The Apple iPad has proven that there is indeed demand for a multitouch tablet computer. The iPad, which weighs 1.5-pounds and has a 10-inch screen, has already sold more than 3 million units. This is beside the fact that the cheapest model costs $499. The electronics company says that over 20,000 third-party apps have been custom-made for iPad's large screen and features. This is in addition to the more than 200,000 iPhone apps that can be used on the device.

A slew of different companies are in a race to produce multitouch tablets that have more features than e-readers such as Amazon's Kindle. Like the iPad, such devices have capabilities such as Web surfing, social networking, email, games, productivity, navigation, e-book viewing, and music and video playback. The gadgets will form a challenge to laptops and netbooks as a primary portable computing device for consumers.

Dell is gaining entry into the market with the launch of its tablet. Dell's tablet, called the Streak, is quite unique. The device is smaller than most tablets, it has a 5-inch screen; in addition, the Streak can also make cellular voice calls. The device can either be a giant smartphone or a minitablet.

The Streak can cost either less or more than the iPad, which sells for $499. The Streak, which comes out on Aug. 13, costs $300 if taken with a new two-year AT&T contract. The inclusion of a data plan is a necessity in the contract. The cheapest plan for the iPad that includes cellular data connectivity is $629. Without an AT&T contract, the Streak has can be purchased for $550. The company says that the device is locked to the phone carrier, although the Streak can only be used as a Wi-Fi device.

Dell announced that The Streak would only be available through its Web site. The tablet will not be sold through Dell and AT&T stores.

The Streak is based on the Google Android operating system. The device has access to the about 70,000 third-party apps that can be purchased in the Android Market app store. Dell, however, could not name any apps tailored for its larger screen.

The Streak has a screen bigger than that of the iPhone (3.5-inch display) or the Blackberry Torch (3.2-inch display). However, it is not particularly larger when compared to other Android smartphones such as the HTC EVO, which have a 4.3-inch display. The device is long and skinny. It is 6 inches long and 3.11 inches wide. It is also much lighter than the iPad. It weighs in at just under half a pound; light for a tablet but heavy for a smartphone.

The Streak is said to fit comfortably in the pocket of loose jeans, or in a suit jacket's inner pocket. However, it canot fit into a shirt pocket or the pocket of more fitted pants. It would also prove bulky inside a small or medium-size woman's handbag. In addition, it also looks sort of ridiculous when held up to the ear when making a phone call.

In spite of the large size of the Streak's screen, the display's resolution, which is a measure of sharpness and the amount of content that can fit on a screen, is lower than the much smaller display on the iPhone 4. The device's resolution is too low for high-resolution video. An optional output dock is available for output of hi-res video to a TV.

The device also comes with the 1.6 version of Android, which is an outdated version of the operating system. Dell, however, says that the operating system will eventually be upgradeable to the latest edition.

Dell is marketing the Streak as a tablet first. It may appeal to those who see the iPad as a device that is too large to carry, yet want some of the tablet experience with a phone thrown in.