Via plans ultra-cheap iPad competitors

Posted on 26 May 2010 at 11:02

Apple's popular iPad could be under increasing pressure from the budget end of the market, with an explosion of ultra-cheap slate devices expected to hit shop shelves before the end of the year.

Processor manufacturer Via has told reporters from Bloomberg that at least five designs based around its ultra-low-power chips will be available to US consumers towards the second half of the year - and prices will range from $100 to $150 (around £70 to £105).

This pricing structure contrasts markedly with Apple's iPad, which retails in the UK for an eye-watering £429 - and prices can reach as high as £699 for the top-end 32GB model with 3G mobile broadband.

Sadly, Via has been reluctant to offer any firm specifications for the budget-priced devices - beyond stating that it will be offering a similar ARM-based processor to that used in the iPad for the slates.

Richard Brown, vice president of marketing, also let slip that the devices - to be constructed by the company's Chinese OEM partners - will run Google's increasingly popular Android OS, as seen in the up-coming Streak 5in micro-slate from Dell.

While it's hard to guess at the precise specifications of Via's planned slate devices, if they are even partly as capable as the iPad Apple is going to have a hard time justifying its high prices.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

Get more reviews, tutorials and in-depth advice, every month with Computer Shopper.
Click here to try 3 issues for £1

< Previous News : Tablet PCs Next >

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.