Flurry Of Non-Apple Tablets Take Aim At iPad

While the most high-profile alternative tablets are from HP and Dell, there are a number of other manufacturers that have jumped into the suddenly crowded and hot market. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer highlighted the new HP Slate during his keynote address, but he also mentioned a few other non-HP tablets such as Pegatron's tablet offering.

Similarly, Nvidia showed off several different tablet models from companies such as Asus, Microstar International, and Innovative Converged devices, that are utilizing Nvidia's Tegra 2 system-on-a-chip (SoC). All in all, there looks to be more than a dozen different tablet manufacturers vying for market share this year with Apple. Some of these devices were created by startups like Notion Ink, while others, such as the Sports Illustrated tablet prototype, are back by international media conglomerates.

The biggest effect Apple's iPad may have on the competition is on price; at $499, the iPad is cheaper than some analysts and media members expected. Some tablets are running over that $500 benchmark, while some devices have already moved well under it to the $300 price range. Many manufacturers held back pricing announcements, likely preferring to wait until after Apple's event this week to put a dollar figure on their tablets.

Then there's the hardware. The iPad will be unique, using proprietary technology such as Apple A4 SoC. The A4 is similar to both Nvidia's new Tegra 2 processor -- both are built on the dual-core ARM Cortex A9 architecture, and both run at 1 GHz. But some of the competing tablets will come with either Google's Android OS (the popular choice) or Windows 7, which will certainly differentiate PC tablets from Apple's offering. But will it differentiate in a good way for the challengers?

And lastly, the flurry of competitors will have to contend with Apple's content delivery system, namely its App Store. Competing companies will have to scramble and find ways to bring compelling content, whether it's e-books and other media or video games, to their devices in order to do battle with Apple. That may be the biggest challenge of all. One thing is certain: A tablet is going to need more than just a camera to beat the iPad.