The Microsoft Windows tablet isn't dead, according to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft was years ago. Of course, it took Apple to show the consumer electronics world how to make a successful mainstream consumer tablet, with its . Now that world is , and if the coming onslaught of is any indication, it seems as though Google and its partners have second place locked down.

Ballmer let it be known this morning, however, that his company isn't going to give up without a fight. During his keynote at the Worldwide Partner conference, Ballmer announced that Windows 7 tablets by such high-profile partners as Asus, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, and Sony will be coming later this year.

Not surprisingly, the form factors and price points of said devices will be as diverse as the companies manufacturing. Some will feature keyboards, some will be dockable, some will offer electronic ink displays.

Ballmer's announcement echoes his unveiling of an , at this year's CES. Of course, the roadmap on that device may well have changed dramatically. Given , however, chances seem good that a webOS tablet from the company will beat a Windows 7 device to market.