I We have an iPad. It is not mine,
but I use it anyway. Note I said: I use it. Not that I let it sit on my desk
collecting dust, or I force myself to use it to justify the expense (why would
I attempt to justify something I didn't even purchase?). I use it when it isn't
even technically mine to use.
A lot of people, more than I think are resonable, suggest that the iPad is a glorified iPhone. The fact that it runs iPhone OS sort of makes it sound that way. But it really isn't. Things like Penultimate really showcase where the iPad shines: not quite a laptop replacement, but not a far-too-large mobile phone, either. What the iPad does is bridge the gap. I can take it with me around the W-T campus and use it to draw, or check something on the Web, where doing that on my iPhone wouldn't be feasible. It also makes a great screen to show ideas on (goodbye PowerPoint). Not only that, but when I'm having a heated discussion about Web site design it comes in handy because it has an almost-desktop Safari experience that can be used to quickly settle what something will look like on a 1024x768 screen.
So, take this for what it's worth. It's my opinion. BUt hey, if you've never given a tablet computer a try, and you aren't a loser hipster, but a cool hipster, check out the iPad. It's actually worth the price (of a refurb unit).