MSI Slatebook Windows 7 Tablet Coming Out to Fight the iPad?

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With the Windows 7-powered HP Slate out of the way, at least for now, we have to search for different iPad competitors capable to really fight against Apple’s tablet. One of these machines could very well be a webOS HP tablet, but that’s still wishful thinking for now. A more real possibility is represented by the MSI Slatebook, a tablet scheduled to be unveiled at Computex 2010 and said to run Windows 7.

We’ve known for a while now that MSI, just like Acer or Asus, is working on at least a tablet of its own. But MSI will not go on record yet when it comes to its tablet intentions. Rumors say that the Slatebook will be revealed at Computex and we can expect it to hit the streets thereafter provided that MSI is happy with the feedback it receives on its tablet endeavors.

The Slatebook is rumored to sport features like a 10-inch touchscreen display, Intel Atom Zxx series processor (Menlow), Windows 7 running in the background, built-in 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. The Slatebook will be priced at $500 and for that price we’re expecting it to offer quite a lot of storage space, USB ports, at least one camera, a great battery and lots of content.

The company is said to be working on various content deals as the Slatebook will also work as an eBook reader, not that we would expect it any other way. But what about apps and an app store?

MSI is also working on a Tegra 2-based tablet but it is going to evaluate the market before making any further decisions. Its eBook reader project has also been postponed and I think it’s safe to assume it will not be made anytime soon. 2010 is definitely the year of the tablet, not the year of the netbook or eBook reader, so that’s where MSI should consider investing more of its R&D funds as soon as possible.