HP Slate to use WebOS instead of WIndows 7

Almost a week after Hewlett Packard (HP) agreed to buy struggling palm top device maker Palm, the company is reported to have dropped the Windows 7 operating system for its upcoming tablet computer Slate.

The Slate will now be using the smartphone OS WebOS that was developed by Palm. This will really put the device in direct competition with Apple‘s iPad which is using the smartphone OS iPhone OS.

The company argued that by using the acquired OS will help drop the price of the Slate, which is rumored to be released next month. License alone for the WIndows 7 will jack up the price. Initial price is set at 549 USD using the Microsoft OS. Sources also said HP is not happy with the overall performance of Windows 7 in the device saying that it is too power-hungry.

It was also reported that the Intel processor will also be dropped from the Slate.

The Slate has an 8.9 inch screen with dimensions 9.21 x 5.7 x 0.57 inches while the iPad has a 9.7 inch screen with dimensions 9.56 x 7.47 x0.53 inches.