While power users can't get away with using the iPad as a laptop replacement (believe me, I tried), the great majority of normal users can. If all you do is check your email, surf the internet, absorb content, etc, you don't need a fully-fledged computer. Because most users don't use their computers to even half their capabilities, getting a tablet is really a smart idea. Extremely portable, versatile, no real risk of viruses (iPad), getting a tablet is a no-brainer for the ordinary person.

What's great, too, is that I have the first-gen iPad and it's still quick and snappy with the latest iOS update, a pleasure to use. Thinking like a normal user, this is a boon; no need to upgrade with every revision. The old iPad still checks my email and browses the internet just fine and I'm sure it'll be fine until the battery finally goes. For now, it still gets incredible battery life (even better with the latest update) and I can see it being a good device for at least a few more years.

With all that being said, I don't use it very often. But I'm a power user. It does most things I need, but it's not a enjoyable to manage other computers on a touch screen, the lack of a NIC adapter makes it difficult to tap into client networks when no wi-fi is available, and multitasking on the iPad just isn't good enough yet. I anticipate it the years to come, though, these things will change. And I look forward to it.

the ipad is a really great music production tool, much more immediate and portable than my laptop. a lot of the files and filetypes i generate sync seamlessly and wirelessly with specific applications on my laptop, allowing me to pick up where i left off when i want to take an idea further. it also makes a really responsive OSC/MIDI controller surface when performing/recording. nanostudio, beatmaker and music studio are all really feature-rich production environments.

i also use it for email, calendars, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on the reg, streaming music and video, editing short videos, note taking, and dropbox/evernote/icloud syncing. on top of that, i can use it as an extended monitor when i need to.

i know all you PC cats have 'serious' and 'real' work to do (which sounds like a farking blast, and i'm sure it has Real World Implications that People Who Matter care about), but for a lot of what i do, the ipad works great. its my money well spent on something i enjoy using. in terms of the 'walled garden,' i've been able to find an app out of the 500k or so available for everything i've wanted to with it, and stumbled across many more useful apps i wouldn't have even thought to look for on my own. its stable as motherfarker, too, and has unbelievable battery life.

recommended for people who like to make music and don't care what ragey white douchesquares on the internet think about their technology choices.

why do people care what I spend my motherfarking money on? Get over it.

Thisbymaster: I got an iPad from work, the only thing you can do with it is watch netflixs. Couldn't write emails or do anything. It was a waste of money.

You can't figure out how to use an iPad?

I work in custom integration and home automation and believe me, the iPad changed my industry virtually overnight. Now instead of $5k touch panels in the wall, we throw a $500 iPad and a $300 charging dock in the wall, or we have iPads in docks sitting all over the house.

The introduction of the iPad also forced the industry to refocus on the user interface. Take a look at Savant Home Automation (new window) to get an idea.

The iPad (for me) isn't just a big iPod. It's a new way to interact with all the electronics, security, lighting, and HVAC systems in your house. Pretty soon DIY products with the iPad (or other tablet) will start to become fairly common.

Cascading results from the release of a big iPod. Hmm.

farkeruk: Translation: In five years, ten, they'll be how idiots who don't care about having flexible computers, good keyboards or money goof about on the sofa.

Read: 99% of users

You're not gonna go broke betting on tablets.

dprathbun: Who cares?

People are consuming things you don't like! This is an outrage!