Infographic: Cost/benefit analysis of the entry-level iPad and six other ereaders

Jobs basically said that the netbook is flawed because it doesn't achieve the objectives it set out to, if any.

If all the people biased against Apple would just think for one second they would realize that this device will be THE BEST device for posting against Apple products.

I'll pass for now on the iPad. First generation anythings are usually not a sure bet from a consumer point of view. No problem waiting on my end to see what is next on the market.

The venom spewed toward a product that is 60 days from shipping is stunning. The current iPad scenario is also an EXACT repeat of what happened after both the iMac and iPhone were announced.

We had to endure months of idiotic articles condemning all the perceived shortcomings. It's missing this, that and the other. How could it only have blah blah blah. Ad nauseum.

I'll reserve judgement until I can go to the Apple Store in my neighborhood and try the iPad out... a few times.

Until then, the iPad appears to be an incredibly compelling device. The comparisons to e-readers is certainly valid, but actually unfair to those poor, limited things. I see them as short-lived bridge devices between notebook computers and something allowing more tasks that's light, compact, has decent battery life and easy to carry.

When some of the software I use on my iPod touch (OmniFocus, etc.) is updated and/or optimized for the iPad and especially with iWork being available for it at a great price, I can't see myself NOT buying one. This, simply because the size of my iPod touch is limiting and an iPad will free me to do casual computing without being forced to sit at my desk or lug my MacBook Pro around.

Sitting on my roof, with a big gin and tonic, reading the NY Times, checking my email, NHL scores, drawing with Brushes or looking at photos and listening to music. E-readers can't possibly compete with this on ANY level.

Is there actual scientific evidence that reading on an LCD screen causes eye fatigue? Is there such a thing as "eye fatigue?" I/we've seen a lot of talk about eye fatigue, but it all seems to be anecdotal. Could someone point me/us to actual scientifically generated data regarding this issue?

Here is my take:

Netbooks are virtually worthless.

I couldn't care less about listening to internet radio while I do other things.

The iPad is a game changer.

Now that I have seen the iPad, I have absolutely no interest in a kindle or other ebook reader.

Many of the apps that will be created for the iPad will be amazing.

Most people will not need more than an iPad for most email, web surfing, light word processing etc.

The iPad will satisfy the computing needs of at least 50% of consumers right out of the box.

Yah I know that won't work for some TUAW readers; but so what!

Last year, I have been seriously considering the Sony PRS-600 eReader. It's a beautiful device (even more beautiful than the iPad, and available in red :-)) that also features a touchscreen. Eventually I decided against it. The main reasons were the lack of EPUB justification and the inability to appropriately display specialist books that usually have at least a sidebar, and magazines. If I spend 300€ for a one-purpose mobile device, it has to be damn good at it, and unfortunately I felt the Sony eReader was not.

@Jordan: Wow, you are the typical anti-Apple zealot idiot.

Second, the iPad is the best tablet either available or announced so far, nuff said. It has the highest quality hardware and the best price, and most importantly it has an OS and the developers to truly make it the only tablet to own.

*****Beware: Logical Post Below!!******

I know for some the concept of restriction is offensive and I can agree. When you buy something you want be able to do whatever you want with it. What confuses me is how that concept is only sometimes offensive. For example, when it comes to video game consoles no one complains. If you buy an Xbox 360 you can only play Xbox 360 games approved by Microsoft. You can only download Xbox Arcade games that MS allows in its store. If you want to buy a song it's through their marketplace. However, no one complains because it is EXPECTED to be this way because its a game console. Nobody expects a tablet PC to be this way.

But here is the kicker (and this will be in all caps as to make sure everyone sees it): APPLE NEVER SAID THEY WERE MAKING A TABLET COMPUTER!!!!!!! NEVER!!! All we had were rumors and so-called "insider" info about "a" device that many thought would be a tablet PC. Perhaps there is a reason Apple never said anything about a tablet PC and perhaps that reason is because the iPad isn't a tablet PC. Think about it this way: The iPad is the equivalent of the videogame console. It has certain functions that are optimized for its hardware. It is restricted by design to allow a more seamless, trouble free experience. It is NOT a PC. It is a home entertainment device.

Tablet PC's have been around for a long time and not many people have embraced them, namely because the operating systems used were not designed for tablets. I for one would never try to use programs designed for physical keyboards on a touch-centric piece of hardware for extended periods of time. Even Windows 7, which is "touch friendly" can not compare with an OS and programs designed from the ground up for touch. So why would someone want a tablet PC that is crippled from the jump due to its very design? Sure, you could put any program you want on it but what's the use when half of those programs are hard to use because your stylus presses arent being registered or "touch" isn't even factored into the program.

I don't know. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I thought "smart" people read tech blogs. I guess not.

There is one thing that no one seems to be talking about. The key point to a dedicated book reader is that e-ink display. It's more akin to reading like one does on paper than an LCD - no matter how good. LCDs strain the eyes and having the white part of the page glow is fatiguing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fanboy just like the rest and will get an iPad - but a book reader it isn't, no matter how rich the experience. And by book reader I'm referring to leisure reading. Sure it will do just fine for textbooks, reference, magazine content. But forget the six hour reading sessions.

Oh and unlike what Jobs said about who reads for 10 hours? My significant other likes to from time to time.

The price of the Pad might be unbelievably low in the US (depending on your income...), but as with all other Apple products, not here in Europe: pre-oder prices on this Swiss site: http://www.nextway.ch/index.php/cPath/28 indicate once again an almost one-to-one conversion of $ to € (1 Swiss Franc is 1.06$): starts at 699 for the cheapest version, so 200 more than in the US! AND the bookstore is said to be US only at launch, same as for iTunes content: almost no TV series here, and still after a few years NO movies at all!
Anyway, i wouldn't want to miss the convenience of a real paper book: just open and read whenever you want, no need to boot anything and make sure you don't run low on battery! If I forget my book on the train or it stolen, big deal it's about $10 to replace.. If I don't want it anymore, I can give it away or resell. I can have a tutorial open in a book and follow along on the computer, couldn't do that on an iPad. Only advantage I could see for an e-reader is the possibility to read even without an external light source..