Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is no slouch -- he knows Apple iPads are exceptionally popular and that the tablet PC has arrived. Sure, iPads have been available since April, but some Windows 7 slates will be coming out soon.

"They'll be shipping as soon as they're ready," Ballmer said today at Microsoft's Financial Analyst Meeting in Redmond. "This is Job 1 around here. Nobody is sleeping at the switch."

Ballmer thinks Microsoft is in a good position for the emerging tablet market. Windows 7, which has built-in touch-screen support, can be installed on numerous form factors -- slates, hybrids, ultralights ...

People will want options. And right now, as far as tablets, Apple's just got the iPad.

"They've sold certainly more than I'd like them to sell," Ballmer admitted.

So when Windows 7 slates start coming out -- in about month, Ballmer hopes -- there should be many options. And Microsoft thinks that's a good position to be in.

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