Taiwanese Eee Pad Next Contender for Apple iPad Crown
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New cheaper tablet has a bigger screen than the iPad, but can it really compete with Apple’s product?
Taiwanese computer manufacturer AsusTek Computer Inc. revealed its new tablet, the Eee Pad yesterday at the 2010 COMPUTEX exhibition in Taipei.
Naturally, any mention of a new tablet will instantly draw comparison with Apple’s iPad, so how will the two gadgets compare when the Eee Pad is launched in the first quarter of 2011?
The first thing to note is that Asus have joined up with Microsoft to put the Windows 7 operating system on the Eee Pad. Unlike Apple’s tablet, the Eee Pad will support Flash and will also feature an integrated webcam for video conferencing.
Perhaps the two most important features though for consumers will be the size and the price. The Eee Pad will be available in two models with either a 10 inch or 12 inch touchscreen display. Both models will be bigger than the iPad’s 9.7 inch screen.
Predictably, the Eee Pad will also be significantly cheaper than Apple’s product, with prices starting at $399 (£275). Pricing so far hasn’t been a barrier for Apple, as the company revealed sales of 2 million iPad units in less than two months. US sales for the iPad passed the million unit mark in just 28 days, and by the European launch last week, sales had surpassed 2 million units.
Apple’s success however can be at least partially attributed to the lack of competition in the tablet arena. The announcement of the Dell Streak and the Eee Pad could cut into Apple’s considerable gains in the market. As always, price could be a determining factor, and if Asus’ Eee Pad can compete with the iPad for functionality, then consumers will have to think hard before shelling out at least an extra $100 for Apple’s logo.
