[citation][nom]Glorian[/nom]Yes battery replacement is $99 but you also lose all you information and apps downloaded to the device.There are and will be slate devices that don't have the same limitations the ipad has, which also run on smartphone operating systems, does that mean that more people will buy them as a media device? No, Apple has just manage to get the advertising right. I for one will never buy an ipad, I do anything worth doing on my laptop/pc, listen to music on my zune, and make calls/texts on my cellphone, why would I buy a product that does something I already have things that do it. Its not functional enough to replace a laptop, to big to be a music player, and doesn't make calls like a traditional cellphone.[/citation]
COMPLETE FUD!
You do NOT loose your apps EVER, they can be re downloaded free from the same apple store account to any additional device also registered on that account anytime for free.
The device is backed up every time its synced, and many forms of data are streamed/cloud based and not even on the device.
Even if the battery is dead, you can still run from the power cable, and backup/sync before sending off.
All personalization of the device is COMPLETELY preserves, as an image like file (only stored passwords for e-mail accounts have to be re-input).
Your failure to regularly back up your device is not apple's problem. The mechanism is provided. A Laptop has FAR MORE lieklyhood of loosing your data, and has no simple or free method to do the same as the iPad. This is just a complete bullshit excuse.
This device is never designed to replace your smartphone, OR your PC, it;s a COMPANION device to both. Providing 80+% of your laptop's functionality on an always on light and portable platform. If you have a smartphone, you don't need the 3G chip in the iPad and you save $130, if you don't, it's a nice value add.
The iPad is a VIDEO and PRINT media platform, not a music player. It replaces your car based video system, your ebook reader, and other things a laptop is a poor substitute for (anything that benefits from tough interface, portrait display, and more. Further, netbooks (and most cheap notebooks) CAN NOT DO H.264 VIDEO AT ALL, which is a HUGE strength for the pad. other tablets are not designed for multitouch, and even the smartphone based ones have MORE limitations than the iPad with the one exception of an open software (virus laden) marketplace for software you can already find on the iPad except porn (which is easily found online for free anyway). No, it doesn't do flash, but flash is DYING, and every single flash service I can name has non-flash content available or has already announced an iPad ap forthcoming. OS 4 is bringing the much requested 3rd party multitasking.
You do not understand the market segment. It;s not for everyone, it;s for everyone who ALREADY AHS these things you claim that if you did you would not need an iPad. An iPad is Always on, always connected, instantly available (no boot time), needs no regular maintenance, needs no antivirus, plug-ins, and other things that make it sluggish. It's also hermetically sealed like a phone, and thus perfect for outdoors, camping, and the beach, which will destroy a notebook.