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The Apple iPad or the HP Slate 500

The Apple iPad or the HP Slate 500

The iPad will it be Slate’d?

Well the “will it won’t it be released” question has now been answered.  The HP Slate 500 has now been released, but will it reach these shores.  HP has released the Slate to America, but it seems that it will only be rolled out to the rest of the world if it seems to be economically viable (if there is demand and they can make money).

There has already been some feedback from users that there are a few problems with the Slate.  The main issues seem to be the boot time and also the Windows 7 Operating system is not designed with touchscreens in mind, so does not work as smoothly as Apple’s.  It may not be as smooth to operate as the iPad, but can I overlook this for more functionality?  The Slate tries to address some of the features sorely lacking on the iPad, such as USB support, Adobe Flash compatible browser and full business application support.  

Whilst there is a lot to like about the iPad, I still find that the device does not have the flexibility I require and therefore find myself reaching for the laptop and not the iPad.  The famous lack of Adobe Flash has become increasingly more annoying as time has gone on.  Too much of the internet is constructed with Flash to ignore it.  Apple seems to think that the only people who require Flash just want it to watch porn etc.  In recent months, I have found myself unable to watch training videos, take an online exam, configure my new car, listen or watch on demand content such as Channel 4 OD, configure my NAS, the list seems endless now.

Getting documents or files to my iPad and then manipulating them is also not as straightforward as I would like; something I hope will be easier with the Slate.  The iPad’s lack of network share support as standard and poor office suites means that even if you can get it to the device it may not look as you expected.  Although Office Apps are getting better, it is still a long way from wanting to construct Docs on the iPad itself, but is rather more of a viewing device.  I also find that PDFs seem to go missing when sent as emails and funny work arounds such as having to save the PDF from a mail the reattaching to a new mail have to be performed.

My favourite iPad apps seem to be the ones I use to remotely connect to a device with more functionality.  I love Citrix Receiver, Team Viewer, Logmein and also Splashtop, but is this not defeating the purpose of the iPad.  Maybe not, the iPad is just a great piece of hardware, I hate the software, but the ease and mobility of the device is fantastic.  This may be why I am so excited about the day a piece of hardware this good has the software compatibility I require.  I do not think the HP Slate will be everything I have ever dreamed of, but it shows those days are not far off.

Will I be looking to buy HP’s Slate if it comes to the UK?  Of course I will.  Will I be happier than I have been with the iPad?  We all use computers in different ways, so only a personal hands on test will answer that question.