HP Slate 7 Android Tablet Specs, Features, Release Date & Pre-orders

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HP introduced the Slate 7, its maiden Android tablet. The $169, 13-ounce slate is coming to the U.S. in April. The popular computer brand Hewlett-Packard (HP) confirmed its first android product and tablet named HP Slate 7. After HP threw in the towel on outing devices with its the web OS platform it had purchased before, the CEO Meg Whitman hinted that the company has to make Android devices to stay competitive in the mobile realm. While that strategy is apparently still been ironed out, HP managed to start slow with the aptly-named Slate 7 - a very downmarket Android tablet with a $170 price tag, ready to hit shelves this month.

HP Slate 7 Android Tablet

The HP Slate 7 just appeared for preorder on a French retailer's site, hinting at a European launch, and the pricing there is €149, making it one of the most affordable Android tablets on the Old Continent, and certainly the cheapest brand-name slate there. The kicker is that the site is taking preorders, but availability seems to be almost two months from now, June 1st, so those who preorder will have some waiting to do.

HP Slate Specifications and Features

• 7 inch display, 1024 x 600 pixel
• 3 MP rear camera
• VGA front camera
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• Dual core ARM processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 8 GB memory, expandable via MicroSD upto 32 GB
• Embedded Beats Audio
• Direct Print Capability
• Stainless Stell Frame
• Colours: Red and Gray
• Initial models are Wi-Fi only
• Slate costs $169 in US
• 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm

HP's only Andorid tablet, the affordable and simply named Slate, should be released in the US this month. HP's official website says so. The Slate costs $169 in the US. But what about Europe? Well, French retailer Rue Du Commerce is taking pre-orders for the HP Slate, asking €149 for it. It's the only European retailer to list the new tablet – as far as we know. Unfortunately for those interested in the Slate here in Europe, it looks like it will only be available starting June 1. But it kind of makes sense for HP to launch it first in its home country, then in other markets. Since it's sold for such a low price, you can't expect the HP Slate to offer high-end features. Still, it's a decent tablet. The Slate has no cellular connectivity, weighs 372 grams, and measures 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm. HP says the tablet battery will go about 5 hours, which if so is nothing to write home about. The HP Slate enters a market that's clearly dominated by Google's Asus-made Nexus 7. Will it be at least mildly successful? Let's wait and see.
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