Rumor: HP to put out Topaz tablets at CES, one with WiMAX

A new rumor Tuesday afternoon has claimed that HP will bring its Topaz webOS tablet out in large fashion at CES 2011. Referring to it as the PalmPad, Fox claimed three models will be on show, each of which will have minor differences. One would focus on the home and would have both a mini HDMI output for video as well as built-in WiMAX for using Sprint's 4G network.

A fourth version targeted at college and university students is also purportedly being readied and would have integration with "internal education software" as well as optional hardware customization for large-scale buyers. It may have a smaller screen the rest and would arrive in fall 2011.

All of the tablets would be based on the design of the HP Slate, which contrary to the claim is now shipping, but would evade many of the weaknesses of the Atom-based design. They would have larger displays, at 9.7 inches, but would be much lighter than even the iPad at 1.25 pounds and slightly thinner than Apple's hardware. All would have USB 3.0 ports, back three-megapixel and front 1.3-megapixel cameras, and a "multi-switch" as on the Palm Pre, according to the rumor.

Each tablet would run a previously unmentioned version of webOS, 2.5.1, presumably adapted to the tablet form factor.

The rumor is partly backed by HP committing to a webOS tablet sometime in early 2011, but questions have surfaced about the plans. Apart from an inaccuracy about the HP Slate shipping, HP is known by Electronista and others to have no significant presence on the CES show floor, either by itself or through Palm. It can no longer have a last-minute addition to the presentation schedule and so far is only scheduled to have a meeting room, where it's more likely to talk about probable PC introductions timed for the show.

Its primary, more concrete evidence is a diagram (pictured) that makes reference to both the PalmPad and an optional dock. So far, it's uncertain if this is accurate or if it reflects a finished design.

However it ships, the Topaz or PalmPad is commonly thought to be HP's true answer to the iPad. Microsoft had goaded the company to position the Windows 7-based slate as a rival to the then-unnamed Apple tablet, but numerous delays and HP's acquisition of Palm led it to relegate the Slate to enterprise, where it has sold just 9,000 models so far. The PalmPad is expected to both be more portable but also last much longer on battery and have a more intuitive interface designed for touch.

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