OK, so I’m not an Apple fanboy.  I actually don’t even like the iPhone and I think it is somewhat stale already.  With that said, I love the iPad (name notwithstanding).  I don’t have anything against Apple.  I own 2 iPods, like iTunes.  I don’t own an Apple computer, but I do like the iMac.  I have 2 PCs running Windows XP and Vista, respectively.  I also have one laptop that I installed Ubuntu on and love it.

Then along came Apple.

I have been in the market for some time for an e-reader.  I’ve held off on the Kindle due to the other e-readers that I knew were coming out.  Also, there is the little mess of standards.  Remember HD-DVD and Betamax?  I like to read a lot of classics that are in public domain so I’d like any e-reader to support the file formats that so many of these classics are already in.  I know there is software to easily convert file formats, but having it in its native downloaded format would be nice and quick.  ePUB seems to be the standard that the industry is gravitating towards so supporting that one would be nice indeed. 

Of course, anyone following technology knew of the rumors of the Apple tablet, but as is the usual MO, Apple was tight lipped.  Then yesterday, after a year of speculation, the Apple iPad was announced.  This is amazing.  I love it.  It’s a game changer.  In one fell swoop Apple has turned the e-reader, medical device, PC/laptop, music/movie player companies upside down.

Now that the iPad design, tech specs and price have been released I’ve instantly made my decision about an e-reader.  I’m not getting one.  I’m getting an iPad instead.

Let me know your thoughts.  The iPad love it, hate it, other?