CES 2011: Are any of the new tablets an 'iPad killer'?

2011 is shaping up to be the year of the tablet computer. Though we hadn't see too much viable competition for the Apple iPad since its release last April beyond the Samsung Galaxy Tab, electronics manufacturers have used this year's Consumer Electronics Show as a sort of debutante ball to unveil the tablets they hope will give the iPad a run for its money.

In many cases, these companies are capitalizing on the perceived shortcomings of the iPad, running the Android OS on their devices and adding features such as cameras, the ability to run Flash video, memory expansion, and USB connectivity—and of course, a choice of wireless carriers. Will that be enough to make any of these new tablets into an "iPad killer"? Maybe we'll know by this time next year!

Here are some of the contenders we've seen at CES 2011 so far.

Toshiba Tablet Photo: Toshiba

Toshiba Tablet

Toshiba's contribution to the tablet market will carry several features the iPad lacks: HDMI and USB ports, an SD Card slot, and a replaceable battery. Emphasizing multimedia, the Tablet with support Flash (the iPad doesn't) and allow for movie, music, and book downloads. The Tablet is due out in the spring at an undetermined price.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1 and LePad Slate

For people who can't decide between the portability of a tablet or the ergonomic functionality of a true laptop, the hybrid laptop/tablet Lenovo IdeaPad U1 may be the answer. The U1's clever design features a touchscreen tablet—the LePad Slate—that can be carried on its own or snapped into the laptop to act as a monitor. Right now, it's available only in China, but Lenovo promises a similar product for U.S. customers... someday. When it does arrive, expect the combo device to start at around $1,200.

Motorola Xoom Tablet Photo: Motorola

The Motorola Xoom

After lampooning the iPad as an oversized iPhone and criticizing the Samsung Galaxy Tab (the first real iPad competitor) as running an OS built for a phone, Motorola came out with the Xoom tablet. It boasts a dual-core processor running Android 3.0 ("Honeycomb"), an OS built specifically for tablets. The device is controlled completely via its 10.1-inch touchscreen surface—there are no buttons. The Xoom will run on Verizon Wireless's 3G network, upgradable mid-year to the carrier's 4G network. Expect availability in the next three months, along with pricing info.

Four tablets from Asus

Not content to put just one new tablet on the pedestal, Asus showcased four. All are touchscreens, though each tablet is unique: The large, 12.1-inch Eee Slate EP121 ($1,000 to $1,100) runs Windows Home Premium; The Eee Pad Slider ($500 to $700) features a nifty keyboard that slides out from under the screen for easier typing; Like the Lenovo U1, the Eee Pad Transformer ($400 to $700) comes with a laptop-like docking station; and the Eee Pad MeMO ($500 to $700) uses a stylus and handwriting-recognition software to let you write directly on the screen.

Dell Streak 7 Tablet Photo: Dell

Dell Streak 7

Dell's new 7-inch tablet will operate on the T-Mobile network, and though it will initially run Android's 2.2 OS, it can be upgraded to Honeycomb when that tablet-specific operating system becomes available. The Streak 7 lets you watch live television with preloaded T-Mobile TV and can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. We're still waiting for a price and release date to be announced.

Vizio Tablet

Branching out from TVs, Vizio announced an 8-inch touchscreen tablet at CES. Fitting for a product from a TV maker, the tablet will include an IR-blaster, which will allow it to function as a remote control, and an HDMI output for transferring high-def content to your TV. The tablet is due out in the first half of this year, though no price has yet been set.

A few others

Also catching our eye: Samsung has released a new Wi-Fi version of the Galaxy Tab that doesn't require signing a contract with a cell carrier; Sharp has announced, with few details, that it will be bringing its Galapagos tablet (now available in Japan) to the States; RIM has announced the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, which will run on Sprint's 4G network; and Viewsonic has released 4- and 10-inch ViewPads to join its already available 7-inch cousin. The 4-incher can also function as a phone.

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