JSE-listed technology distributor has unveiled a Windows 7-based tablet computer, the Mecer Xpress, on the same evening Apple announced the iPad 2.

But Mustek says the Mecer Xpress is aimed at a different market to the Apple product. The company’s chief technology officer, Dimitri Tserpes, says the Xpress slate is aimed firmly at the business market.

The Xpress, which will is available at prices starting at R5 959, ships with Windows 7 Home Premium, and is upgradeable to the Ultimate edition of Microsoft’s operating system.

The 990g device, made by China’s Megatron, has a 1,6GHz Intel Atom processor, a 32GB solid-state hard drive, an 11,6-inch LCD TFT display (resolution: 1 366×768 pixels), 2GB of RAM, USB port and mini HDMI port. It comes with Wi-Fi support; 3G connectivity is an optional extra.

According to Tserpes, the Xpress slate can be upgraded to future versions of Windows. Microsoft is expected to unveil a tablet-specific version of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system later this year.

Battery life of the new tablet is about three hours, significantly shorter than the 10-plus hours of battery offered by the iPad. But Mustek emphasises the Xpress slate is not aimed at the same market as Apple’s popular product. — Staff reporter, TechCentral