Coming in completely under the radar is Amtek's new entry to the slate Tablet PC form factor with the iTablet T221.
Some of the specs for this "out of the blue" device are:
12.1-inch XGA display, active digitizer and resistive touch-screen, 1.2 GHz Intel Core Duo ULV CPU, 60 GB HD (5200 RPM), 1.3-megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, optional outdoor display and can top out at 2 gigs.
And yes, it is running Vista with Aero glass flowing smoothly.
Amtek is not new to Tablet PC / UMPC landscape being one of the first to start manufacturing during the missed opportunity of the Origami hype of almost two years ago (wow, it's almost been that long already?). Most of their units have been sold under other companies branding but they have recently started to do their own branding and sell direct as well.
But here comes a working unit that can be ordered now for 1525 Euros which translates into about $2,200 - $2,300 USD. Pricier than other slates, but not completely out of the realm of possibility considering you're also getting the active digitizer AND resistive touch screen.
If I had an extra $2,200 lying around, I'd be on the phone ordering one as we speak.
And I'm also curious as to why this came out now. I keep repeating the "out of nowhere" aspect of this device for a reason. Not only wasn't it leaked anywhere, but it is already an up and running production model that can be ordered right now.
Usually tablets, like all other devices, are rumored, analyzed, some fuzzy pictures emerge, companies deny and deny the existence of said device, somebody's sister's cousin knows a guy who saw one while making a delivery, you all know the drill. So, to have a this thing just show up defies conventional rumor mongering.
'Course Amtek is also just a little company doing their thing far off the radar screen of say, a company like Dell. They can do stuff in relative quiet until they are ready to bring it to market.
It's pretty, elegant in it's design (okay, 'cept for those buttons, switches, etc. on the side but really, where else can they go?). The face is uncluttered.
Would seem to be close in design aesthetics to the long rumored Mac Tablet, wouldn't you say? Of course Apple's would probably have a white face instead of black but otherwise, I could see an Apple design following very close to this.
Maybe Amtek wanted to be first to market to hold on to the "i" Tablet name in case his Steveness is going to unveil the Mac Tablet at MacWorld?
Just a thought.
Check out the unit in action here at Ultra Mobile PC Tips
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