The iPad is ok, and I wouldn't mind having one just to see what it can do, but when it comes to being used in the business world, I think Microsoft is one step ahead here. It has no release date, but the Microsoft Courier is going to be a sweet gadget. It opens like a book, and has two screens inside thus protecting the screens when it is closed and being stored. Also, with two screens and the fact that Windows Phone 7 prides itself in multi-task support makes me believe it will be able to multi-task (unlike the iPad) thus appealing to any business man out there.
I agree with boyscout, the Microsoft Courier does look very nice. That's what the iPad should have been. Like he said it will be good for business, but students could make good use of it too. Apple probably just didn't have anything like it ready yet and wanted to be the innovators so they could milk the market. Then they'll release something more functional later (like they did with the lack of camera on the iPhone at first or whatever).
I'm waiting for the HP Slate to come out, it actually runs Win 7 and you can store data on it as well............................And it also has flash support unlike the ipad which 75 percent of all video content is now.
Like I said earlier, its just a money making scheme and all companies need money but the iPad is just a big IPOD, and myself personally owning a laptop, i think the iPad would be a big dissapointment