When the iPad (or similar device) can play games, then I might consider it. I don't mean flash games, or browser games, or stuff like that, I want Sins, Elemental, Dragon Age, etc. Until they can do that, I'm sticking with my laptop. But if I wasn't a gamer, I could totally understand the appeal. Hell, it's appealing now even though I'm a gamer.

They appear to be switching one graphics load (game) for another (HD Decompression) - hence the CPU requirement.  That said, they did get it working on an ipad, which is a formfactor significantly cheaper than most PCs designed with gaming in mind.

From a processor standard, your processors aren't getting faster, but we can place more of them down.  Therefore we're looking at a future where a device with only one core will become rarer and rarer, to be reserved for low-power designs.  There are still a couple of reasons why Onlive and the business model that they are putting forward may not work, but I don't think the dual-core requirement is one of them.

It depends on the user.  If a person is primarily a digital consumer, rather than any form of producer, then an iPad or similar device with its properties which Brad outlined makes a lot of sense.  So the question then, is how many people actually need devices upon which they produce digital content away from the office?

My point with the Onlive reference, is that as we get better at making digital content lightly consumable, better video compression, streaming games, etc.  Then for the vast majority of users (who only consume, not produce) the iPad and devices like it become a better and better choice.

How about just double clicking the movie or the DVD drive ? And don't You use Your own tools like OD+ or Fences ?

In the state it is now, the iPad still is an oversized iPhone for me. So I'll stick with my iPhone 3GS and for other tasks I will use my tuned eeePC netbook or my full Asus laptop if I need a bigger device. Will get an iPhone 4 when the rush/run for it has calmed a bit though.

I think this sums it up -

you cant compare an iPad to a Laptop - they are built for different purposes as you also mentioned.

While I can develop applications/ run a SQL Database/ Connect to the Internet/ Watch a Movie/ Read a Book/ Play an Online Game/ Video Conferencing/ Run Flash Apps/ etc on my Laptop -

I would never think of doing such a thing on an iPad - i would however look at it to

Share photos/ Play music/ Read a Book/ Watch a Movie/ ...

Each has its own purpose and niche -

Personally - the iPad has a cool factor that a laptop doesnt -

Although i have to disagree with the statement 'It just works'

So far - everything on my Laptop - just works - i can connect to any WiFi - easily - and watch a movie - play a song - etc.

To each their own- hope you enjoy your iPad!

you cant create art on the ipad or type..... so pc and laptop still win hands down. to me, ipad just looks like an oversized ipod....*sigh* i dont like it

thing is though, would you really want to be constantly looking at e-mails and other work related stuff all the time? as has been said when a laptop is off, its off with something that is connected permanently such as a smartphone or an i pad there may come a time where there is always something that has to be done and free time goes out the window

I think he listed a bunch of reasons in the post.  

My biggest issue with the ipad, besides the fact that it is an Apple product is the flash storage! It is limited and I like to have my stuff with me when I need it not remote in to my PC to download a needed file and I am not sure but I believe there is some Cloud Computing scheme to store the movies. I would take one for a gift, but I will not buy one!

here's my take on an iPad after using one for a few weeks now....

In order to make full use of the iPad one must be willing to change the way we think of "computing".

1.   make as much use of "cloud computing" as possible which means that some of us might need to make a 180 degree turn around from storage-centric thinking to that of "streaming"

2.   understand (as brad pointed out) that the iPad is primarily a "consumption device" which (if harnessed correctly) can effectively replace all/every other digital consumption devices a person currently owns

3.   eventhough the iPad cannot be used effectively as a (at least on par with any other) content-creation device it can however be used to review, present, transmit said created content and in a pinch can even be used to remotely control said "content-creation devices" remotely.

For me the power of the iPad is particularily apparent in a remote/streaming capacity.  I can sit on the dock at the summer house and (via 3G) remotely admin any/all of my servers, watch live or pre-recorded TV shows streamed to the iPad, review/edit documents and access a centralized calendar and email accounts literally with the flick of a finger.  To me, that is TRUE technological innovation.  Sure 3G streaming still has it's issues, but all of the above are huge steps in the right direction.

I say, keep it coming............in the meantime maybe we need to re-think our computational needs and our overall aproach to computing.  Just because we've always done things a certain way doesn't mean "different" can't have something progressive to offer.

If used correctly, using the iPad can feel like you're holding the reins to the IT infrastructure in your life.  A very powerful tool if used in that way.   

By the way, I'm not an apple-fanboi (just in case my post was going to draw some flames in that vein), I have equal parts PC and Apple devices in the IT structure of my life.

the Monk

That's actually my main problem with the company. Their marketing campaign is centered around being the hip new thing, the cool thing. It is an excellent and succesful marketing campaign, but as you said, really cheeses me off. There is a certain pretentiousness that many of the more rabid Apple fanboys seem to posses. Although really anyone with an unhealthy fixation on one way of doing anything is likely to be annoying...Most of my friends are neutral and don't care either way. But when I see one of Mac's commercials, my reflex is to roll my eyes. Steve Jobs is a succesful businessman, and he has a lot of people suckered on his marketing technique.

Like it or not, that is my two cents.

I think you have it right. Apple wants to change the way we compute. But it doesn't seem organic...and when it seems like some higher up is trying to tell you how and what to do, in a way that they think is best for you, it tends to be a huge turn off.

Personally, I think this kind of techonlogical advancement is a good thing, but I only hope mobile computing does not stagnate in the Consumption-Only bog it's in now with the iPad. I hope it continues to evolve to the point where you can be a serious content producer on such devices.

That, IMO, was and is the great thing about personal computers above Radio, TV, and other revolutionary devices. The ability for the user to create content (without jumping through crazy hoops), not just consume it. The ability to choose what content to consume, not just the ones approved by a certain regulatory committee or board of executives.

So let's all hope popular demand and competition will glean the positive attributes of iPad, et al, and whittle the negatives.

heard a report on the BBC regarding the plant that manufacturers the iphone and ipad in southern China. there have been 14 suicides in the last year due to working conditions/low wages. workers work 10 hours days 7 days a week and regardless of seniority earn 1$/hour.