Word is out that Toshiba is closer to releasing its new Windows 7 tablet. But it won’t be available for purchase until the second half of 2011, reports Engadget.

During the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, Toshiba had a model on display but did not offer too many details.

When completed, it will feature “an 11.6-inch display and will be powered by Intel's Atom Oak Trail processor,” Engadget reports.

The site adds that Notebook Italia found out it will have 64GB of storage and 2GB of RAM.

Meanwhile, Toshiba is working on the tablet so it is more “touch-friendly,” reports Engadget, adding that it may not be sold in every market.

Ever since the iPad was introduced last year and became wildly popular with consumers, there have been numerous attempts by other companies to introduce their own tablets. And Apple’s iPad may face tough competition from the new line of tablets, according to a recent report from TechZone360.

In August, TechZone360 reported that the iPad was unlikely to face a viable competitor until 2011 – even with all the new tablets being offered. 

But Strategy Analytics says that Apple’s share of the global market for tablets fell to 75 percent during the fourth quarter from 95 percent in the third quarter, TechZone360 says. In addition, the overall market for tablets jumped 120 percent to almost 10 million units, TechZone360 adds.

In addition, Google’s Android software had a 22 percent share of the tablet computer market during the fourth quarter, TechZone360 reports. Strategy Analytics predicts Android will add to its market share during the first six months of 2011. It will be helped by new tablets coming into the marketplace, such as the Xoom from Motorola Mobility, TechZone360 said.