Pro's

• It would match my iPhone.
• It's shiny
• I would be cool for 5 minutes (probably in my mind only)

Con's

• No Flash
• No (real) .Net / Silverlight
• Safari on the iPhone is complete shite so I'm not hopeful a bigger version would be any better
• Shiny screen makes it useless for reading books for any duration, unless the lighting conditions are perfect
• No camera
• No USB or SD
• Small capacity - 64Gb is ok but barely
• Support for Exchange mail and calendaring is critical for work use - not likely to see Outlook for i* anytime soon
• Expensive when compared to a comparably featured notebook
• I'm beginning to hate Apple (see below)

Ok, so some of these points are very personal to me, but the point I'm trying to make is this is definately a v1 device.  The OS may be slick but some critical features are missing.  I have a small notebook that already does more than the iPad. It's cheaper, faster, more capable and almost as portable.  But the battery only lasts 6 hours and it doesn't have fruit on the lid.

The thing that worries me the most is that the iPad is produced by Apple.  They are such a closed company.  They are very reticent to talk about anything that might upset their carefully crafted image and brand.  They are overly secretive.  They are expensive.

As Apple grows and gains even more dominance over their market slice they will inherit the title that Microsoft used to hold - that of the most hated IT company on the planet.  Sure there are still those that believe Microsoft are evil.  These are people that don't work with Microsoft products and people every day. Their opinion is based on ignorance and arrogance.  Much like me and Apple really.

I have no desire to become an Apple techie.  I see these things as consumer devices.  Great for doing what they are intended to do but controlled by a maniacle tyrant who won't listen to criticism and will kill anyone who speaks out against them.  Much like the Chinese government or Islam.

So now I have painted myself into a corner, I will pobably still get one.  Becuase I am weak and easily attracted to shiny stuff and becuase everything Apple does is just soooo cool and fantastic that I can't possibly not have one.

I hate myself.