HP is targeting the lower-end Android tablet market with the Slate 7. The tablet features a 7-inch 1024 x 600 FFS+ LCD screen, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 1.6Ghz dual-core A9 processor, 8GB of internal storage, 1GB or RAM, 3-megapixel rear camera, VGA front facing camera, microSD slot, and stereo speakers with Beats Audio built-in.

The HP Slate 7 has been designed to feel like a high-end tablet with a low price. It features a stainless steel frame with soft black paint and choice of a grey or red soft-touch back to make the tablet feel very comfortable in the hand. The Slate 7 is also the first tablet (since the HP TouchPad) to offer embedded Beats Audio, for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a tablet.

HP is shipping the Slate 7 with a full stock Android experience; the company decided not to skin the Android UI like other tablet makers. HP also plans on offering more Slate Android tablets in a variety of form factors and sizes in the future.

"To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems," said Alberto Torres, senior vice president, Mobility Global Business Unit, HP. "Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows® 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP."

The HP Slate7 joins the recently introduced HP Chromebook as part of HP's push to offer access to the Google experience."

HP will ship the Slate 7 in the U.S. beginning in April for $169.