TI and AllGo are selling the reference design along with a prototype tablet for . That includes the hardware layout, schematics, drivers and design, TI's He said.

Hardware makers could potentially turn to Chinese manufacturers and buy Cortex-A8 tablets for less than $70 per unit in volume. But He said paying $999 for the reference design is a good deal because customers also get support and the ability to customize their tablet for specific needs.

Customers also get advice where to buy parts to achieve the low-price point, He said.

Tablets can be harder to build than PCs, with their tightly integrated parts. The costs to build an Etab tablet compare favorably will some Cortex-A8 alternatives, including the Galaxy Tab, which was released in late 2010 and , according to IHS iSuppli.

Some inexpensive ARM-based boards are also available, including the , which does not include the outer case. Raspberry Pi Foundation has open-sourced the PC design, publishing the layout, design and schematics for use by enthusiasts.