Experts Wary of Toshiba Challenge to iPad

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Unfortunately for Toshiba, whether it's the Libretto or the unnamed touch tablet, it might not matter. Analysts say the company's offerings in the tablet market might be hindered by their operating systems.

During the event, Whittard said the unnamed tablet would run both Android and Windows based software. The Libretto runs on Windows. Windows in particular is ill-suited to tablets, said Leslie Fiering, analyst at Gartner. "In order to run Windows 7, the device has to be heavier. It has to have more weight, more components and more overhead expenses," she said.

This does not compare well with the lighter, easier to use iPad, which also features a longer lasting battery. Fiering says by creating a media consumption device, Apple hit the nail on the head of what people want. Now everyone else is playing catch up.

"We're going to see a bunch of systems that will be chasing Apple. In order to succeed, you need a compelling interface, compelling application library and it needs to be surrounded by compelling services. It is not going to happen on Windows," Fiering said.

Dmitriy Molchanov, analyst at The Yankee Group, also says the Windows operating system is ill-fitted for the tablet space. "Running a modified version of Windows 7 isn't going to sell you many tablets. Running an OS that helps you connect to media, friends and the web easily will. For that reason I don't think the Libretto will be terribly successful," he said in an email.

Android's problems with tablets have more to do with the business than the technology. According to Rob Enderle, analyst at The Enderle Group, Google would rather tablets adopt Chrome than Android. "They want the Chrome operating system, but it isn't ready. They aren't providing the level of support to make the Android work on a tablet. They aren't blocking from companies from building, but they aren't helping," he said.

Enderle said it's no surprise HP avoided both Windows and Android and decided to purchase Palm. That may provide the opening for Toshiba, as HP has to integrate Palm and that will take some time.

"Given the choices they have, Toshiba is making the best of them. Plus using both Windows and Android will allow them faster time to the market. It'll be tough to beat Apple because they have everything together with an integrated solution. But the good news is Apple is overcharging, so there is room to come underneath Apple in terms of price. That might make a difference to some folks," Enderle said.