Microsoft Corporation has recently introduced a Touch-Screen tablet which– looks very much like a copy of the speculated Apple Tablet – from Hewlett-Packard Co.(HPQ). This was offically announced by Microsofts Corp’s chief executive officer Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft intends on unveiling this device – A windows 7 powered Touchscreen device known as the Tablet/Slate, at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, CA. During a press Conference, Mr. Ballmer mentioned that this device would bridge the gap between Laptops and Smartphones.

Mr.Ballmer did not mention about the pricing or about a time frame within which we can expect this device in stores. An earlier New York Times report said it could go on sale by mid-2010. Microsoft’s presentation, which kicked off the world’s biggest consumer technology show, started late after a power outage and suffered a few tech hiccups.

Apple is also doing their best to keep up in the race. Apple tablet will lauch their slate device somewhere in January and will hit the stores in March.