5 Tablet Computers for iPad Haters

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Amid all the frenzy over Apple's (Stock Quote: AAPL) iPad, it's easy to forget that tablet computers are not a Steve Jobs innovation.

During the past year, computer makers such as Dell (Stock Quote: DELL), Asus and Hewlett-Packard (Stock Quote: HPQ) have debuted new tablet computers, which combine the functions of a laptop with the convenience of a touch screen. At about an inch thick and three to five pounds, they're lighter than traditional laptops and easier to slip into a briefcase or backpack.

Will tablets become the next must-have gadget? It's too soon to tell. But if all the iSlate hype has you intrigued by a tablet's possibilities, here are other models to consider:

1. Dell Latitude XT2

Size: 11.7 inches by 8.7 inches

Price: $2,423

Pros: It's like two devices in one. When Dell's Latitude is in laptop mode, you can type documents and e-mails on its full-size keyboard. If you swivel the 12.1-inch screen, you can fold it flat and scribble notes on the surface. "Multitouch" technology makes it easy to scroll through text or rotate pictures by tapping or pinching the screen. High-tech bonus: There's a fingerprint reader for added security.

Cons: With all these bells and whistles, heavy users will need to upgrade the battery and probably the memory. It's also more expensive than other tablets.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet

Size: 11.6 inches by 10.1 inches

Price: $1,879

Pros: Although it offers many of the same features as the Dell Latitude XT2, it's significantly cheaper. Like the Latitude, it has a swiveling 12.1-inch screen that allows it to convert from a laptop to a tablet. Lenovo's "palm-rejection technology" makes sure the weight of your hand doesn't register when you're writing on the screen. While the standard model has some touch screen capabilities, you can upgrade to a multitouch panel, which registers two-fingered gestures to pan, zoom, rotate and right click. The "elite" model of the ThinkPad X200, which costs $300 more, features a special screen that can be used in direct sunlight. Like the Dell Latitude, you can boost its security with a fingerprint reader.

Cons: Controlling the curser may take some adjustment for users who are new to Lenovo, whose computers use a "TrackPoint" stick rather than the popular touchpad. As with other tablets, heavy users will probably want to upgrade the battery and system memory, making the Lenovo less of a bargain.