Apple has set the groundwork (as usual) with a very interesting and pretty device called the iPad.  But beyond reading a book and watching videos, the business community is about to be offered a plethora of finally useful choices in Pad computing.

  • Dell Streak – 5” display running Android 2.2 later this year.  Only on AT&T… ugh.
  • Samsung Galaxy – 7” screen running Android 2.2 now; 2 cameras front and back; supports WiFi and 3G and Adobe FLASH.  AT&T; Verizon; T-Mobile; Sprint.  Yeahhhh.
  • View Sonic ViewPad 7 – 7” screen; Android 2.2; similar to Samsung.  Wow.
  • View Sonic ViewPad 100 – 10” screen and almost a real computer with WiFI; 16gb storage; Windows 7 if needed; Whoaaaaa!
  • Toshiba  Folio 100 – similar to the View Sonic 100 above, but with nVidia graphics.  Lusting after nVidia… hmmmm.
  • Toshiba Libretto W100 – with Dual 7” touch screens, a bit pricey.
  • Archos 101 Tablets – probably will have the most choices in screen sizes and functionality including 10” multitouch; Windows 7; various competitive price levels ranging from cheap ($98) to $350.
  • Cisco Cius (yes, even Cisco) – 7” screen with above features plus USB ports and built in video conferencing.  Maybe the best to come for business.
  • RIM Blackberry Playbook – 7” screen but with proprietary OS.  A little late and not in the Android mainstream.
  • Open Peak (Intel spin-off) – 7” screen with video, VOIP; HD camera.  Due in mid 2011.
  • HP is coming out with its Slate 500 oriented to business which is more like a pc with Windows 7 OS able to run MS Office suite and other similar apps along with the standard 7” screen, Adobe and Java support, a clever docking station, and all for about $700.
  • And of course there are even more Pad products coming soon from Dell; Palm; Lenovo; Acer; and many more.  Oh my.

 

Net result is that these are all going to be very competitive in price, performance, and functionality, most running Android OS with dual cameras (front and back); multi-touch virtual keyboards; and most with needed Adobe FLASH graphics and PDF documents as well as Java.

Expect to pay around $300 – $400 for an incredible device that can be used as a PC and even link to HDTV.  And expect to have many choices in every imaginable configuration.  Unless of course you just want to get that pretty Apple box.

Is that one of our brokers over there drooling on their pin stripe suit?

Should we give her a Prada nano-bib?

-Warren Bailey

Warren Bailey is Vice President of Corporate Technology at NAI Global.