Windows 7 has got off to a slow start in tablets and some are skeptical it can succeed in that type of device. Windows 7 wasn't designed primarily with tablets in mind, noted industry analyst Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies.

"I don't expect to see any serious Windows tablets until next year," when Windows 8 is expected, Bajarin said.

Still, he said some enterprise customers are interested. And a Windows tablet could be attractive because it will integrate more easily with existing management and security tools, he said.

Dell didn't give many details about the product. Lalla said in the interview that it will use the next version of Intel's Atom processor, known as Oak Trail, and that Dell will differentiate it from existing Windows 7 tablets by aiming it at specific vertical markets -- namely manufacturing, health care, finance and education.

It will also offer a "general purpose" model on Dell's Web site, he said.