iTablet launches from UK company

Like the iPad but with USB ports, Flash, multi-tasking, choice of OS, HDMI...

5 February 2010 11:35 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

In its own words "hot on the heels of Apple's latest product launch", UK company X2 Computing has launched the "iTablet" range of Windows- or Linux-based tablet PCs.

Due to start shipping in April 2010, in wording reminiscent of Apple's marketing speak, X2 says "the iTablet will revolutionise the way that Windows users can access and use data on the move".

Offered with a 10.2-inch widescreen TFT or 12.1-inch widescreen XGA, 1024 x 768 resolution touchscreens (with multi-touch said to be "optional") X2 promises "stunning slimline bezels", "easy-to-use" on-screen keyboards and the ability to view content in a portrait or landscape format.

Specs include 1.6GHz Intel processors, up to 250GB hard drives, built-in stereo speakers, three USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional HDMI output, 1.3-megapixel webcam and 3G.

The iTablet range is due to be available in a range of solid and metallic colours including white, grey, pink, blue, red, yellow and black. We're waiting to hear about pricing and will update this post when we do.

UPDATE: It's been bought to our attention that the iTablet was first announced in 2007 by a company called AmTrek. We've contacted X2 to clarify details and are awaiting for confirmation from them. We will keep you posted.

Full tags

Hardware, Tablet PCs, iTablet, iPad, Apple iPad, X2 Computing, Windows 7, Linux

UK Shopping

Amazon.co.uk, play.com, pixmania.co.uk, Currys.co.uk, Dixons.co.uk, 7dayshop.com, ebay.co.uk

US Shopping

Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, ebay.com

Comments

I know which one I'd rather have (and it isn't the iPad) Posted by Beer-Keg, United Kingdom
Watch this fail miserably, while the iPad sells millions. Desktop OS on a touchscreen tablet? No thanks. Posted by Luke Redpath, United Kingdom
A properly configured Linux distribution for this hardware should wipe the floor with Apple's iPhone OS. A fully featured multi-tasking environment with all the connectivity you expect. This is the device I was expecting from Apple but they fell short of the mark.
Posted by Paul, UK
Pretty similar specs to your typical Netbook (I'm guessing that 1.6GHz CPU is an Atom N270) but with a form-factor change and a small boost or two. Given that Microsoft have been gearing up for touch support in Win 7 it should run nicely but I suspect battery life will be abysmal. HDD storage doesn't seem the wisest choice for a tablet either. Posted by GK, UK
This is a rehash of a 5 year old product. Why not buy a secondhand HP Tablet TC1100 instead? Posted by MagicBoy, UK
@ Luke... stop waffling mate

Desktop OS... what planet do you live on

Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#Tablet_PC_Edition
and learn... i'll say no more Posted by TH3UKRIDDL3R, STEVENS_J1@HOTMAIL.COM
Where is 1024x768 considered "widescreen" exactly? :-) Posted by AndySocial, USA
the big flaw in this is ... have you tried to use Outlook on a tablet recently using just your finger? Not a stylus... your fat finger?

the iPad apps are optimized for touch from the ground app and will be usable, but this will remain a niche product for the one or two apps that have been written for non-stylus use on Win or Linux.

Shame really as I prefer the idea of being able to develop windows apps for something like this (though I'd love front and rear facing cameras for Skype and augmented reality) Posted by offbeatmammal, USA
Optional multi-touch? 1.4 inches thick? How heavy is this damn thing?
A rushed and rash launch of a keyboardless computer from a new company…nice. The largest problem here is they assume people want a full-blown computer complete with all the hassle in a tablet. We don't. Posted by Norm, US
It comes with a Mobile Intel Celeron 1.0 GH processor or a Mobile Pentium M 1.6 GH processor . Up to 1GB RAM. Weighs 3.3 Pounds. 1.3" thick. Hope it has at least [Ctrl] [Alt] [Del] keys you will need those keys for this unit. Battery life is up to 4 hours. Boot time is typical Windows. This is not a new release they are bring it back after it failed to sell. It even includes a 56K modem. They must have removed the 3.5in floppy, didn't see that listed.

http://www.amtek.com.tw/english/Products_itablet_T200=04.htm# Posted by Gary, USA
Great...Mobile BSOD's!!! That ought to impress the hell out of people!! LOL.

We all know that microsoft products are no match for Apple, Inc. Never have been and never will be. Posted by Greg, United States
This is a re-hash, a squatter. I bought this product in 2005 when, other than "iTablet," it was not-yet-branded. (or under legal restraint from Apple for the name?)

