The only thing I question about this announcement is that Apple will cease production of the current iPad. I suspect they may tier their product line with an old/new iPad, just like they currently do with the iPhone. It makes the most sense because Google is going to be entering the tablet space pretty soon with a legitimate competitor to the iPad and Apple will need an offering that is less money than their current $500 "entry" model.

They're actually incredibly useful if you're a general user. They play games, compose email, surf pretty much any non-Flash website, and do all the things a non power user would need out of the machine. Pack the iPad into a slim bag along with a keyboard and you're good to go at any coffee shop, restaurant, friend's house, etc.

For me, it's just about useless. If the machine doesn't run Photoshop, Illy, or Dreamweaver and allow me to RDP in and fix any problems with the server at work, it's just a toy. I'll stick to my 13" Macbook Pro (though that will almost assuredly be replaced by that slick-as-hell Macbook Air within 24 months or whenever I decide the MBP is too slow for my needs).

But even for the non power user...my WM7 phone and Iphone do all these things on the go... And at home, most people should have a desktop or laptop handy which does all that and more for a lot less.

this.

i had the 64GB (iPad) and sold it within months! was pretty useless when i have my Nexus One and MacBook Pro 

I like my iPad, I was sceptic because I own an IPhone.. sure it isn't as powerfull as my Macbook, or as small as my iPhone but damn it's handy.. I use it to read up my email, some sites, watch some vids before sleeping, buying songs.. etc, it's waaaaay more convient to use it than my Macbook.. I never switch of my iPad and it's with me in my bed, on my couch, while cooking, sitting in the yard while catching some sun, making notes at work, It really functions inbetween the stuff your computer is too powerfull and big for (email, e-books) and you phone too small (surfing, vids,) ..  I really like surfing on the web while lying on the couch.. I don't have the time to spend hours behind my desktop. yes it a luxury item and nobody is missing out if it didn't exist but damn it's a fine piece of hardware..

i see why some people find ipads handy , tablets are pretty nice i admit but at their current price they are not worth it.

The iPhone (or Android/WP7) technically works for that stuff but it doesn't do a lot of it very well. The screen is too small for movies or books, gaming is better on the larger iPad screen, the iPad has an optional keyboard which makes it better for browsing, email, etc. etc.

I know a few people who leave their laptops home (or don't have one at all) in favor of bringing the iPad around with them. On the go, it does most of what they need in a much smaller package but one still large enough to comfortably work on basic tasks.

Like I said, it's useless for me but I'm not an average user. I see the benefits of the device every time one of my non-techie friends uses it to do what they need on the go.

I can kind of see the point of tablets - very much luxury items but they have a few uses where they are better than other choices.

Would be useless for me though since I either travel with nothing but the stuff in my pockets (which the tablets too big for) or with a bag (which I can take my laptop in).

Oh what a surprise. Wasn't expecting an hardware revision from a company that lives doing that xd

Who'd pay hundreds of bucks for what is essentially a laptop with its keyboard ripped off.

....wait.......