I've been using my iPad 3G for almost a year now and I love it. Here's what I use it for:

- Personal/Work email and calendar
- Web surfing on the go (and on the couch, in the bed, etc.)
- Movie and TV show watching (it's a great rear entertainment center especially with this: Original BMW Accessories : In-Car connectivity)
- Casual gaming
- Educational gaming
- Book reading with iBooks
- Note taking with Evernote and Penultimate
- Document reading and editing with Documents to Go combined to Dropbox
- To Do list tracking with Toodledo
- Blog reading with Flipboard
- Home movie editing with iMovie
- Music composing with GarageBand
- Etc...

The only thing missing for it to completely replace my laptop would be a decent version of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint).

I carry it around almost everywhere I go and it is now fully integrated into my daily workflow. I couldn't live without it!

Doesn't Apple have a remote computer access system/program, wonder if it works with the Pad? I bet the IT guys would know?

Also doesn't Office 2011 for Mac have a lot of "cloud" functionality?

I use Dropbox. It's simply the best file storage service in the Cloud.

You can access your PC/laptop remotely using just about any tablet, not just the iPad as some would have you believe. RDP has been around for a long time and it didn't come from Apple.

Check out Google Docs for making your documents available to you from the device of your choice, not just tablets.

E-reader software (Kindle, Kobo, etc) is available for the device of your choice. However, as haigha pointed out, e-Ink devices are much much nicer to read and use.

Flash is supported on the device of your choice, as long as it's not iPad. Whether this is important to you depends on the web sites you need to access.

I'd also suggest to try to type/edit a meaningful document using a tablet. It may or may not be to your liking. Some tablets accept an external keyboard but as far as I'm concerned, tablet + keyboard = netbook.

You won't be able to fit most tablets in your pocket like your phone. If you'll be carrying a briefcase or backpack anyway then it's not a big deal.

If you are one of the 6 or so people in the world that has a optical molecular tweezer and need to let your 6 year old daughter play with it then the iPad is the only choice at the moment. Otherwise, never mind.

Very informative thread; but, what does it 'do' for one, vs a lap top, other than being slightly smaller to 'carry'? And, don't quite understand the 'connection' part: does it come hooked to net via wireless or, does one have to subscribe or purchase a wireless phone connection? Thanks, mD

Either/or/both. Some are WiFi only, some have WiFi and a 3G connection, the 3G connection is the same as a data plan on a cell phone.

I use my ipad as a GPS HUD. I place it right in front of me propped up on the dash. I don't even need to look at the road anymore, just watch the high def screen and trust the little voice. "please make a u-turn now"!

You can get internet service via your home network at home, it will almost always be the fastest and cheapest. Or you can get internet service through a 3G cellphone like service. The 3G pads have the 3G communication built in and you pay for a separate service plan for it. With Verizon most smart phones can act as a 3G server/hotspot and cost $20 per month (less) and you save money on the cost of the Pad. I know that most 3G data plans have a limit on use and they will charge you more.

The Pad is also slick and you might get a certain cool factor by bring it to a meeting. But it may also make you appear geeky and or flashy. It is a new toy that and it is alluring. It might be a cool may to show people your photos of the grand kids or other photos.

Yes the Pad is all about small and light weight it does nothing better than a normal computer except for its tough screen. It is a simpler device and might be better suited to limited users that just want to check email.

Still don't quite 'get it'...if I have a lap top or two, and take one with us on our occasional trips, (either using the motel's wifi or buying the Verizon plug-in wifi), what does a new tablet 'do' for us, vs a very portable laptop?

I don't go to meetings anymore, don't use the laptop on my lap, don't feel a need to carry a tablet around in daily activities, etc. So, is a tablet simply a slightly more compact lap top, and what does it do for one vs a laptop?
BR, TheLowTechOl'Guy