Reports had stated that Microsoft will showcase a slew of tablets running on Windows 7 and Windows 8 manufactured by Dell and Samsung at CES 2011, and part of the forecast has come true, as a UK-based AHX Global launched a Windows-based iTablet.

The rumor mill had first pronounced the coming of the device in Feb. 2010 prior to the lauch of iPad. The company AHX Global is a joint venture between X2 Computing, suppliers of mobile computing solutions and AMtek Systems, a Taiwanese designer of tablet computers.

iTablet sports a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1024x600. It also offers 32GB in storage and for connectivity taps into 80.211b/g/n Wi-Fi and also throws in a 2MP webcam. The tablet runs on Windows 7 Home Premium OS and is powered by Intel's Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor.

Also, Asus launched a Windows-based tablet Eee Slate EP121 which runs on Windows 7 Home Premium and is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor. It flaunts a 12.1-inch screen with 1280x800 resolution and comes with storage capacity of 32GB and 64GB versions with 4GB RAM. It is due to be priced at $999 and $1,099.

A report by The New York Times stated that Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, is due to unveil a slew of tablets built by Dell and Samsung and other manufacturers at CES. The sources revealed that the tablet will be powered by Windows 7 OS.

The sources also said that Microsoft could showcase tablets and other devices running on its new OS Windows 8. In July, Microsoft had revealed names of vendors that had promised Windows 7 slates this year which included top names like Sony, Dell, ASUS, Panasonic, Onkyo, Toshiba, MSI, Samsung, Lenovo and Fujitsu, said an Engadget report.

Tablet pc The New York Times Samsung Fujitsu