© thms.nl

The popularity of PC tablets like the new iPad is leading many other companies to copy and improve on this design. Intel Corp, the world's largest chipmaker, is now promoting a new type of thinner laptop that it calls the ultrabook. With this design Intel is hoping to fend off a challenge to the PC industry from Apple's iPad and other tablets. The new ultrabooks will be under an inch thick, and they feature days of battery life on standby.

They also start up in just seconds and retail for under $1,000. Intel is targeting a conversion of 40% of the consumer laptop market to the new category by the end of 2012. The iPad has been attracting consumers who are seeking a thin and affordable computer, and up to now the ultraportable devices offered by PC makers haven't been competitive due to high prices and chips that didn't deliver enough performance.

© Veronica Belmont

The success of the new iPad has prompted the development of similar PC tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. While it may not be an "iPad killer" as some have claimed, it appears that Samsung is really onto something with this new Android-powered device that will hit the market next month.

It features a thin and lightweight body with enough features to impress even a hardcore Apple fan. Samsung has gone the extra mile to make their tab user-friendly, and this is what makes it stand out from other tablet offerings. The user interface is very intuitive, which can't be said for many other Android tablets. It comes with Google Voice and Cloud Music Service built in, so there's plenty to enjoy in terms of entertainment. Yet where it comes up short is in the app store, which is still lacking in comparison to Apple's App Store.

© viagallery.com

Research in Motion is officially launching its long-awaited PlayBook this week. The tablet PC is clearly inspired by iPad ideas, but some reviewers are dissing it before it even hits the shelves as being late to the game. RIM has been hyping the PlayBook since early January as the first tablet to include wide-area wireless connectivity and Spring 4G, offering download speeds 10 times faster than 3G, which is what Apple's iPad gets on AT&T network.

However, reviewers are critical of the fact that the PlayBook software is full of borrowed ideas from the iPad and Palm Pre. However, like RIM smartphones the PlayBook is definitely professional grade with a portable design that enables true multitasking and HD multimedia, and includes advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support. These features could help it compete successfully with the iPad in the business world.