Pictures of Dell's iPad challenger leaked

Leaked promotional pictures of Dell's rumoured new tablet have surfaced, showing a strikingly similar design to the iPad.

The first device, shown briefly at this year's CES trade show, is to be called the Streak 5 and will be released within months, according to documents obtained by Engadget. The larger Streak 7 will released later in the year, with the Streak 10 scheduled for 2011.

"Dell continually develops and tests new products that extend the mobile experience,” the company said in a statement. “We have not made any product announcements and do not comment on speculation, rumor or unannounced products."

Dell has been making cautious progress into the smartphone market over the last year, signing deals to sell its 3G Mini 3i handset in the US, China and Brazil. However the pictures are the first proof that the company is making a serious play for the emerging tablet market that is being driven by the iPad.

HP has been releasing teasers about a new devices called the Slate, which mimics the iPad, and Nokia is rumoured to be working on an iPad-like device running Android.