PC giant Dell is to launch a tablet computer set to rival Apple's iPad. The world's number three computer manufacturer says that its Streak - also known as the Mini 5 - is the first of a number of planned products.
The Streak is smaller than most tablets with a 5in (12.5cm) screen and runs Google's Android operating system. A Dell spokesman told BookShed, "The 5-inch screen is large enough to present Web pages in their natural form, create a comfortable viewing experience, and make turn-by-turn navigation simple and safe."
Reports suggest Dell also has a 7in and a 10in tablet planned for the future, items which would pitch them into the growing e-reader market. The sector is dominated by the iPad which sold more than 1 million units in the US during its first month. Unlike the iPad, the Streak will support Adobe 'Flash' which could prove vital in gaining the edge in sales of multi-media enhanced ebooks.
"This year our estimates suggest that there will be 1.3 billion mobile devices sold around the world," said Ben Wood of analyst firm CCS Insight. "Dell wants to get into this space. How can any PC maker not afford to?"
The Streak was first shown off at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
The first model comes with 3G and wi-fi connectivity, 16GB of storage, GPS and two cameras; one on the front and one on the back.
Dell has not revealed pricing, but has indicated it will be aimed at high-end users, suggesting it will be an 'object of desire, rather than necessity.'
Other manufacturers including Hewlett Packard (HP) and Google have tablet computers in the pipeline.
The touchscreen Streak will initially launch across Europe in June, followed by the US.
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