Waiting for the Mac Tablet.

Where's Apple Computer's answer to the Tablet PC? The Mac maker isn't talking yet, but I predict it will have plenty to say about Microsoft's new portable-computing initiative next yearif the pen-driven slate takes hold in the market.

Bill Gates' pet project is now open for business, and a string of PC makers have lined up to push their own visions of Tablet PC hardware.

It's my strong belief let's call it a hunch that prototype Mac tablets are already making the rounds among select developers.

If I'm right, this pre-release hardware combines a next-generation, low-power Motorola PowerPC chip and formidable screen real estate into a typically impressive Apple industrial design. The hardware is lightweight and slender, and the battery life skunks comparable Tablet PCs.

I'm betting that Apple is employing some pen-input technology from Wacom (which also helped trick out the Tablet PC), but I'd say the rest of the software is homegrown, pairing Mac OS X with the company's impressive handwriting-recognition technology.

While I don't know if Microsoft's Mac Business Unit is in on the scheme, I'd be most surprised if Apple hasn't briefed some of the long-time Mac software companies that have already lined up behind Microsoft's tablet initiative, from Adobe to Alias|Wavefront.

Nota bene: I've yet to get my hands on a smoking pen that will verify the Tablet Mac's existence. Any readers with first-hand experience are welcome to drop me a line (in the strictest confidence, of course).