ViewSonic Windows 7 and Android dual boot tablet to ship in November

ViewSonic has launched two tablet PCs in a bid to capitalise on the growing consumer and business markets for portable devices.

The ViewPad 10 comes with a 10in 1,024 x 600 resolution display, and has a dual-boot option allowing it to run Android 1.6 and Windows 7 Home Premium. Users are able to switch between the operating systems after restarting the device.

Derek Wright, ViewSonic's European product marketing manager, told V3.co.uk that the firm is looking into a way of switching between the operating systems without having to reboot.

Wright confirmed that there is no plan to upgrade the ViewPad 10 to Android 2.2 or beyond because the Intel processor will not support the upgrade. The tablet is powered by a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor, and features 1GB DDR3 RAM which the firm claimed makes it the fastest tablet to run an Android operating system.

The device comes with Wi-Fi connectivity but, like the newly launched HP Slate, lacks 3G. However, the introduction of Wi-Fi Direct may appease business users.

Other notable features include a 16GB internal hard drive, micro-SD card support up to 32GB, two USB 2.0 ports and a 1.3-megapixel camera. Battery life has yet to be confirmed.

The device is priced at £499 and will go on sale on 1 November, the same date as the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Advent Android devices.