and gesture control represent the future. Furthermore the slim bezel suggests that X2 might not be aware of Apple’s newest patent that wants to bring touch controls to the iPad’s bezel in the future. Last but not least nobody is even mentioning battery performance and dedicated content yet.

So is the iTablet any good? It’s too early to say but it has the potential to become an interesting device. Will it beat the iPad? That’s highly unlikely for now since Apple will have lots of apps, eBooks, music and video shows to throw at iPad users. And we’ve seen how important content these days really is. But the iTablet is definitely going to be a good alternative to other tablets coming later this year and it can successfully fight against most netbooks out there. I wonder if it will come with any kind of stand and keyboard…