HP ElitePad 900 Tablet

It's no secret that the tablet is (finally) starting to become an accepted form factor in SMB and enterprise businesses. To that end, HP is bucking the "bring your own device" trend by introducing the HP ElitePad 900, which runs the full Windows 8 instead of Android, Windows RT, or iOS operating systems.
The HP ElitePad 900 is built around the next-generation Intel Atom platform (aka Clover Trail) and a 10.1-inch widescreen tablet. We were able to handle one in a controlled environment recently, and here's what we saw.

The ElitePad 900 is a 10.1-inch tablet form factor with a 16:10 aspect ratio screen. The screen is bright and shows off the Windows 8 user interface well. The Gorilla Glass 2 protected screen has responsive capacitive touch, and we were able to touch type on it. Its on-screen keyboard is as responsive as the Apple iPad's, but of course using the Windows 8 interface.


Since it's a business tablet, the ElitePad 900 has quite a few accessories. The HP ElitePad Docking Station is an almost must-buy for each of your workers. Using the Docking Station, the ElitePad becomes similar to an all-in-one desktop. You can pair a wireless keyboard to the ElitePad for extended typing sessions. HP also offers a range of "smart jacket" cases for the ElitePad to extend the tablet's capabilites. For example, the tablet itself lacks connectors like HDMI and USB, but the Expansion Jacket gives you those options. The combo makes the ElitePad look like a tablet with a cocoon-type case on it. HP's Productivity Jacket includes an integrated keyboard, in case you want your ElitePad to act like a laptop. The Rugged Jacket increases the ElitePad's drop capabilities and makes it more appropriate to use outdoors in the field. HP also offers a Jacket Battery to supplement the ElitePad 900's internal battery. The Jacket Battery slots in between one of the Smart Jackets and the ElitePad.

IT folks have resisted the addition of individual user's tablets to their infrastructure for two main reasons: lack of control over the tablet's security, and incompatibilities with the enterprise's core programs. HP has addressed this by making the ElitePad 900 compatible with its Client Security suite, HP BIOS protection, and with LANDesk tools for asset management and network security. Since the ElitePad runs Windows 8, you won't have to recompile your internally developed programs for another OS, which you probably must do to support iOS, Android, or even WinRT. Another IT plus is the fact that the ElitePad 900 is IT-serviceable, including screens, chassis, battery, memory, and storage.

The ElitePad 900 comes with 2GB of memory, a 64GB SSD for primary storage, 1,280 by 800 resolution (16:10) 10.1-inch screen, dual band Wi-Fi, optional 4G WWAN radio, and optional capacitive pen/stylus support. It measures 0.36 by 7 by 10.28 inches (HWD) independent of the Smart Jackets, so it's longer but roughly the size of an iPad. It feels comfortable in the hand, is under two pounds (though there's no official weight yet). It's got a built-in 1080p and an 8-megapixel webcam, along with the other features we've come to expect from tablets (accelerometers, GPS, voice transcription). Pricing is still to be determined, but we're expecting it to cost as much as a high-end tablet from iOS or Android makers. The ElitePad 900 will be available in January 2013, so look for it around CES time.