Not a bad looking unit. Wondering how I would like the raised edge while typing...

See, that makes you sound like an Apple fanboy...

The notebook is not perfect - it has some faults and limitations.
The iPad is not perfect - it has some faults and limitations (enough that you had to purchase a case and keyboard and carry them with you).

What are the faults you found with the notebook, and how do they compare with the faults you found with the iPad? Did you purchase additional equipment for the notebook to try to work around its faults, like you did for the iPad?

Although I dont believe they have made it available yet, I have seen at least 1 person demoing SWYPE on their IPAD. Not sure if anyone else here uses this technology on their Android based phones, but I gotta tell you, im not sure how I lived without it on touch based screens.

I can type 60 wpm no problem on a keyboard, but if its pad based, this is certainly the way to go. Hopefully you will see it in 2011 available for apple products.

http://swypeinc.com/news.html

I am not even close to being a "fanboy" . As of right now sitting on 18 windows machines. Mix of desktops, laptops, and a notebook. And 1 Ipad. No Iphone. I dont see buying a case to be a fault or limitation. I bought one for my notebook.

Notebook: Screen was poor. Scrolling and cursor positioning a pain. Windows lite operating system is just plain awful. Like a kiddie system. Keypad was really bad and keys too small. Can't zoom in/out on data within apps. Overall a lousy experience. Tried to like it for about a month and haven't used it since.

Ipad. On-screen keyboard worked-I just wanted more functionality and ease of use. Touch screen functionality. Scrolling and cursor positioning beyond simple-just use your finger to control. Operating system is functional and responsive- a far cry from the notebook. A zillion apps that make using it enjoyable. Incredible screen resolution. Great speakers. Great video experience. It's actually fun to use in addition to working beautifully. I've had it for about 35 days and take it with me wherever I go.

No fanboy-just a really happy owner. I've used both and as I said, there is no comparison at all.

I note you do not disclose what type of notebook you have.

Sounds like you have a NETbook, however, and not a notebook.

The iPad is a very nice toy. It is not a serious business tool as it is too limited. Suggest anyone who is going to get a case and separate keyboard look at a decent notebook, e.g., a Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet. But it's not a toy.

It'll even do Flash!

You don't note because I didn't say cause you didnt ask. Its an MSI U100.

THe Ipad might be a toy to you, but works perfectly fine for doing business for me. Word processing, spreadsheets, etc. I can type notes on it (or write them) and email them, or file them at my office via dropbox. Other than playing flash sites, it can do almost anything that a note/netbook can do.

And it takes up less space in my luggage than a laptop. And I like it!

User experience counts for something, a key issue that most in the Windoze world never seem to get. People actually LIKE to use their Apple products, while most Windoze products are merely acceptable, but not fun.

+1

I guess I am a "fanboy" too as I love Mac products. I actually bought a notebook and it was so painful. Truly horrific. After a couple of weeks it was taking 5 minutes to boot up. Windoze 7 is just as clunky as Windows 95 just it looks prettier and they buried all the ugliness. I actually lost the notebook accidentally leaving on a plane... but I replaced with it MacBook and am looking forward to getting my iPad for Christmas (least that's what I think I'm getting)

I wouldn't actually second that Windoze products are acceptable. The o/s is so slow and clunky it really is sub-par. But I do second that the Mac products are slick, fast, ease to use and just work the way you'd want them to

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Was it coming with a gift recipet? Get an Air if you want a keyboard

Save yourself a little money. Buy an iPad 'camera connection kit' from Apple.
One of the adapters includes a USB port that is intended for copying images from a connected camera.

Gues what ? It also works for USB Microphones and USB Keyboards. You will get a pop-up telling you that the connected device is not supported - but that's just a troll under the bridge. Tap ok - and then use your regular size USB keyboard. Ive tried it with two different brands of USB keyboard .. a generic cheap 15.00 keyboard - and a more expensive Microsoft keyboard and they both work. Type to your hearts content using a keyboard you probably already have. I also use the 'Blue' 'Yeti' THX certified usb microphone for recording quality podcasts ON the iPad. I bought the clamcase for Christmas - just couldn't pass up that svelte sexy design. $99 Ships in January ( on my Delta Amex card ).

then there is there ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EozwY...layer_embedded

Will the camera connection kit work w a video camera and mike a la Skype, etc?

Bah, you guys are missing my point...

For those of you jumping thru hoops to add physical keyboards to the iPad, why didn't you just get a Macbook? If you really wanted a laptop, and you love Apple products, why not get the MBA or something? Instead of trying to retrofit a keyboard to the iPad tablet?

Does a Macbook have a touch screen? Does the battery last 10 hours? Does it need to go through the metal detector out of the bag?

Of course it doesn't. It's not a tablet. But then why are people who purchased a tablet then trying to retrofit keyboards to it? If you want a tablet, buy a tablet - if you want a laptop, buy a laptop. YWhy try to turn a tablet into a laptop?

Is that why you bought the iPad? For long battery life?

People want the best of both worlds, that's why they sometimes want a keyboard with a touch screen tablet. And yes, part of the reason I bought an iPad was for the long battery life. A dozen trans-pac round trips a year tells me I need a long battery. It hasn't failed me yet, whereas my laptop battery never makes it past 3 1/2 hours.