Quite a lot (probably much too much) has been written and said about the iPad, but of it all, I think Steven Frank had some astute thoughts. From his conclusion:
The iPad as a particular device is not necessarily the future of computing. But as an ideology, I think it just might be. In hindsight, I think arguments over “why would I buy this if I already have a phone and a laptop?” are going to seem as silly as “why would I buy an iPod if it has less space than a Nomad?”
It's worth reading the thinking that leads to that. Check it out.