What do you use it for?

I went to the apple store today just to check it out, and they are definitely amazing! I went with my friend who was pretty skeptical about, but as soon as he touched one he absolutely loved it. I was also even more impressed by it that I had expected to be. They have a great selection of Apps that are actually very useful (not just the crappy iTouch ones that do absolutely nothing). The internet browsing went pretty well, and the video looked beautiful. I probably will wait until atleast the 2nd gen though, just because I need more memory for less money. haha

How much do you have to pay to use it, especially when travelling overseas?

It's WiFi, right? So it'd cost the same as any laptop.

I heard broadband was $30.00/month.

There are two different models, the Wifi-only and the Wifi + 3G. With the 3G model you can buy unlimited access from AT&T for 30 bucks a month like ashley said. The interesting part is that there is no contract, and so you could have it for one month, but then just not pay again for the next month without being charged any fees.

My sister is getting one from a work friend who is visiting the US in a couple of weeks

How strong is it? What happens if you drop it? Or sit on it? Will the screen crack? Will they/can they replace the screen or do you have to junk it?

I'm asking because I had a palmtop and it came with insurance against accidental damage that covered everything *except* the screen.

Ask the aliens, Speakertoaliens lol

As SNL said, "Apple released a thing that does a bunch of stuff, that it's other things already do." The iPad, iPhone, and Apple, all suck at everything. I say follow Daniel Tosh's lead.

The Ipad is controversial in my country because of the special kind of simcard it uses. That simcard is not included in any current laws, which means that whatever phone company will sell the simcard can make up their own rules as it is.

One phone company in particular wants to sell the Ipad. They were also the first to sell the Iphone in my country. Their goal is to tie the hands of the customer for longer periods than normally allowed under current simcard laws. Their CEO has openly stated that he finds the current law "silly" and that "of course companies should be able to tie the hands of the customer for extended periods of time."

I worked for that company when the Iphone came up. I was given a list of stuff to say to customers, like what the price for calling was and so on. The next month I was given a new list, with multiple things changed, and told: "The list you had last month was not correct. This is the correct one. People will be billed as per this new list, also the people who bought the Iphone last month."

People got really angry and said: "You gave me a list of what to pay, and now you've changed it - and I still have to pay, even though you changed it without warning?"
All I could say was: "Yes, the company I work for are liars and scumbags. Here's what to write in your complaint. Here's how to reach their lawyers. Here's their main address. Please go and destroy them now, because they have disgraced me for made me a liar." I basically helped people attack the company. And I quit as soon as possible.

I'm not even considering buying the Ipad. I will wait until the proper laws are in place. If they never come, I will never buy an Ipad. There's more to life. Like honesty and integrity.

I got the iPad without 3G (obvious to all Apple-Nerds, since the 3G is not out yet). So, to your law-problems - you woulnd't have any. I have an iPhone, any everyone who has something similar to check emails on the run, doesnt really need the 3G function.
It is true, that you do not "need" the iPad - its luxury. But for that, its great!
I can sit on my porch, or on my couch, and check my emails, surf the web. Or if friends are for visit, I can show them my pictures without dragging them to my Computer. Or gathering everyone around my Notebook. Just so more convenient to hand the iPad around.
It seems pretty sturdy, like the iPhone (which I have dropped several times already!). Still, you should put some kind of protective case around it. Since its not built for the pocket, the minimal increase in size is O K.
Any more questions?
I used Windows for over 20 years of my life, and transitioned to Mac 2 years ago. I can only say WOW! I would never had thought, that using a computer would be so easy! You always just sit in front of it and say: yes, thats actually how I expected a computer to react!

What is this ipad?? Sounds like a crap :-)

Not at all! It has many highly useful Apps that will benefit the whole family. Cheeseboard, beer mat, sunshield, novalty frisbee.... the list is endless!

Lol

What do you want? As long As I can play Diplomacy with it I am happy ;)

I've heard that technology diverges, with one exception. It converges in the pocket. Hence, the existence of the Swiss Army knife and the iPhone.

I've heard the iPad compared to Victorinox selling a Swiss Army kitchen, complete with fold out butcher knives and ladles, and expecting people to like it and buy it.

I suppose I just don't understand why an iPhone and a laptop isn't better.

If you get an iPad, you still (presumably) need a cell phone and a laptop.

Just get a tablet PC and you get all the features of an iPad *and* a laptop in one. Lightweight, touchscreen, wifi or cellcard or Gigabit network card or whatever you want. Or for $300 you can get a netbook, lightweight small form factor laptop designed for web browsing and such usually with no moving parts (even the "HD" is flash-type memory).

@Draug

I agree. I have a Lenovo Tablet and I love it. Most of the benefits from an iPad but all the benefits of a laptop.

I love my tablet and it has USB ports and Bluetooth so that I can use wireless keyboards and mice as well as connect it to an external drive or memory stick if need be.