Aiming to fend off competitors in a bid to expand  Microsoft’s consumer reach, CEO Steve Ballmer announced a new slate computer on 7th January early this year,as he kicked off the annual International Consumer Electronic Show. Teaming up with HP to introduce what they called “Slate PC”, Microsoft and HP unveiled Windows 7-powered touch screen tablet

In an on-stage demonstration at the consumer indusrty’s biggest annual gathering, Mr. Ballmer showed the small touch-screen device, which looked like an enlarge version of Apple’s iPhone. It runs Amazons’s Kindle eReader software and can be used to play games – then main functions expected  to be offered by the  rumored Apple devices.

Introducing the latest machine by Microsoft, Ballmer said ” We’re talking about something that’s almost as portable as a phone and as powerful as a PC running Windows 7. This emerging category of PCs really should take advantage of the touch and mobility and capabilities of Windows 7, and are perfect for reading, for surfing the web, and for taking entertainment on the go. Our OEM partners are doing some great work with Slate PCs that will be rolling into the marketplace this year.”

However, ther were dissappoinments from many as there were no details specifications given on the slate PCs. I personally think that the Slate PCs are not a “wow” announcement as compared to apple’s iPhone when it first announced.  it was more a shiny new thing announcement to add into another Microsoft products. It looks almost similar with a laptop with no keyboard in it (it used multi touch interface). One great feature that impressed me is the “natural user interface” , – which allow users to interact with a device through motions and gestures.

Although it aims to bridge the gap between laptop and smartphones, the size of the machine is considerably big compared to other mobile devices. Besides, there is not much information given by Mr.Ballmer about Slate PC, which many have expected that the devices will feature two 7 inches screens joined by a hinge, the multi-touch screens are designed for writing, with the ability to be controlled by either finger or a stylus. The leaked prototype reportedly includes Wi-Fi, an iPhone-style home button, a camera and even an inductive charging pad similar to the palm’s pre’s Touchstone charger. but it was all not mentioned in his speech on tablet PC.