According to reports from The New York Times and MacRumors, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, will introduce a new tablet device during his CES keynote in Las Vegas this evening.

On Wednesday, Mr. Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, will unveil a novel take on a slate-type computer during his evening keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, according to people familiar with Microsoft’s plans. The slate will be made by Hewlett-Packard and possibly available by mid-year, these people said.

This may be a preemptive strike by Microsoft and HP given the rumors swirling about the Apple iSlate (rumored name) and its announcement on January 27th (date not confirmed by Apple).

Source: MacRumors