ipad looks really good but am not sure it is practical ;(
That kind of sums up my point - what exactly do Apple think it can be used for?
Netbook replacement - with no multitasking, USB or any other ports/readers, Flash or keyboard (and dodgy network connectivity apparently)? No. I know some of these are options, but its already monumentally expensive.
E-Reader - with a 10hr battery life? Also its a bit heavy to hold aloft for long. I wonder how good the screen is in strong sunlight - I used a Kindle recently and found it very easy to use, although I still prefer paper.
Portable Media player - erm iPod anyone? And at that price?
Business device - I wouldn't want to have to type for too long without a keyboard. The fact it uses the iPhone OS rather than Mac OS suggest this isn't what aApple envisaged anyway
Social networking device - I can use all of them on my crappy old Windows phone, or a netbook (though I don't actually bother) - both of which allow me to IM whilst also working / check mail / play games etc, which you can't on an iPad due to no multitasking.
It seems to me to be a jack of all trades, master of none. Unlike the iPod, iPhone and Mac, it has no clear use. Like the iPod, iPhone and Mac it is stylish and easy to use, has no user-changeable battery and is insanely expensive.
And you have to give all that money to Apple, who don't seem to give two sh1ts about their customers (admittedly, that's not exactly unique though).
I just don't get it - I think the iPhone and iPod are over-rated, but at least they perform their core functions reasonably well - I don't even know what the core function of the iFad is.