You see, Microsoft and their partners have had some interesting products in tablet form, and even modest evolution centered around Windows 7 should produce something compelling. So why is this thing so underwhelming to me? I actually like HPs other Tablet designs, and have almost bought that one in particular.

I refuse to nitpick an unreleased product, as it may be something cool yet, but if I was going to introduce a “new” device in the tablet mold, I would not introduce something thicker than laptops my biggest competitors have had released for over a year.

I try really hard not to look through Apple colored glasses, but this just reeks of trying to rain on a parade that hasn’t been announced, demoed, or released. Calling it a “slate” when for years these devices ran as “Tablet PCs” also says the same thing: they worry about a niche company (Apple has pretty small market share on all it’s products, with great profit margins offsetting this so-called problem) and try to counter something that doesn’t exist with something mediocre.

I hope I am very wrong about this, and all the touchy feely good stuff Microsoft put in Windows 7 works very well with light, thinner-than-it-looks hardware, whose battery will last more than 2 hours. I’m just not feeling it on this one. The good news is, Lenovo may be getting it right very soon. Too bad they use Linux/Android, not Windows.

So day 1 of CES, interesting but not compelling. Hoping for something to blow me away, and just not seeing it yet. Except for maybe the Panasonic 152″ TV. Wow.