Recap: 12 tablet devices revealed at CES

Amongst all the 3D televisions introduced onto the consumer market at CES in Las Vagas last week, tablet devices were definitely present in a big way. In total, 12 tablets/slates/ereaders were unveiled. While everyone still waits for Apple to release the much anticipated iPad, the other guys got a head start.

1. Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t Multitouch Netbook Tablet

A convertible netbook tablet with a capacitive multitouch screen. The IdeaPad S10-3t runs on an Atom N450 or N470 processor, has 2GB or DDR2 RAM and will support up to 320GB of storage. Available in March, it will sell for $499.

2. Voltron: the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid

Also from Lenovo, the Voltron is the first netbook with a removable display. It’s literally two separate devices: a multitouch tablet that runs on Linux with a Qualcomm ARM 1Ghz Snapdragon processor and a Windows 7 netbook with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU 4100 processor. It has built-in Wi-Fi but can also connect to 3G. Price point is estimated at $999 with possible subsidization with a contract.

3. Spring Design Alex e-reader

This dual-screen ebook reader is essentially a Nook, only geekier. The Alex runs Android and has a standard matte E-ink display as well as a smaller color screen to navigate the OS.

4. HP Slate

We were expecting the Courier, instead we got a very plain tablet device HP is calling the Slate. Designed for reading, surfing the web and consuming media, the Slate will be available this year.

5. Liquavista:� Color Ereaders by Phillips

Built on Phillip’ LiquavistaBright platform, these readers use LiquavistaColor technology for it’s stunning color display. The ereader prototype looks promising for now, but will all the ereaders released at CES this week, Liquavista’s 2010/2011 launch estimate will have to be brought forward to actually gain any traction.

6. Sony Dash Internet Viewer

The Sony Dash isn’t exactly a tablet but more of a widget device designed to display important information and play media. On it’s 7″ screen we can see time, weather information as well as Facebook and Twitter notifications, email, news and more. Think of it as the successor to the alarm clock. MSRP $200.

7. Nvidia’s 7-inch Tegra Android Tablet

With several OEM working with the Nvidia Tegra, this device should soon hit the consumer market. Its 1024×600 screen can play 1080p and the device can be plugged into a television. There is of course web access and an ereader simplified by swipe gestures to flip pages. No word yet on whether of not it will be an official Android device as it doesn’t have 3G chip.

8. Skiff Reader

Targeted at periodicals, the Skiff Reader has a huge 11.5-inch screen and is only 0.25 inches think. Although it remains a prototype and pricing information is not yet available, we do know it will be released in both a color and black and white model. You can navigate though newspaper sections with the “scrubber bar”, a scroll bar at the bottom of the screen that displays sections as you swipe through them. You may also read books and magasines on the Skiff although newspapers are what this ereader was really designed for.

9. Dell Mini 5

Not much is yet known about Dells efforts to get a piece of the tablet market. However, we do know the Dell slate prototype has a 5-inch OLED screen, a SIM slot, a 5MP camera and what seems to be a built-in stand. That is all…

10. Plastic Logic’s Que reader

This one won’t come cheap. The Que reader by Plastic Logic is designed for the business user and focuses on schedules, documents and synchronizing with BlackBerry’s. It’s price: $650 for a 4GB model (8GB for $800)! Shipping in April, the Que will come standard with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and will support a 3G option.

11. Freescale Smartbook Tablet

This cheap $199 device was designed to be the fast and easy way for OEMs to get a tablet on the market. Although it has all the necessary hardware to make it an ok tablet, the UI does not impress. It has little optimization for finger-only user. Apart from that, you can easily run 720p video and surf the web. But before an OEM steps in and designs a better OS for the Freescale, it won’t take off.

12. Notion Ink Adam Pixel Qi Tablet/Ereader

This tough little 10.1-inch tablet/ereader is probably one of the most exciting devices at CES. Built on Android 2.0 it has a beautiful transflective screen that can switch between low-power electrophoretic reflective mode (e-ink that makes reading easier in direct sunlight) and a backlit color LCD. Still a prototype, we’ll get more details on this device at Mobile World Congress in February.

[Photos: Gizmodo]