It looks a lot like my iPod Touch but after viewing the demo online, wow! I'm blown away. This is by far the gucciest thing out there.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/
If you're not someone who needs to have a DVD/CD drive/burner then why would you need a laptop when you can get the iPad and do it all?
Now, I'm not saying it replaces a laptop for certain functions but they have designed it with iWork and it runs Keynote, Pages and Numbers as well, you can import Office documents and open PDF files. You have access to 140,000 Apps the minute you turn it on. If you're looking to manage all your daily tasks and activities and remain mobile, this PED is the cat's meow! I would love to see how it handles to read articles, books and watch movies. It has a multi touch screen you can flip anyway you want and the keyboard is almost the same size as a laptop's. For the traveler or just as a means to stay in touch with the world, this is by far the best way to do it. When you add the Wi-Fi + 3G capability (64GB model $829USD) you have just replaced the Rogers stick or Bell's equivalent with an internal modem. You can stay in touch with all your contacts and run your day-to-day activities via the mail and calendar/planner functions. What more can you want? Just the wi-fi capability of my Touch is outstanding, imagine the 3G version where you can access the Net everywhere your cell phone provider serves? With the Skype app, you just turned it into a relatively free cellphone and Bob's you uncle (literally and figuratively).
It's 9.5 inches high, 7.5 inches wide, 0.5 inches thick and weighs only 1.6lbs (with 3G). The built-in lithium-polymer rechargeable battery provides you with 10 solid hours of surfing the web with wi-fi. It charges just like the iPod Touch or iPhone via a charger adapter or USB port and already has iTunes loaded on so no need to sync with another PC/Mac. With pricing (in USD) ranging from $499, $599, $699 (16, 32 and 64GB wi-fi) to $629, $729 and $829 in the 3G model I am sold on this piece of technological gold and I will put it on my Christmas wish list.
I'll be anxious to read comments on Wired to see if it is everything I'm hoping it to be. Once it becomes available in Canada, I will drop in my favourite store (Apple) and play with it a little.
Chuck
