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According to reports on Cnet's Crave, an Asus engineer let slip that "Asus is helping Apple build a tablet PC," though the source curiously failed to provide any further details.

The story is lent credibility by the fact

Windows-based tablet PCs have struggled to gain anything like mainstream acceptance, even though the tablet technology is now fully integrated into Windows Vista. However, Apple may be tempted to venture where Microsoft has failed following the success of the multi-touch screen on the iPod - an outcome we predicted back in September.

Sadly the reports fail to mention any specifications, though it's probable it will be built on Intel's Core architecture and run on a variant of Leopard.

If the story bears fruit it would mark an interesting turnaround for Apple and Steve Jobs in particular, who is reported to be highly-sceptical of the tablet PC concept.