Six months after iPad’s release, Hewlett-Packard Co. presents its Slate 500 tablet, designed for business customers. Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer tested live the 8.9 inch screen device.

The main features of HP’s tablet include the Wi-Fi access, front and rear cameras, 64 gigabytes of storage space and touch-sensitive screen together with a stylus pen.

HP 500 Slate is definitively competing with Apple Inc.’s iPad, which was launched at the beginning of this year. There are slight resemblances between the two mentioned touch-screen tablets, such as the target market, but the differences are more striking.

Take for example the price: while HP 500 Slate can be bought from the company’s website with $799, the iPads’ prices range from $499 to $829. Despite the fact that iPad, Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy Tab and Dell Inc.’s Streak all ensure built-in capability to connect to high-speed cellular networks, the HP’s tablet misses this feature but it is the only one in the market with front and rear cameras.

Although the device will be available for sale starting with mid November, HP 500 Slate is prospective for it’s safe and traditional Windows 7 environment. As other device makers announced their alternatives to the successful iPad, HP 500 Slate will compete among with Samsung and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd’s release soon.