Pretty much everybody is getting into the tablet game these days in the wake of the iPad actually making it a viable market. Samsung has the Galaxy Tab, Motorola is putting out the Xoom, and we’re sure there are a bunch of cheesy Chinese knockoffs coming as well. But one competitor people have been awaiting is Research In Motion and how they were going to respond to the tablet craze. Back in September, we found out it was going to be with the PlayBook, but we didn’t know when it was coming out.

Well, guess no more; it’s coming April 19th.

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The Dell Streak has been fairly popular among people who want to pay cell phone companies for the Internet, but don’t want or can’t get an iPad. While it’s not the delicious Apple product that actually turned tablet PCs into something people actually cared about, it’s absolutely serviceable and at $200 with a service contract, it’s a decent price. But what if you don’t want to pay Verizon, T-Mobile, et. al. exorbitant sums for the Internet?

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The issue of wireless versus traditional Internet access today hinges on questions of reliability and mobility. The “traditional” or hard-wired Internet services are, right now at least, the more reliable of the two types of service. However, if you really want to experience the true freedom of the Internet, not only the freedom of information but the freedom to access that information from anywhere, then wireless Internet service is more than worth the occassional hiccup.

Imagine being able to work from your laptop on the beach or at the mall – this is the freedom that wireless Internet offers. It is the freedom to escape being chained to a desk or an office (now you will only be chained to your laptop!). However, as the smartphone and tablet get more and more powerful, the more savvy among us may only have to carry around one piece of professional equipment, and we will truly enter the Mobile Age.

However, today we are just in the Information Age. And in this epoch, all of the kinks have not yet been worked out of wireless Internet. So for the most reliable service, it is best to go with cable or DSL. But some wireless solutions are on the horizon. The power of Mifi solution Clear 4G shows us that flawless satellite internet is approaching very quickly.

Though the cell phone networks are notoriously unreliable when compared to a hard-wired Internet connection, you would have to be blind not to see where this is going. As the appropriate networks are built in the right places, and as they become consolidated so as not to step on each other (another inevitable step – the consolidation of the networks), mobile Internet will eventually become just as ubiquitous as hard-wired Internet solutions, and the market will definitely sway in that direction.

Windows 7 Ship Date – I think we’ve all been waiting for Windows 7 since that first fateful moment we clicked Enter after typing in the password on a new Vista set-up.  The whole “Mojave” diversion was like bleach in the wounds. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait much longer. Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will be shipping to customers on Oct. 22. I’ll be anticipating it like prom-night virginity loss. Indications are that all versions of the new OS will run on PCs, notebooks and netbooks. The release candidate has received relatively positive reviews, but I guess we won’t really know for sure until we power it up. For those that can’t make the full leap, Microsoft will also be issuing Windows Upgrade Option for current users.  Like said prom night, there’s a real mix of hair-tingling excitement and petrifying, palm-drenching fear. And similarly, it will all be over soon, for better or worse. [via PC World]

Bing Search Engine by Microsoft – Ahead of schedule appears to be the theme of this beautiful, bright 1st of June. Microsoft’s anticipated new search engine Bing was originally scheduled to launch on Wednesday, but is already available today. Though it will take more than a couple of hours to decipher just how much of a “Google killer” it is, it does offer some new features that set it apart. When searching travel destinations, for instance, you’ll be provided with real time pricing and availability to make booking fast and seamless. Similarly, online shoppers and those looking for health-related and local information are provided with more customized tools.

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Dude, you’re gettin’ a downturn. Dell’s income fell 63 percent in Q1, from $784 million to $290 million. Stocks are slightly above analyst expectations, but revenue is slightly below. Chairman and CEO Michael Dell speaks of a “powerful replacement cycle, with virtualization and managed services playing larger roles in what customers want and Dell provides.” That’s corporate jargon for “people are doing everything on the Internet and no longer want to pay for products they don’t need.” Revenue even dropped in the “mobile products” category, which includes laptops, even as laptop shipments rose 32 percent. That’s the netbook craze you’re seeing right there. The plan is to improve profit margins over time — though it’s not clear how — and get into more retail stores. [via ComputerWorld]

Trying to stay under a $600 PC budget but can’t wait for the affordable ultrathins or ultrapowerful netbooks? Woot’s got a way out with a $549 Dell 17-inch Studio notebook. Built for entertainment, the refurbished Dell Studio 1737 includes a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, a DVD player and burner, a webcam and Vista Home Premium installed. There’s also an HDMI output and a 1-year warranty if you’re a worry wart. I know, PCs don’t make the greatest impulse buys, but normally a 17-inch Studio with these specs will set you back $759, so consider pulling the trigger if you were already shopping.  [via Woot]

With HP losing profits, it certainly makes sense to focus on the segment of the tech industry that’s actually doing well. Two new variants of HP’s Mini series are on the way, including one model breaks the $300 barrier. The new Mini 110s are a lot like their predecessors, but you can add a widescreen display and optional Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator for watching high-definition video. The Mini 110 starts at $330 with Windows XP, but you can save $50 by fitting it with Linux instead (it goes great with the Pink Swirl model). For the business set, HP’s Mini 1101 has optional mobile broadband and a six-cell battery, and can be equipped with Windows XP Home, XP Pro or even Vista, though we’re not sure why you’d want the last option. The price begins at $329. Look for the Mini 110 on June 10 and the Mini 1101 on June 1. [via InformationWeek]

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 and G550 – Marking its territory in the upcoming battle over the ultra-thin, ultra-cheap, better-than-netbook PCs, Lenovo announced the IdeaPad U350 and G550. The former (pictured) has a 13.3-inch display with ambient light sensing, a 1.4 GHz Core 2 Solo or two less powerful options, a 500 GB hard drive, up to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, a GMA 4500M or 4500 MHD graphics set and an optional 8-cell battery for 10 hours of life. The G550 has a 15.6-inch display with a Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, a hard drive of up to 320 GB, a DVD burner and either a GMA X4500 or GeForce G105M graphics card. The U350 will sell in July starting at $649, while the G550 goes on sale in June starting at $599.

Lenovo also announced the IdeaCentre C300 all-in-one, featuring a meager Atom 230 processor but a 20-inch display with up to 2 GB of DDR2 RAM and up to a 640 GB hard drive. You’ll find it in July starting at $449. [via Engadget]

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