-Locked down
-DRM laden
-Windows/Mac support only, Mac only if you want any real work done on it
-No flash/interpreted browser code other than what Apple wants you to have
-You can only install software Apple lets you
-And they can even disable that whenever they feel like it
-No multitasking for appstore applications
-DRM eBook format (seriously, what's wrong with PDF or plaintext?)
-Integrated battery
-Too big! What's with the gigantic unused edges?
-Where am I supposed to put this thing when I'm moving around, assuming I don't carry a purse?!
-More expensive than netbooks, weaker hardware than netbooks, less convenient to work on than netbooks
-Do they really expect people to type anything longer than an incomprehensible tweet on that onscreen keyboard?
Of course, they'll still sell truckloads of them to Apple fanboys who couldn't care any less about signing their privacy and Software Freedoms away for the latest fashion accessory.
By locked down, if you mean the OS, yes, but 3G, no, it's not going to be locked (big surprise there).
No flash, yeah... wish it did, but I think they want you to buy software from the app store rather than use flash content.
No multitasking, true, but it has the same features recently added to the iPhone that make up for that.
Battery... agreed... but most certainly home do-it yourself kits will emerge like they have for the iPhone/iPod touch.
The gigantic unused edges have a use. It's for holding the unit without triggering the touch screen interface. Think about it, where will your thumbs be when you just holding the unit.
There's a case available for it that doubles as a prop when placed on a table while you're working on it, and triples as a stand for viewing movies or image slide shows.
The price is competitive with a netbook of equal computing capacity. The power of the hardware remains to be seen. It's more powerful than an iPhone, so, as many people seem to think, it's not 'just a big iPhone/iPod Touch'.
It's WAY more convenient than working on a netbook. Most netbooks are underpowered midget laptops running an outdated OS. There's nothing really revolutionary about a netbook, it's just a small laptop. Also, a hardware keyboard add on is also available, so when doing alot of typing, the physical keyboard with tactile feedback is there, and available.
As far as the keyboard is concerned, I can fly on my iPhone, so I would do just as well if not better on the same keyboard on a 10 inch screen. Ark and a few others keep saying its flashy and gimmicky, Apparently they've never worked on an iPhone/iPod touch. It's hardly flash and gimmicks. It's a new interface, a new way of interacting with a computing device, and I'm glad to see that it's moving from hand held devices to tablets, and next, laptops and desktops. I think if Apple's smart, they'll make an iMac Laptop, with the power, connectivity, and such with the iPhone-like interface. You might think I'm nuts, but in less than 10 years, all computers will work this way. It's the next step in computer input that will retire the mouse and even to a degree, keyboard.
I think the naysayers are missing the point. The iPad is aimed at the casual computer user. Not the power user. It's for mom to use in the kitchen to read a recipe online, or for anyone in the house to check email, or twitter or facebook, or as a gaming device for jr on that long road trip, or for the professional who needs to create a presentation while on the go, or for the grandma who's never been into computers before. If you're a power user, this isn't going to replace your desktop, or even your high powered laptop, but it gives you a bit more portability than a high end laptop. The idea here is that this is a new class of mobile computing device for lighter computing and typical web and email needs. It's not intended to replace a laptop or a desktop, and I think that's why most of the naysayers here don't get it.