CES Count the Tablets 41-44: The Real Deal from Microsoft

LAS VEGAS - Continuing our “Count the Tablets” coverage of CES, we have five tablets being shown off by Microsoft (only four of them are new to our Count, bringing). These tablets are the real deal in that they are definitely going to ship, if they haven’t already, and we got two added bonuses compared to the Android tablets we saw in other parts of CES: We could touch them and they were turned on and operational.

Microsoft was definitely focusing on larger tablets, which is fitting in that these devices were all running standard versions of Windows (Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional), and not some kind of slimmed-down version of the OS aimed at tablets. The smallest of the bunch features a 10.1” display, while the largest is 12.6”.

Another difference at Microsoft’s booth was the fact that the company was actually keeping the devices clean of fingerprints. Contrast the photos below with most of the other tablets we’ve covered in this series, and you’ll see the different it makes.

Speaking of differences, we also noted that the fit and finish of these devices was markedly superior to that of the other devices (mostly Android) that we saw at other booths at CES, and the price tags were higher to with that (at least compared to those other manufacturers that wee willing to share tidbits like specs and prices with us).

All of this just makes it all the more curious that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made nary a mention of tablets during his CES keynote presentation last Wednesday.

With specs, here are the five tablets from Microsoft’s booth:

Motion CL900
Motion CL900
  • 10.1” Display
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Intel Atom Z670 1.5GHz Processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 30GB Storage
  • Up to 8 hours of battery life
  • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Integrated 3G modem (optional)
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • Pricing: “Planned MSRP of less than US$1,000”
  • Availability: Early Q2 of 2011
Lenovo LePad
Lenovo LePad Slate
  • 10.1” Display
  • Windows 7 Professional or Android 2.2 (Microsoft only listed Windows 7)
  • Intel CULV Processor (1.2GHz)
  • 1280 x 800 Resolution
  • Front facing camera
  • Integrated WiFi (unspecified)
  • 3G Modem (optional)
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB or 32GB storage
  • Price: $520 as a standalone slate, $1,300 with the hybrid dock/case
  • Availability: Q1 of 2011 in China
  • Dock/case includes a 320GB hard drive, keynoard, etc.
Toshiba Tablet
Toshiba Windows Tablet (Unnamed)

(This is the same tablet we showed you on Friday, but this photo offers a better image of the device. We are not adding it to our total “Count the Tablets” count, as it has already been added.)

  • 11.6” Display
  • 1266 x 768 Resolution
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Intel Oaktrail Processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 64GB Storage
  • HDMI out (optional)
  • Front and rear-facing cameras
  • Pricing: Not announced
  • Availability: Not announced
Asus Eee Slate EP121 Asus Eee Slate EP121
  • 12.1” Display
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Intel Dual Core i5 470UM (1.3GHz)
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB Storage
  • Front facing camera (optional)
  • Bluetooth (unsepcified)
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • MMC/SD Memory Card Reader
  • Battery Life: 3 Hours
  • Price: $1,099
  • Availbility: Available for pre-order
Ciara Vibe Homeland MID-071-T Tablet
  • 11.6” Display
  • 1366 x 768 Resolution
  • Windows 7 HomePremium
  • Intel Atom N450 Processor (1.66GHz)
  • 32Gb or 64GB SSD
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Mini HDMI
  • Front facing camera (optional)
  • Pricing Starting at $649

Stay tuned for many, many more tablets direct from CES.

Jeff Gamet contributed to this article.