I was watching Pirates of Silicon Valley the other day, and it spends some time on the transition from the Altair to the Apple II. The Altair was for geeks only, but the Apple II was a computer for the average person. It was a breakthrough product.
I think the iPad could be similar. As others have said, it changes the computer from a computer, with all its disadvantages to, as others have said, an appliance. Something that just works, in the way that a television or radio does.
This is the change from a complex machine that requires significant skill to operate, to a simple machine that anyone can operate fully after just a few minutes. Nearly all tasks can be learned without instruction.
This could be huge.
To me, the big question is printing. Can I print to my networked printer over Wi-Fi? I hope so.
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