Dell launches Streak as HP leaks

HP has managed to steal some of the spotlight from Dell's launch of its first tablet PC, after a leak of HP's tablet plans were published online.

Today Dell announced the release of its Wi-Fi and 3G enabled tablet, Streak, which will be available from August 12 in the United States via carrier AT&T and one day later through Dell direct.

The carbon black device runs on Google's Android operating system and Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon processor with pricing set to challenge Apple's enormously popular iPad.

Dell's Streak will cost US$299.99 (AU$327) under a two year contract with US carrier AT&T and US$549.99 (AU$655) unlocked.

The unlocked pocket gadget comes in under Apple's US$620 entry point for the 3G iPad, but offers just 2GB storage, which can be boosted to 32GB with Micro SD cards. 

The Streak's 5-inch (12.7 cm) screen is dwarfed by the iPad's 9-inch diagonal length, and is closer to the iPhone's 4.5 inch (11.43 cm) screen. The so-called tablet can also be used to make voice calls, according to Dell.

According to tech news website, Engadget, Dell's Windows-based PC rival Hewlett-Packard (HP) is also on the verge of releasing its own tablet, tipped to run on the Palm phone's WebOS operating system. HP acquired Palm earlier this year for US$1.2 billion.

HP Personal Systems Group vice president Todd Bradley has reportedly  told staff that a "PalmPad", under a project known internally as "Hurricane" would be released in the first three months of the 2011 financial year.