(Credit: DealExtreme)

Though the Apple iPad managed to hit retail shelves first, it was really the JooJoo tablet (formerly known as the CrunchPad) which first garnered consumer interest in the low-cost slate category. Previously, slate tablets such as the Fujitsu Stylistic series were priced at around S$3,000 (US$2,114.16) and a standard Intel/Windows platforms. Fusion Garage's JooJoo tablet and Apple's iPad, however, showed that a cheap device with an optimized touch interface is the way to go.

While one may be tempted to gamble on the future of the JooJoo tablet based on the amazing sales of the iPad, early reports in the US (where Fusion Garage's device has been available) showed that the operating system still needs work. Moreover, at US$499 it costs the same as the 16GB iPad, but with less RAM and an unproven platform.

Still, this is an interesting slate which may, in time, prove to be a decent competitor. If you are a consumer in Singapore, you can preorder a JooJoo tablet here and expect the first units to start shipping on June 1.

Update: This just in. The JooJoo tablet will retail for S$699 (US$492.60) in Singapore exclusive of shipping charges.