By your logic why by an iPod when we already have cds, and portable cd players?

The iPad has the same benifits for print, and all other media that the iPod gave for music.

Not everyone wants to lug around a laptop everywhere they go. Not everyone feels like busting out a laptop, wait for it to boot up just to check/write an email. Not everyone owns an iPhone (shockingly enough) or any smartphone for that matter. The comment about tablets from “2003″ is quite interesting, but they still fall short for one reason - No multi touch. Anyone who has owned an iPhone can very easily tell you the difference between a multi touch device and one without.

The iPad fits in a space between the iPhone/Touch and a full fledged laptop like the macbook pro. I own both of these devices, and I can’t even begin to describe how annoying it is to deal with a laptop sometimes, even a beautiful, thin one like the Macbook Air in an airplane. Half of the time I use my iPhone instead.

And at the end of the day, the best things about the iPad that a “Microsoft” tablet could never, ever do is: Run OSX and have seamless integration with iTunes/App Store. And no, I’m not the least interested in some janky, jerry-rigged, unstable, “hakintosh” project. You need to open your eyes and realize that there’s people for which an iPad will fit their needs, and there’ll be people for who a 2003 tablet will do fine.

Though let me know when your $30 “book” can play movies, tv shows, podcasts, music, browse the internet, display all my photography, play games, has a GPS, develop a keynote, watch youtube and send emails.

How much would you pay for a device like this?
500
700
1,000
more?

No, its around $30 in the US and $40 in Canada and it is called BOOK. From the makers of SCROLL and Writings on Cave Wall comes this revolutionary new technology that will change your life, you can buy BOOK at what is called a BOOK Store, or you can get BOOK for free by going to a government funded organization called a “Library”

The iPhone works for me right now, but it is very impractical if you are trying to “wow” someone with photographs that are only 3 inches big. And of course you always run the risk of getting an inappropriate text message while showing your mom family pictures.

Everything else is merely icing on the cake for me - including what Jay said. I am heavily invested in the iTunes model and constantly purchase music, tv shows and often rent movies.

By all means, get an iPad. I think every tech fan should have one of the new Apple devices (iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch) just because it feels like a more modern way to interact with the computer (their multi-touch screen OS.) I just don’t think you need all three.

If you have $500 plus to burn on a reader, yes, it’s an awesome reader. You won’t be producing your podcast on it…unless there’s a app for that.