If you expected the next generation of tablet PCs to be light on your pocket, think again. The DigitalRise X9 could be mistaken for the Apple tablet, but with a built-in NES game emulator and Windows 7 OS we quickly realize it is not.

With a decent 10.2” multi-touch screen that is dust, scratch, and fire resistant giving you a resolution of 1024 x 600, an Atom 270 processor, standard 945GS chipset, 2GB of RAM, 160 GB Sata hard drive, 3 USB slots, one card reader (SD/MS/MMC/MS-Pro) and i’m still not even finished.

The company DigitalRise is popular in the EU, so we haven’t heard much from them out this way. Let’s get on with the rest of the specs. The X9 also has built-in GPS Navigation, Bluetooth, WiFi, and Mp3-Mp5 support.  A 2,800 mAh or 3,500 mAh battery are available which can provide an estimated 4 hours of play time.  At 2kg with dimensions of 226.3×166.9×24.7 mm it’s not a bad size.

Software wise, it runs on Windows 7.0 OS and comes with office file viewing applications, communication software and of course, that NES game emulator.

Given a 4 star rating on ChinaGrabber (where it is available for sale), it sells for $780 ($220 off list price) and ships on February 3rd.

Would you go with a device like this, or wait for the real deal from Apple?