14 DAY TRIAL // In addition to media tablets, business-oriented slates will appear when Microsoft finally launches the Windows 8 operating system, although not in as high a number.
As one may or may not be surprised to hear, HP is among the companies that will launch a tablet fit for businessmen.
According to murmurs, there is a high chance that it will be part of the EliteBook product line.
For now, though, the rumored “first Windows 8 business tablet” bears the name of HP Slate 8.
The screen size is 10.1 inches, so no surprises here, unless HP somehow equips it with a high-resolution display similar to the Retina.
Given that this is an enterprise product, there isn't as high a need for HD or full HD support. No videos will be played on it after all or, at least, that won't be the point of the product.
Instead, HP focused on security, installing the HP ProtectTools, TPM embedded security and Computrace.
As people may or may not know, many electronics devices get lost or misplaced every year and, oddly enough, laptops are among the most often forgotten in airports or other transport stations, not to mention cabs.
Needless to say, tablets run the same risks, and this can lead to disasters when something holding trade secrets and other business data falls into strangers' hands.
The security features mentioned above should help mitigate the risks, which means that you'll only have to worry about premeditated sabotage attempts.
That said, HP's Slate 8 will be 9.2mm thin and capable of running for up to 8 hours on a single charge, 10 in some cases.
As for the enclosure, it should make use of plastic panels here and there, since wireless Internet and GPS don't run very well when impeded by common chassis metals. Finally, the display will be covered by a reinforced glass panel, probably Gorilla Glass.