By VICTORIA TREIBER
Continuing an old and fierce rivalry, Windows and Apple are going head-to-head in the up and coming tablet computer market.
Although the iPad is more widely known, the HP Slate provides more durability, input ports and capabilities.
The Slate comes with a unique geometric pattern on the back of each tablet. This feature provides a firmer grip on the device compared to the sleek design of the iPad. This design makes the Slate less accident prone than the Apple iPad.
Another attribute that accompanies the HP Slate is the presence of a USB port. This trait provides an easier way to share documents through a portable flash drive. It also allows the gadget to connect with more devices, such as iPods and different picture importers.
The HP Slate runs the full Windows 7 operating system which accommodates other programs like Google Chrome and Adobe Photoshop. Windows 7 runs iTunes but is not compatible with the wide variety of applications available to the Apple iPad, perhaps the slate’s largest weakness. However, the iPad uses the Macintosh operating system, which means it does not run Flash Player. This is a problem for those who want to view movies and television shows online.
Although Windows 7 creates more possibilities, it was not made to be “finger friendly” like the Apple programs and applications. The Windows layout is smaller and was not designed around touch capabilities. Outfitted with a 8.9-inch touch screen, the Slate’s display lacks in size compared to the iPad’s 9.7 inches.
Unlike the iPad, which does not have a camera, the Slate comes adorned with two three mega-pixel cameras: one installed in the front for web chatting and another in the back for taking videos and snapping pictures. Though the quality of the cameras is not outstanding, the feature allows for greater variability of use.
The cameras also make uploading videos and pictures to the Internet less complicated. Instead of using a camera to download pictures to the computer then uploading them to the Internet, the digital media taken on the Slate can be directly transferred to sites like Youtube and Facebook.
Due to its convenience and powerful processor, the target market for the HP Slate is business professionals constantly on the go. The USB port makes it easier to transfer documents, and other files, while the Apple iPad is more family-oriented.
Price points are equivalent. The Slate comes with 32 GB ($549) and 64 GB ($599) of memory, while the iPad comes with 16 GB ($499), 32 GB ($599) and 64 GB ($699) of memory.
The HP Slate provides more capabilities faster processor and installed cameras. Equipped with more features and external ports, the Windows Slate reigns supreme.