MSI Launching 10-inch Tablet Computer Later This Year

Now that Apple has finally unveiled their tablet computer, the iPad, more attention is being drawn to all the other tablets that are coming out this year. Yesterday we revealed how Asus is working on a tablet, and now we have word that MSI will be releasing their own 10-inch tablet in the second half of 2009.

MSI's Tegra-powered device was first shown off at the CES show a couple weeks ago in Las Vegas. It got pretty good reviews then, but there's one issue they may need to readjust in light of the iPad announcement. MSI priced their tablet at $500. Apple's iPad starts at $499. I can hardly see people paying $500 for an MSI tablet when they could spend the same amount and get the much cooler (at least in name and brand recognition) Apple iPad.

DigiTimes reports that MSI will be launching their tablet in the second half of 2009. Specs are said to be "flexible", and that the company will "launch different models based on market demand". Translation: if everyone balks at the price, they'll change it and release an even cheaper model.

The media may be panning the iPad right now, but 2010 definitely looks like its shaping up to be the year of the tablet computer -- whether that's an Apple or any other brand, it's the must-have gadget of the year.