It’s no secret that Microsoft wants a piece of the tablet market (see Microsoft "hardcore" about Windows 7 tablets) but it’s running late, just like it is in the smartphone space.

Even though we’re still waiting for tablets announced at this year’s CES, the company is now said to be readying a new range of tablets for the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show this January.

The New York Times, citing “people familiar with Microsoft’s plans”, says that Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is expected to  announce a number of new devices from manufacturers such as Samsung and Dell.

The Samsung device is said to be similar in size and shape to the Apple iPad, but not as thin. It also includes a keyboard that slides out from below for easy typing.

This tablet is expected to run Windows 7 in landscape mode, but will also have a “layered interface that will appear when the keyboard is hidden and the device is held in a portrait mode”.

Interestingly the report concludes with, “Another person with knowledge of Microsoft’s plans said Steve Ballmer might demonstrate a tablet and other companion devices running the next operating system, Windows 8.”

Source: New York Times