HP announces the Pro Slate 8 & 12: two high-res tablets with futuristic smartpens

HP has just announced two new Android-powered tablets, the 12.3-inch HP Pro Slate 12 and the 7.9-inch HP Pro Slate 8. HP has never really been known to release tablets with amazingly up to date specifications, but these two tablets actually have the potential to run quite well. Both devices are running a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and both are only 8mm thick. The Pro Slate 8 is using a new Corning Gorilla Glass 4 panel, coming in with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 and a pixel density of 326ppi. The Pro Slate 12 has a decent resolution at 1600 x 1200 and a pixel density of 163ppi. And remember, both of these tablets have a 4:3 aspect ratio, not 16:9 that we’re used to seeing in many other Android tablets. Additionally, both tablets are running Android 4.4 KitKat, which we assume will get the update to Lollipop eventually.

HP has also included a new pen with both devices, dubbed the Duet Pen. The pen allows you to write on any surface, whether that’s paper or any other flat surface, and your writing will appear instantly on the tablet. Four super-sensitive microphones are built into the tablet that pick up ultrasonic sounds produced by the pen. This is a somewhat new technology, and we’re really excited to see how this works in everyday use.

If you’re interested in picking up either of these two tablets, you’re going to have to shell over quite a bit of money for each. The Pro Slate 8 is available for $449 and the Pro Slate 12 is a hefty $569. So, is anyone interested in either of these tablets? They seem pretty nice, but are they too expensive?