Don't be so quick to buy that tablet; other options coming soon

Is there a slate computing device in your future? If you don't already have an iPad, you may want to wait and see how this new category of systems shakes out over the at once year.

The success of Apple's iPad

There is no doubt about the success of Apple's iPad, nevertheless just because it defined the slate segment of computing does not mean that it will always be the preferred choice.

There are plenty of examples of innovations in innovation that held top spot only to be eclipsed by furthermore advancements and features. Historically, Apple's strategy to control the hardware and the software has been both a key to its success and a limit to wide-scale acceptance.

Many users of mobile devices like slates and smartphones typically use them primarily for consumption of communications, data and entertainment. For those users that have more robust computing needs, these devices can't in every way replace full featured personal computers.

The power of these devices increases

That will change quickly as the power of these devices increases, software matures and cloud services provide more business solutions.

» Apple. The iPad is forecast to remain the leader in sales in 2012 with the new iPad 3 expected sometime while the year.

The largest user base

With the largest user base and an application selection that covers every genre, the iPad easily delivers entertainment to users of all ages and some mobile productivity for business people.

While there are limitations that make it difficult for the iPad to fully replace business computer systems, the success of the iPad is certain based upon its shear entertainment value and web-centric interface.

» Android. Slates made by Motorola, Asus and others use Google's Android operating system. Android is a mobile operating system based upon Linux and Java. The latest version, Honeycomb, was exactly designed for the larger screens found on slate devices.

With Google's application store and a more open platform, Android based systems are selling quickly and gaining popularity especially among tech-savvy users. New slates featuring Android will be released that will be faster and will offer more options for business users.

» Microsoft. Tablets using Microsoft's Windows 7 are available today from several manufacturers, however the big news is Windows 8. This new operating system is being designed to run on multiple platforms. On slate devices, it will feature a new interface in other words designed for touch.

Anyone using a Microsoft 7 phone has already seen a preview of this design. Watch for slates from several manufacturers running Windows 8 in 2012.

Couple of years

Slate-based computers have only been around a couple of years, nevertheless their popularity and functionality ensure their future. They are the obvious choice for the Internet-connected crowd and business users who need the mobility solutions they offer.