Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior
I think you nailed it with the underlined portion. I'd say if most of us (Americans and others living in developed nations) look around our homes, we'll see that the majority of what we have is based on "want", "have to have it now!" and making ourselves more comfortable... not necessarily things we actually need. I'm not criticizing anyone, as I'm really bad about that myself. For what I've spent on diecast models over the years alone, I could have bought a new (real) car.
The iPad is no different. Many (most?) of the people buying them, as well as smartphones and other gizmos and gadgets, get them for the fun factor, not so much out of true need. But as more dedicated apps are written for the iPad (I believe there are already five or ten thousand), I'm sure there will be more people and companies finding actual business uses for them. I'm a (happy as hell) Apple shareholder. And while I have no plans to buy an iPad or iPhone for myself, I'm quite pleased that it's come out of the gate as a winner.