The HP Slate 500 tablet PC was one of the most anticipated devices of the year. It was originally unveiled by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at CES in January. But after Ballmer revealed the product’s existence, HP said very little about the device. In fact, speculation ran rampant for months wondering if HP had discontinued the product, if it was going to replace it with something else, or if it would eventually hit store shelves. Neither Microsoft nor HP would comment during that period. But after a long wait, HP has finally decided to offer the Slate to make a fresh foray into tablet space and try its luck against Apple’s iPad. The Slate 500 boasts Windows 7 Professional, 2GB of onboard memory, up to a 64GB hard drive and an 8.9-inch display. It also includes a 3-megapixel camera and an integrated VGA Webcam. According to HP, the device is designed for enterprise customers. Its price starts at $799. To some enterprise customers or even consumers who have designs on getting their hands on a Windows 7-based tablet, the Slate 500 might seem like a fine solution. But further inspection reveals it just might not be. There are several products on the market, ranging from laptops to smartphones, that will appeal more to customers than HP’s Slate 500. Here’s a look at some products that should appeal more to customers than the HP Slate 500. – …