At the Worldwide Partner Conference today, Steve Ballmer confirmed that Windows 7 based slate tablets were on their way from ASUS, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba and Sony later this year. No official models or specs were unveiled, but the Microsoft CEO did mention there would be various form factors including models with and without keyboards, dockable models, and even digital ink models.

It looks like Microsoft and these companies have the iPad in their sights wih these tablets. It would make sense that the Eee Pad by ASUS and the Libretto W100 from Toshiba would have Windows 7 based models, and with their specs the iPad would be their biggest competition. Seeing how they incorporate e-ink into fully functional tablets will be interesting to see as well.