HP Unveils the mystery tablet ElitePad 900, along with slew of accessories. Its 10-inch Windows 8 slate meant for business users, with features like pen-input, drive encryption and optional 3G/4G. It weighs 1.5 pounds and measures 9.2mm thick. Going by weight, that’s more along the lines of what you’d expect from a larger, 11-inch tablet, but 1.5 pounds is still manageable, especially considering how armored this thing is. It runs on Intel Clover Trail Processor buffered up by 2GB of RAM, it promises 10-hours of runtime. It will have storage on your choice between 32GB or 64GB SSD. The screen resolution is 1,280*800, and youll find a 8MP rear camera and a1,080p shooter up front for video chats. Hidden behind a service door on the back are two slots: one for microSD cards, and another for 3G / 4G SIMs.

HP will be selling two so-called SmartJackets, cases that do a little more than just shield the device from wear and tear. One of them, for instance, has two USB ports, HDMI output, a full-size memory card slot, and room for an optional battery slice. That battery, by the way, has a capacity of about eight hours, and its defining feature is a built-in keyboard, which plugs directly into the tablet. HP announced the ElitePad 900 today; the tablet won’t go on sale here in the US until January. Hopefully we’ll also get a final price as we get closer to that launch date. Dont forget to look at the press release.

Here is the Press Release

HP Unveils a True Tablet for Business
Smart Jacket ecosystem delivers complete computing solutions
PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2012 – HP today introduced the HP ElitePad 900, a tablet that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, functionality and support.

Designed for business and government, it features HP ElitePad Smart Jackets, which add connectivity options and an additional ultra-slim battery for longer runtime, along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses.

The HP ElitePad is an ultrathin, lightweight tablet designed for Windows 8 that delivers features to keep IT managers happy and touts a design that employees will crave. It offers the full serviceability, enhanced security and manageability found in HP Elite PCs, and military-grade durability for drops, vibration, dust, temperature extremes and high altitude.

“Businesses used to face a tough purchase decision: How to find a product that will delight employees and help them be more productive, while also making sure IT can secure and manage it,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Printing and Personal Systems, HP. “The HP ElitePad meets all those tests. It combines the great style and user experience consumers demand with the features IT requires.”

A tablet that is made for business
Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the hand, the HP ElitePad offers a 10.1-inch diagonal display, weighs just 1.5 pounds and measures 9.2 millimeters (mm) thin. The 16-by-10 aspect ratio maximizes the display area for ideal viewing of traditional business applications, as well as video content. Precision crafted, with an eye toward fit and finish, the HP ElitePad uses stylish, premium materials such as CNC-machined aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass 2.

Powered by next-generation Intel mobile processors, the HP ElitePad delivers PC productivity for those on the go and Intel x86 compatibility for existing business application support. It is designed for Windows 8 and supports touch-, pen- or voice- based input. The HP ElitePad also provides power efficiency and smartphone-style convenience with compatibility for familiar Windows applications, as well as easy integration into existing IT environments.

The unique, productivity-enhancing ecosystem of HP Smart Jackets and additional accessories designed specifically for the HP ElitePad expand the tablet’s potential, turning it into a total enterprise solution:

– HP ElitePad Productivity Jacket – includes an integrated keyboard, connectivity ports, SD card reader and adjustable viewing angles for a complete computing experience.
– HP ElitePad Expansion Jacket-adds USB, HDMI and other connectivity to get more done on the go. Adds even longer battery life when bundled with the optional HP ElitePad Jacket battery.
– The HP ElitePad Rugged Case- provides military-grade reliability and enhances the stylish profile of the ElitePad for added protection.
– HP ElitePad Docking Station- delivers an enterprise-class desktop experience with an added keyboard and monitor and also charges the tablet. Or, use it to set the tablet up as a secondary screen for phenomenal multitasking.
– HP Executive Tablet Pen-lets customers write messages and notes in their natural handwriting directly on screen and then save or convert to typed text for use in other applications.

Loaded with tools for mobile work or play
The HP ElitePad tablet’s 1080p front-facing video camera and 8 megapixel (MP) rear camera with an LED flash and included CyberLink YouCam software help users easily communicate face to face, create high-definition (HD) web videos or record training videos without high production costs.

Powered by technology from HP Labs, the company’s central research arm, new HP PageLift is an application that automatically trims, correctly lights and orients a captured image of a whiteboard, paper contract or other document so it is ready to use or share without requiring manual editing.

Users can easily print directly from their HP ElitePad to any ePrint-capable HP printer or to a networked HP printer without the need for downloading drivers. HP ePrint software allows users to print remotely at more than 24,000 public locations such as hotels and business service retailers. The HP ElitePad also helps small workgroups connect with HP Wireless Hotspot, a desktop application that allows users to share a wireless internet connection and network bandwidth.

Additional user-experience software includes the CyberLink Media suite, which enables users to manage and create audio and video content with the same easy-to-use interface as other HP business PCs. Plus, users can record and listen to audio with a stereo microphone and headset jack that feature the richness of SRS Audio.

Information management is made easy with Evernote, which captures, saves and synchronizes information across devices with impressively quick search capability, and Skitch software that eases collaboration with colleagues by quickly marking up images with captions or sketches.

Manageability, deployment and security for IT environments
The HP ElitePad offers a long life cycle, stable image and HP Global Series Support, all of which IT managers expect in an enterprise tablet. It also features a one-year standard warranty, with the option for a three-year warranty via HP Care Pack Services. The HP ElitePad is fully serviceable with an optional, industry-unique service tool for HP Self- Maintainers that allows customers to access the panel, battery, motherboard and unibody chassis, helping reduce downtime and keep sensitive data and devices in-house.

In addition, organizations will appreciate the enterprise-caliber data, device and identity protection from HP Client Security, including HP BIOS Protection, Security Manager and HP Drive Encryption. Additional security features include Device Access Manager, Computrace and Sparekey.

Device d
eployment and ongoing support and maintenance are made easy with x86 compatibility and support for HP Client Management solutions. The LANDesk Management Suite also increases security and eases management by providing exclusive tools to locate and protect data on lost devices, remotely capture SIM card info for mass WWAN activation and enforce geographic policies to remotely lock, full wipe or selectively wipe data.

Availability
The HP ElitePad 900 is expected to be available in the United States in January 2013. Pricing information will be announced closer to availability.
This announcement follows HP’s unveiling of touch-enabled notebooks on Aug. 30, all-in- one desktops on Sept. 10 and a new lineup of consumer and business PCs on Sept. 20.