I’m getting a real kick out of all of the “FAIL!” comments on all of the blogs. I agree with them – there are a lot of people out there who FAIL to understand what Jobs and Apple have just done.

Shaun says: “If Apple or Jobs were marketing this as some sort of borderline novelty product, or something for users to passively use when they don’t have access (or want access) to a real computer, then your points would be valid. Sadly, though, this is simply not the case.”

Apple is marketing this as a device that fits the user case between an iPhone and a laptop. So you are saying here that you do not believe that?

Shaun says: “This is just a situation where a mediocre product has been made that–if created by some non-Apple company–would be touted as a joke.”

What makes the product mediocre? Is it the hardware? Surely the processor has drawn significant interest from the technical community. Quite simply, it’s blazingly fast. The device is thinner and lighter than any other similarly sized tablet device that I’m aware of. The need for a “pen” as an input device for a tablet computer is subjective. Prior to the iPhone, handheld devices required “pens” (Palm portables, and others.) The iPhones success vindicates the choice of interface.

Shaun says: “If Jobs wants his device to compare with Netbooks, then who are you to claim he was mistaken and say we need to look at the iPad differently? The iPad is an example of Apple’s attitude that it can create pretty much anything and it will be purchased, regardless of its use. ”

The iPad is a transcendent device. It’s something new. The market (and the world) is still trying to wrap it’s mind around what this means. It’s targeted at the same area (the space between phones and laptops) currently owned by netbooks. I suggest that the vast majority of netbook users don’t really want or need a slower, gimped windows laptop. Most of them want a highly mobile way to surf the web, get email. They don’t need a hierarchical file system.

Shaun says: “I also scoff at the fact that they call this a “web-browsing device”. My own net-uses aside, my near-computer-illiterate mother uses sites with Flash nearly daily. This product is useless to her, as it is to any other self-respecting consumer who buys a product for more than a brand.”

I would suggest that there’s nothing on these Flash sites that will not be adequately replace by an analog on the iPad. I’m open to hearing about some specific examples if you can provide them. Keep in mind that the iTunes store is loaded with free games and media, so I’ll not be swayed by video or game sites. Other sites like Google Finance, CNN, Time, or the New York Times have iPhone/iPad specific applications that provide the same (or even enhanced) functionality.

Bottom line – nobody is trying to take your laptop or pc away. The iPad is something different. It’s a new paradigm. Spend a moment and try thinking about what it can do rather than what it’s missing. The prospects are actually pretty exciting…this device may be just be the start of something different and awesome. Simplified media consumption.

If Apple or Jobs were marketing this as some sort of borderline novelty product, or something for users to passively use when they don’t have access (or want access) to a real computer, then your points would be valid. Sadly, though, this is simply not the case.

This is just a situation where a mediocre product has been made that–if created by some non-Apple company–would be touted as a joke. I mean, let’s imagine if Joe Shmo Inc. released a “tablet computer” for a few hundred dollars while retaining harsh proprietary restrictions on the operation of the device. Let’s imagine the backlash that any other company would feel by ignoring some of the most basic fundamentals of tablets (pens, expansion, etc).

If Jobs wants his device to compare with Netbooks, then who are you to claim he was mistaken and say we need to look at the iPad differently? The iPad is an example of Apple’s attitude that it can create pretty much anything and it will be purchased, regardless of its use. Thankfully, people like you invent ways to fabricate scenarios where this would be more than just a momentary gadget interest — I shudder at the thought of taking any other tech advice from you seriously.

And no, I’m not an “apple hater”. I love my MBP and I enjoy my iPhone… but that is because both actually serve their purpose; they don’t require me to lie to myself or others regarding their use.

I also scoff at the fact that they call this a “web-browsing device”. My own net-uses aside, my near-computer-illiterate mother uses sites with Flash nearly daily. This product is useless to her, as it is to any other self-respecting consumer who buys a product for more than a brand.