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In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably say that while I am writing this post on an iPad (yes, there's an app for that), I don't own any Apple stock.
A lot of people I really respect have asked lately what the big deal about the iPad is, "It's just a big iPhone" they say. In fact, I think they have it backwards. The iPhone is actually a pocket sized iPad (I've taken to calling mine an iPad Nano).
The real question is do you want to interact with the world leaning forward at a desk or leaning back into your couch?
Ironically, the one place the laptop was never really used was on your lap. Let's be honest, it was at best a nomadic desktop. The iPad is used in your lap, in your hand, in bed and yes (thanks to this little guy) in the bath, try doing that with your laptop.
If you're an iPhone user (which if your reading this blog you probably are) and a business traveller, how often do you really have to pull out your laptop? I pull it out for a couple of reasons, writing (not reading) long emails, giving presentations (although lately thanks to Mighty Meeting I've been using my phone for that) and browsing the internet.
Well, the ipad provides a great email experience, a superior web browsing experience and has keynote built right in. Plus, my laptop can do so many things that my MacBook Air can't (like get through security without emptying my bag).
There's been a lot of talk about the iPad's lack of multitasking, but I think that's misleading (I'm not sure if at this point I should point out that I'm listening to the new XX album on my iPad while I write this post). Most situations don't really call for multi-tasking. What they call for is instant on, instant suspend apps, which is exactly what the iPad has (I actually copied and pasted this paragraph from Pages, but more about Pages later). In many ways this is much better than true multitasking because it uses less system resources which makes for a much more pleasant user experience.
I won't go into a lengthy review, if you're looking for that there's a great list here.
I'm going to leave you with a few highlights and encourage you to get your hands on one as soon as you can.
What I love about my iPad:
- It just makes sense (browse the web on it for five minutes and you'll never go back).
- It's genuinely mobile in a way the laptop never was.
- With the ingenuity of developers there's no limit to what it'll do.
- The games are amazing. The big screen makes all the difference. My favorites, Sandstorm HD and Asphalt 5 HD.
- My kids get it right away. Even our three year old knows how to use it (thanks to hours on the iphone in the last year).
- Pages (only $9.99 in the app store) may be the best document creation tool ever.
- Magazines are amazing on the iPad. Finally a way for me to avoid destroying them in the bath.
What could be better:
- At 1.5 lbs its a little heavy (did I really just say that?).
- A built in camera (front and back) would be really nice.
- In really bright light there's some screen glare and you see all the fingerprints
- I keep trying to use my laptop screen as a touchscreen now. It just feels like it should be, I hold my iPad responsible for that.
- I've not figured out the keyboard shortcuts with an external keyboard yet (help please) and why can't I use whatever the opposite of delete is by clicking Apple+Delete.
Jon Dale 
Ironically, immediately after posting this from my iPad I had to use my laptop to add links to the post. This happened because TypePad.com automatically detected my browser as being an iPhone and insisted on giving me the mobile version of their editor (which doesn’t allow the addition of hyperlinks) and I couldn’t figure out how to get to the standard version.
I trust that six apart will fix that right away. Nothings worth than having a beautiful big screen and being forced to look at the mobile version of a site. Time for a “Standard” view link TypePad!
Now I want one…ugh…going to try to hold out for a little bit.
Dont do it Lindsey.  Just get one now so you can enjoy it for longer.  Early adoption has its privileges!
Jon
Sent from my iPad
Can’t wait to get mine. I am sure that it will just get better from here. Thanks for the preview.
What do you think of this article, Jon?
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/02/why-i-wont-buy-an-ipad-and-think-you-shouldnt-either.html
Insights? Rebuttal?
I love Cory Doctorow’s science fiction books. He invented the idea of Wuffie, which is the foundation of much of my work.
Obviously Boing Boing is one of the many Mainstream “New” Media outlets I was referring to in my headline. I hadn’t seen this post yet, thanks for posting it.
Jon,
I got my hands on one this morning. The most fabulous piece of technology I’ve ever held in my hands. In a word: gorgeous.
The words “my precious” came to mind 🙂
At this point, I’m thinking of waiting until the 3G version. I don’t have a MiFi, and I’d like the location based services that will come with the 3G.
Of course I’d like to wait until the camera(s) come too, but…
Bill Petro
http://www.billpetro.com
Jon, great summary. As I said in my post, I love Pages. Thanks so much for the find. I have already written 2 blog posts, a proposal, an application, reviewed a friends proposal, and edited a few other documents. I absolutely agree that it is the best text editor out there. Working with images in it is just plain fun. Working in Microsoft word is going to be a slog from now on.
It’s actually time for you to switch to WordPress.
I was able to convince our IT department that I needed one. It should be arriving in the next week or so…at no cost to me. Ah the perks of being employed. I can’t wait!
“I’ve not figured out the keyboard shortcuts with an external keyboard yet (help please) and why can’t I use whatever the opposite of delete is by clicking Apple+Delete.”
Jon, isn’t it the ‘function+Delete’ combo?
function+delete does the same thing as delete.  I want it to delete the letters to the right of the cursor.
Thanks,
Jon
One really great thing about it as well: creatives like us who sometimes work at home now avoids the “you’re always at the computer” nag (from kids + wife)… Work is now done in the computer, while Internet research and reading on the couch (or wherever). It lessens dependency to the desk and time spent on it… 🙂
How do you type on an iPad? I can type 70 words a minute on a standard keyboard, and I think I would be frustrated by typing some other way.
Shirley,
I dont know if youll be able to type 70 words a minute on the iPad, but I think youll be presently surprised by how well the on screen keyboard works.  
I love it.
Jon