After reading up, watching the videos, and trying to stay away from other posts, here is what I think about the new iPad.

First off, I don’t like the name.  I understand it, it is simple, but it is too close to iPod.  iSlate sounds better, iTablet sounds worse.  I was hoping that they would resurrect iBook.  But that could also be confusing.  But I really can’t think of a better moniker.

I think this unit could replace my couch surfing laptop.  But I would have to try it out, and see how it fits on my lap with out a keyboard and hinged screen in the upright position.  I am worried I wont like typing on it since I like using a keyboard.

This unit also may replace my laptop when traveling.  A lot of times, it is nice to go on vacation and be somewhat severed from the digital world.  This could be enough.  I can get online when I want (provided available Wi-Fi), not have to lug around my laptop bag, and make me enjoy my time abroad.  Plus, it’s cheaper than a laptop, and if locked well, I can remote erase it and not have my info out there.  With my iTunes library and all the Digital Copy movies I am amassing, this would be much better that a portable DVD player or iPhone/Touch.  Thank goodness there’s HandBrake too.

This will not replace my Kindle.  My wife and I love our Kindles.  Sure it looks like a nice ebook reader, but the backlight could be irritating to a sleeping spouse, and you only get 10 hours between charges.  I can go weeks with my Kindle.  Also the kindle is much lighter, and more bookish.  I love how e-ink works, and it works well where books work well.

iWorks is a key app for the iPad.  Since it can work on Microsoft Office formats, you can do your editing and quick changes.  But I don’t see it as a replacement for laptop authoring.  I would buy Pages and perhaps Numbers for $10 each, not so sure about Keynote.  I would defiantly have to try it out.

Games?  I really could care less.

3G?  The fact that it is contract free and you can pick from $14.99 or $30 a month is great.  It almost makes it worth spending the additional $130 for the hardware.  But I have an iPhone and if necessary, I’d probably use that instead.  In most cases, I will have my iPhone nearby when I’d be using my iPad.

The dock as a charging station/picture frame is pretty cool, and you’d have the best looking digital frame when you’re not using the iPad.

The price seems to be right, and 16 gigs is a lot, especially if you have the rest of your music on your more portable iPods.  So for $500, I may just jump at it.  But I will probably be more likely to wait for rev 2 like I did with my iPhone, Kindle, and most of my other electronics.  I used to be an early adopter, but I’ve become more patient with time.