Companies like Toshiba and Asustek plan to unveil new products based on Google’s Android operating system at the show, which starts on June 3. Android tablets are already on the market, but the new devices are expected to feature more powerful hardware that could make them more competitive with the iPad.
Meanwhile, Microsoft, whose Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system is a distant third behind Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, is also expected to show off new tablet products at the show, hoping to gain a foothold in the rapidly growing market.
“Computex is a major opportunity for companies looking to compete with the iPad,” said Bob O’Donnell, an analyst with research firm IDC. “It’s a chance for them to show off their new products and get them into the hands of potential buyers and developers.”
Toshiba plans to unveil a new 7-inch tablet called the Thrive at the show. The Thrive will run Android 3.1, also known as Honeycomb, and will feature a dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It will also have a microSD expansion slot, which will allow users to add more storage.
Toshiba also has higher-end version of the Thrive on the horizon, which is expected to have a 10-inch display and a faster processor. The company is also planning to launch a 7-inch Windows 8 tablet later this year.
Asustek, meanwhile, is expected to show off a new tablet called the Transformer Prime. The Transformer Prime should feature a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. It will also run Honeycomb and have a microSD expansion slot.
Like the current Transformer, the Prime is expected to have a detachable keyboard that enables it to transform from a tablet into a netbook.
For years, Computex has been dominated by PC hardware, but the increasing importance of smartphones, e-readers and tablets is bringing an increased number of consumer electronic brands to the show.
Tablet shipments surged by 170 percent in 2010 and are likely to double once more in 2011, IDC predicts. Apple is widely expected to remain the market share leader, but the market for Android-based tablets is expected to grow rapidly. Microsoft has yet to gain significant traction in this space.
“In terms of hardware and operating systems, the tablet wars have never been as varied and exciting as they are now,” said IDC analyst Tom Mainelli. “At Computex, those wars will be fought on a grand scale.”
