That was my thoughts initially. But I can see it as a household quick internet access device, cookbook, family calendar, etc... I think the key is not to see it as a similar device as a laptop or netbook, but as a new device to access info. Business users won’t need it, but families can use it as a slate type device.
The cost is way too much for such a device but apple appears to be the one company that can overcharge for products. I just hope if this takes off someone else copies it and makes it better and more cost effective.
You still haven't figured out that you're in a CAPITALIST economy, and that Apple is a CAPITALIST company.
The cost of a product is determined by TWO things -- what the manufacturer charges, and what people are willing to pay for it. When they converge, that's the proper price for the product. Helloooo????
As long as Apple is selling the product to people who are willing to pay for it, it is not "over-priced".
You sound like a SOCIALIST -- "Down with the high-priced high-quality products of Apple! Everything should be cheap, lower quality, and less expensive so that ALL the people can buy it!!"
Apple doesn't sell to the low end of the market. Get it? They're CAPITALISTS and they address their markets for the benefit of their stockholders, who you might notice are doing quite well.
Damn, some people around here can be mighty slow on the uptake.
Apple won't lose money on the iPad, that's for sure. There are enough people out there who would buy a turd with an Apple logo on it, that their profit is practically guaranteed.
Why is a color, do many things, iPad at $499 too expensive while a B&W, do a single thing, Kindle at $489 priced OK???
You won't have to wait long...
The cost is way too much for such a device but apple appears to be the one company that can overcharge for products.
There's no such thing as "overcharging" -- especially when you've got huge sales like that over a period of years, like the iPhone (for example).
Nope, in a free market, that's "normal pricing" when people buy and buy and buy the product. It's priced exactly right for the huge marketshare that it has (again, using the iPhone as an example).
You're "overpriced" when no one buys your product... doncha know ... LOL ...