I like your concept map!

It will be interesting to see how the iPad and similar-sized net-books play outin the near future.

I think there are many people who have no desire to have a laptop that might consider an iPad especially if they are thinking about purchasing an e-reader. Baby boomers who thought they’d be retiring are updating their skills in one fashion or another. Their kids are in their 20’s and 30’s, taking on multiple roles as spouses and parents, and often returning to school as well. Families are geographically scattered, but connected through the web and applications such as Facebook and Skype.

I think there is (see my two immediately more recent posts for *some* thoughts). I think a bigger screen makes content interactions (and I mean more than just static content, cf the NY Times example) more amenable, and still more personal than a laptop. And, there can be more interactive interactions as well, exploratory environments and simulations.

I also think the form factor actually makes a nice compromise in big enough to be able to take notes at a lecture or conference versus a laptop which is just too big and heavy. Yes, that’ll change and netbooks have their place, but I think the thinness and lightness strikes a compelling sweet spot. Why do people read with eReaders instead of laptops? It’s a better form factor. Oh, and the purported battery life…

Right now, I try to travel without my laptop, but usually bring it if I’m going overnight. I might’ve gotten a MacBook Air when it was time to upgrade, now I’ll seriously consider the iPad. It’s not a replacement for my iPhone, but it’s just the right sized adjunct that I can really do meaningful note taking on it, and it’s so much smaller, which will remove my need to bring a laptop for travel.

I’m not getting it yet (well, I can’t), and the economy is an issue, but the low price point they hit really makes it attractive. I’m choosy too (read: cheap), but I’ve been looking for a solution. I like the 13″ MB Pro, but I might decide to get a mini or iMac as a desktop and get something smaller to travel with. Your mileage may vary.