Steve Ballmer debuted Microsoft's upcoming tablet in his CES keynote.
(Click for larger image and for full photo gallery.)

The company which loomed largest at this year's Consumer Electronics Show was one whose name won't be found on the event's exhibitor list. Yet Apple's expected January 27 introduction of a tablet device was the virtual elephant in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Many believe that Microsoft rushed a CES announcement of its own Tablet PC, co-developed with HP, to steal some of Apple's thunder. Dell and Freescale also showed off concept tablet devices at the show.

Despite the tablet frenzy, the consumer-oriented tech on display at the show was mostly in the usual sweet spot of smartphones, home video products, and entertainment gadgets.

We have two image galleries for you. The first (top right) culls some of those offerings, along with a look at some of the booths and people at the show, using images courtesy of 2010 International CES.

The second (bottom) presents product shots from our ongoing CES news coverage during the show. As well, here are links to those stories:

For Further Reading

Microsoft Previews Slate PC At CES;

From Slates To Phones, Ballmer Says Microsoft's Got It

Microsoft Gets Touchy At CES

Freescale Tablet PC Prototype.
(Click for larger image and for more photos.)

Dell Intros Tablet PC Concept;

E-Reader Platforms Debut At CES;

Intel CEO Aims Beyond The PC;

Ford Rewires Cars For Connectivity;

Asus Intros Laptops, Videophone At CES

Motorola Intros Android Backflip At CES;

Freescale Intros Tablet PC Prototype;

Cisco Video Thrust Telegraphs Bandwidth-Bandit Strategy;

CES Preview: Tablet PCs, Smartbooks Take Spotlight.