A small French company called ExoPC is one of the first to come out with its own iPad-like tablet computer — the ExoPC Slate — based on Windows 7.0 Pro. The company even borrowed the slate name that most analysts preferred for the iPad,
Feature for feature, it is remarkably similar to the iPad, and it shows how easy it is to come out with the feature set that Apple has pioneered on the iPad. In other words, the iPad will sell not because of its innovation, but because it’s from Apple.
The ExoPC Slate is an 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 touch screen device running an Intel Atom N270 at 1.6 GHz with 2GB of internal ram and 32 GB of storage, all for the same price as the equivalent 32 GB iPad at $599. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have one with less memory, so the bottom-end iPad undercuts it by $100.
But a number of those complaints that apply to the iPad — such as no Adobe Flash support and no true USB connections — do not apply to the ExoPC Slate, which has both.
It also has the missing 1.3 megapixel Web camera, which many noted was missing from the iPad.
It looks like ExoPC took all the rumors about the iPad and built a machine that had more or less all the same features, so that when the iPad came out minus a few, it would have an edge. It also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, plus an Ethernet port and an SD Card reader.
But then the downsides emerge, and they’re caused by Intel chips and Microsoft software. The device has just a four-hour battery life; at least the battery is replaceable, so you can buy a spare. It is also 100 grams heavier than the iPad. The ExoPC Slate will be out in March, matching the iPad’s debut.
ExoPC takes a stab at French video tablet maker Archos by offering a point-by-point comparison chart with its Slate, the Archos 9 Tablet and the iPad. See: http://www.exopc.com/fr/exopc-slate-comparer.php
The device promises not to look like a Windows machine but will have its own touch UI laid on top of Windows — similar to a number of recent cell phones such as the HTC HD2.
Of course, no one in his right mind will buy one of these. It doesn’t matter how good the UI is; it isn’t the iPhone UI. And if it looks like it is, Apple is just as likely to sue. We’re not sure why small companies think they can mix it up in a fight with Apple, (and why isn’t the Android OS?). Expect many, many of these, but it will be the top-end PC makers, perhaps ASUS, which produces one that actually takes some market share.
This report originally appeared in Faultline Issue 337. |
