HP Launches TouchPad Tablet at Tech Data

With plenty of the latest gadgets from Hewlett-Packard on display to try out, casual Fridays never felt so good at the  offices.

The technology company was the site for the Florida launch of Hewlett-Packard's tablet Friday afternoon. The TouchPad hopes to take on its main competitor, Apple's iPad, this summer with its Flash capabilities and "next-level" multitasking.

Along with technology, HP brought a party to the workplace with barbecue catered by Sonny's and a photobooth complete with costumes.

The HP TouchPad kickoff was in full swing when a surprise parking lot concert by Gainesville's Sister Hazel began about noon.

Employees began to file out of the building and toward the stage as quickly as their legs would carry them as soon as they heard the electric guitars.

Even for those who aren't fans of the band, it was a nice break for most of the Tech Data force to get away from their cubicles.

"The purpose of the event was to officially launch the HP TouchPad," said Samantha Elkhouly, spokeswoman for Datex International. "And to bring awareness to the product."

Tech Data and HP had that covered as every surface of the building was decorated in theme for the day.

The HP TouchPad weighs 1.6 pounds, sports a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, and is available in 16GB or 32GB versions.