HP Ditches Windows 7 for Slate Tablet, Opts for webOS

Tech hardware producer Hewlett-Packard (HP) has decided it won't be loading the very popular Windows 7 operating system (OS) on its upcoming Slate tablet computer after all. The company recently revealed that it would instead ship the device with webOS, a Linux-based system.

The move is a somewhat surprising one, given that much of the buzz surrounding the Slate has been associated with HP's plans to run Windows 7. The operating system, which launched in October of last year, has made fans the world over. It has helped Microsoft recover from the debacle that was Windows Vista, with customer satisfaction ratings rebounding nicely.

Multi-Touch a Concern for Windows 7

Word that HP would pass on Windows 7 in favor of webOS came courtesy of tech blog Digitimes and HP Taiwan's vice president of personal computing systems, Monty Wong. (Source: slipperybrick.com)

The problem with Windows 7 appears to be its multi-touch functionality. When it comes to the mobile market, it appears that Microsoft simply cannot compete with the Apple iPhone OS or the Linux-based webOS. This lingering hole in Microsoft's product line has become something of a mystery for many tech analysts.

Some saw HP's move to not include Windows 7 in the HP Slate as a slap in the face to Microsoft, which allegedly is part of the reason why Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd recently reassured analysts that the Redmond-based firm remained an important part of HP's future. (Source: arstechnica.com)

HP Slate Slated for October

Reports suggest the Slate will ship sometime in October, an estimate that falls in line with earlier speculation that the device would become available in late summer or early fall.

It's not yet known how much the Slate will cost the average consumer, but it's likely the device will come with several different price levels, somewhat like the iPhone. We also still don't know which processor the phone will use, a detail that could help determine its final cost to the consumer.