Oooh... so I guess Wild Tangent may be partially funding the price slash then -- maybe they're basically paying for part of the Windows 7 licensing costs given how it's built-in.
Yeah, I'm thinking of just getting one for the family to use -- and I'd only use it casually myself, particularly during very occasional roadtrips. We could probably use some sort of mid-sized laptop anyway to go w/ a main desktop (or two), etc. besides eventually adding something like an iPad (or two?).
I originally thought about a netbook (before the iPad came along), but those things are rather clunky and unsatisfying IMHO. To me, they're kinda in no-man's land territory. Then again, I don't really need to do work on-the-go like some nor do I personally need (or care to use regularly) a 10" portable video player or similar -- actually, I'd think doing real work on a netbook would be painful, but maybe that's just me. Most of this stuff would be more for general family use than anything in my case -- I'd only use it casually. That's why the iPad (w/ some improvements) or something very similar would probably make sense for me/us.
I don't need a portable that lets me install Linux or anything like that -- heck, I had briefly toyed w/ that idea for our PS3, but never got any further than just toying w/ the idea although maybe I should do that now that the optical drive is "dead" anyway. 
I would've gone for stuff like that once upon a time, but nowadays, time is just too precious -- and there are waaaay more interests than I have time -- to spare on that sort of geeky stuff (not that I don't geek out on all sorts of other stuff of course). 
Anyway, as some might put it, we don't really need a portable that basically pretends to replace a desktop or the like by trying to do everything that a desktop can. If the iPad has already fully matured, then it just might very well serve to replace the need for a laptop in my family -- we'd probably just need to add a hard keyboard and such for certain things (to be done at home). Heck, the family has been using my iPod Touch for some casual stuff as it is -- and the iPad would probably also suit people like our parents, who are hopelessly computer illiterate.
_Man_
Edited by ManW_TheUncool - 8/17/10 at 10:50am
That doesn't make any sense. This is basically an Android phone with no phone but a much larger screen. And presumably an Android phone costs about $500+, given the two-yr contract subsidy.
