Toshiba Talks Tablets, to Launch by Early 2011

With all the attention that the nascent media-tablet market is getting, even though there are only a few such products actually on sale, it is not surprising to hear that more such items are incoming, especially from established PC suppliers. Of course, most companies' intention to enter the tablet rush has been known for over a month, but it seems that the web frolics at even the slightest mention of the word ‘slate’ or, especially, iPad. Not about to shy away from the attention, Toshiba is also bent on making an impression and, thus, aims to unleash a collection of slates of its own by next year.

It is already known that most PC makers, except Acer, intend to tackle the slate-PC market. Unfortunately, few details as to what these devices will look and act like exist. In fact, the only slate that can be said to have been detailed is the one en route from HP. Toshiba decided that it was time for it to give a small update of its own and, as such, talked to Reuters about its own slate plans.

Apparently, the company isn't going to limit itself to just one hardware configuration or OS. Instead, it will devise a complete line of slates, with different insides depending on the target segments. As such, some will run the Microsoft Windows 7 OS, others will use Google's Android. Furthermore, Toshiba's strategy includes not just iPad competitors (10-inch, cheaper models based on ARM), but also more expensive but feature-packed ones such as dual-screen, Windows-based electronics.

"We definitely see a place for the slate, we see there's a market there," Jeff Barney, general manager of digital products for Toshiba's US division, said. "It'll be expansive like netbooks, it won't be cannibalistic."

So far, the most that reports could manage to find out regarding a time frame was that, while the first slates might debut before the year is out, the first quarter of 2011 would see the greatest contribution from Toshiba in this area.