Don't get me wrong: I love apple.  We've got 2 Mac laptops, and oldish G5, 2 iMacs, iPod Touch and an iPod 80gb.  Oh, and there's an eMac in the loft which I can't bear to get rid of as it was my first Mac and the one that converted me and WILL get converted into a Maquarium when I've got the time.  When my phone contract ends I'll be getting an iPhone.

You get the picture.  I like Macs.

But... I have to say that I'm not sure about the iPad.  I'm not sure about Apple's argument about netbooks. They're saying that they are a poor 3rd option between laptops and small handheld mobile devices.  Yes, they are.  But I'm not convinced that the iPad is going to do any better.  My feeling is that people either want small, discreet devices like iPod Touches, iPhones and other PDA type devices, or they want a laptop.  I don't think there is room for anything in the middle.  Apple say that netbooks don't do anything well.  I say it's the concept that doesn't do anything well.  The best thing for the iPad would be a couple of USB sockets to connect a keyboard and mouse. Wait a minute, then we have a badly conceived laptop with a small screen that won't stand up.

It just doesn't stack up for me as far as useability is concerned.  Also, mouseover the image below:

Steve Jobs with the iPad

That was the first thing I thought when I saw Steve holding it up like that.  I know it's not a phone but the iPhone is SO iconic and this looks too much like it for my money.  I could be very wrong. I said that no search engine would ever steal the market share from Alta Vista.  Google?  What sort of a name is that!