What really limits it is the all so apparent greediness of control-freakish Apple, and the simple fact that it is a v.1.0 version. What one hopes will save the concept is the wave of apps and add-ons that will emerge and take advantage of the format, and the Google guys providing a more open alternative.

Its Norway,no rocket science needed to update a twitter account,wich is basicly what he does anyway

He is a socialist though,dont think his voters like him to buy 500$ gadgets while at the same time asking the common person for more taxes and more goverment savings.

iPad: so useless it can run a government.

I think people need a computer in today’s world or at least access to one. But this is clearly a luxury item. It’s easier and more convenient for digital media but your laptop can do that and more.

The iPhone/iPod Touch can already do all of this, but the user experience is limited by the screen size.

A full laptop and/or desktop can do all of this, but the user experience is limited by the user interface and the relatively bulky equipment.

At this moment in time the only device on the market that has been optimized to provide the best experience in the consumption of all types of digital media is the iPad. There is literally nothing else like it currently on the market. If you can’t see that then please sell your Apple stock. To me.

As for similar devices, I’ve considered the Kindle as I love to read, but I dunno, there is something to be said for holding a real book in your hands. Right now, I just bring a book or three and then have some audiobooks on the Ipod and that is fine for me.

My primary computer is a desktop. My iPad is replacing my laptop as my secondary computer.

Bult then, who cares? The iPad clearly isn’t worth anyone’s while. Just like them new-fangled horseless carriages or that crazy television that everyone is talking about. Why do you need an automobile or a televisiion when your horse and your radio will do the same jobs?

Should everyone get an iPad? Certainly not, if you don’t have a need for it. But don’t condemn an entire product just because you don’t have a use for it in your own life.

The iPad(d) is impressive. It makes nerds happy by looking like something off of Star Trek, and it even has the right name to back that perception up. (I’m sure that it’s only a matter of time before somebody develops an LCARS background for it.) And as such a nerd, I find that I want one just for the 24th century look.

As a high school teacher, though I can also see several real uses for this device. For me, it does everything mobile that I need: full-on word processing, slideshow creating and presenting, and internet access. It also allows me to play movies and music in a fairly portable manner for road trips, plane rides, sitting in the park, or working after school. In short, I could easily lose my laptop for one of these.

That said, the iPad cannot function as a person’s sole computer, only as a supplement, and it makes no sense to own a laptop and then another half-laptop that performs the same tasks with slightly more portability and slightly less capability. In the same way, it makes little sense to own an iPad and an iPhone or iTouch, because they are mostly redundant in function. The iTouch fits in your pocket, and the iPhone makes phone calls, while the iPad allows for office work.

I would suggest using a basic rule of proportion: your supplement must be on such a smaller and more limited scale than your primary computer as to perform a different service. If you own a laptop and want a supplement, get an iPhone or iTouch. If you own a desktop, get an iPad. The desktop would function as your home base, housing all of your media files and advanced programs. The iPad would become the module that you load with the things you need with you. Have an extra keyboard at your office desk, and you’re set to go. (This assumes that you do not need to use company-provided programs at work, but I’m a teacher, so I’m pretty free to use what I want outside of official grade-reporting.)

Ideally, I could even see this system working as the basis of a household computing network. The family purchases one heavy-duty desktop and an iPad for each member. The overall cost remains comparatively low, and everyone retains an individual device capable of performing most daily tasks. The shared desktop covers the other occasional needs and holds all the photos and media for synching.