Acer Designs Tablet with Slider Keyboard

The idea of a tablet with a keyboard that can slide in and out from behind the main body isn't exactly a new one, but it is, apparently, a promising enough one for Acer to try its hand at making something of the sort.

Back when the ASUS Eee Pad Slider showed up, it become one of the few concepts that could appease those tablet hopefuls who also wanted a physical keyboard to work with.

Granted, slates with detachable keyboards, or keyboard docks, seem to be somewhat more popular, especially since one cans imply choose to not buy the accessory if they so wish.

Nonetheless, some companies at least seem convinced that there is a sufficient number of people that like the slider design, sufficient to warrant the making of a new model.

In this case, Acer is reported to have put together a plan that will yield a slide tablet PC sometime during the fourth quarter of the ongoing year.

The device will be put together by Compal electronics and will feature an ARM-based processor platform, possibly the Tegra 3 Kal El or some other chip. Also, the display will have a diagonal of 10 inches.

Of course, not Acer nor Compal commented on the rumors, though this is unlikely to dissuade consumers from speculating.

Nothing was said about the operating system, but it is fairly certain that the Android OS will be utilized, possibly the Ice Cream Sandwich version.

Until more information emerges, those that want a tablet now can take a look at the Iconia Tab A500, especially now that it is about to get an Android update.

What remains is to see how many slates Acer manages to sell before the year is out and if the result is any more promising than the 2.5-3 million currently considered most likely.