I also bought it as I like the design and the features of it....not because it has a i in the front of it's name.
Does that not apply to the iPad then or is everyone who buys one just a 'fanboy'?
I'm not saying the iPad is a brilliant device and I agree with many of the shortcomings highlighted above, but the only reason people are disappointed by it is because of the mainly over-the-top expectations they themselves created. I wasn't surprised at all when the iPad was released, it's just Apple being Apple. Any tablet device introduced is only really going to appeal to a niche market, much like the MacBook Air. Similarly to the MacBook Air, if you buy it expecting to use it like a full computer, you clearly haven't done your research. However, that said, I agree that I cannot yet see a position in the market where an iPod or Laptop wouldn't suffice just as well, if not better.
- As a media player: an iPod or any iPod equivalent will be considerably more practical while still containing equivalent features. Also, the aspect ratio of the screen is far from optimal.
- As an E-reader: LCD is really not very ergonomic for extended reading, not to mention the battery life.
- As a Web-browser: It will be nicer than the iPhone and almost all other smart phones. The lack of Flash in the iPad wouldn't bother me one bit, I have flash turned off normally anyway. However, I don't see how it would be any easier than just pulling out a laptop.
Perhaps, like the iPhone did with mobile applications, it will be able to create a market for itself. We also learn from the first-gen iPhone and iPod touches that the second generation brings with it huge improvements.
I personally won't be purchasing one, but that doesn't mean there wont be any valid reason for people to have one besides being a 'fanboy'. I haven't yet written it off as a failed product; how can we until it is released to the market? Technically, a failed product would be one that even the 'fanboys' wouldn't buy, and not even the Apple TV is quite that low - but it isn't far off.
When the product is released, then I would pass a proper judgement. I don't know whether I would be in your 'fanboy' class (I do have a MacBook Pro and a iPod), but I would certainly prefer an iPad over a netbook, just not over much else.