Pics here: http://bit.ly/cnbcpp

Thought it was cool then. But, the comments here are true: it lacks horsepower, and other than the OneNote application, the rest of Windows blows in this format. Posted by jodopod, USA
and about an hour of battery life whoo hoo Posted by Michael Pitogo, US
It is a Tablet PC without the swivel. Microsoft already started the ball rolling with the Courier Tablet. But I highly like this one due to its form factor. I hope they include keyboard keys with this design (not an onscreen keyboard). Posted by @marun2 on Twitter, India
uh! I have been using similar devices since 2001 (when I got my first tablet PC). Yes; desktop OS's can work really well in a tablet, using either finger or stylus. Forget XP tablet edition (which was good), and use Windows7 with Office, on a touchscreen capable tablet like this HP Touchsmart machine and, like me you will be laughing!! Posted by Guy, South Africa
that's just a hack photoshop job. At least feather the mask on the fingers... musta been done on a pC Posted by bob, USA
Uhhhh, that ugly XP theme....that alone turned me away...waiting for MS courier...if it is real and coming soon...cant wait...iPad?? Lets leave ladies products for the ladies shall we now Apple?? Posted by Tak, ZA
@ TH3UKRIDDL3R

I'd like to see your attempts at clicking those tiny icons in the tray on that thing!

Even the tablet edition of windows is just a tweaked version, rather than something that is built from the ground up to be a touch device. I don't doubt MS will make their own copy at some point, but they're not ready for it yet. Android tablets will do a much better job of it, but still fall short initially.

Still, if you want to waste your time on a trashy Windows tablet, it's your money you'll be wasting :) Posted by Mike Hunt, UK
LOL. iPad will own this piece of junk. Posted by Ron, United States
I don't need my tablet PC to have have USB ports, HDMI output, a massive HDD, a full fledged desktop operating system, or a HD widescreen Cinema display to watch movies on. I just need a slim, light, fast and simple to use machine that can browse the web while I am sitting on the sofa. The iPad will wipe the floor with this thing!

I just with the iPad had multi-tasking and flash. Thats all that concerns me. Posted by Nav, England
Not even close to the iPad. Apple will sell tens of millions, and this will be lucky to sell ten thousand.

And running a 10 year old OS?.... give me a break. Posted by Zack, US
I'd second Nav. Lack of multitasking and flash support is the biggest iPad's issue. I think we have to wait for 3rd generation... Posted by Dan, UK
I would love to have one... but how much is it? But would it me possible to have a keyboard touch screen? Posted by Local Business Internet Marketing, USA
I would love to have one... but how much is it? But would it me possible to have a keyboard touch screen?
Posted by Local Business Internet Marketing, USA
piece of shit Posted by steavy, us
I give:

- 5+ points for allowing me to install ANY and WHATEVER software at all that I want, like windows, linux, android, hackintosh, etc...

- 3+ points for the multitouch screen, all I really need in a tablet is the touch feature that allows fingers and stylus, but the option of also having multi is even better

- 1+ point for being available in 2 different screen sizes, since some people have some needs and some have others.

- 0 points for the battery of 4 hours... because I need to actually USE this, and I cannot use it unless the battery has charge. What am I supposed to do after the 4 hours are over, run to the nearest wall socket?

- 1- point for supporting only 1GB of RAM... how am I supposed to have dozens of applications running simultaneously?

- 3+ points for having USB ports, to allow me to do pretty much connect with any peripheral that I want or charge the battery of a phone or ipod

- Extra 5+ points for having a camera (I dunno what could Steve Jobs and he's team of Apple heads could be thinking to forget about this one and the last point... Everyone needs this... and it's not a desire, it's a need! I demand USB & Camera without excuses.)

- 3+ poings for the huge 250GB storage space that beats the iPad with 64GB by far, very, very far. And even those new netbooks with SSD's of 8GB... geeeezzzz, what am I supposed to fit in 8GB? A Movie? 250GB is much better than being SSD.

- 2+ points for the 1024 x 768 since that's the minimum that some modern software requires, and it's obviously a failure of the netbooks resolution of 1024 x 600

And all this packed in an easy to carry around tablet.

Conclusion: Forgetting Apple, because what they care with the iPad is to make money and not improve people's lives or needs, the only really useful slate tablet other than this would be the one from Hewlett Packard when it comes out 7 months from now, but when that happens I will already have this one in two months from now. Posted by Andy, US
@Luke Redpath, offbeatmammal, Greg, Ron, steavy

OHOHOH TROLLS BE TROLLING

Posted by John Smith, US
LOL U NOOBS APPLE IS SHINY SILVER GLOSSY N STUFF THATS Y U SHOULD BUY IT LOL NOT LIKE IPAD IS JUST A BIGGER IPOD TOUCH LOL.

BSOD VISTA SUX AND UM BSOD AND UUUUUH BSOD LOOOOL GET TOLD. Posted by ApplesAreGods, Canada