I'm a bit of a technophile so I'm a bit extreme on the systems (aside from my laptop mentioned here I keep 4 desktops, 1 hacked Xbox, and a hacked Apple TV going at home
). I do have a laptop, but personally could never use one for my main system. They're just too slow compared to desktops and I don't like the form factor for prolonged use - particularly the keyboards. For touch typing I'm a huge fan of the old style mechanical switch/buckling spring keyboards that click-clack when you type. You can still get them if you look around. They're a bit expensive ($50-150 for just they keyboard depending on what model you're looking at), but WELL worth the cost IMHO.
I also have an iPod Touch that I use a LOT. Like the little bugger doesn't leave my side
. It's great having my music and latest podcasts with me at all times (I connect it to my car stereo and listen to podcasts to and from work, and also listen via headphones while at work), but with the Wifi connection and full browser it's actually replaced my laptop for a lot of stuff. When traveling, 99% of what I want my laptop for is to pop open Firefox for Mapquest directions, or go to Yahoo to find a nearby Chinese place. The iPod does just fine for such tasks and fits in my pocket. Also with the app store you can get applications for almost anything. Keeping track of my budget, dietary needs, etc. Even reference apps such as a bartending one I found - contains almost any cocktail recipe you can think of. I'd LOVE to get the iPhone so that I'd have access to the net even when away from wifi, but unfortunately AT&T doesn't pickup where I live so that's a no-go. I'm looking at the new Droid phones from Verizon with great interest though. I just hate that they don't sync with iTunes (really Apple's fault for not opening up the interface, but it's still the reality of the situation). Based on a lot of stuff I'm reading it's actually becoming very common in Japan for people to just carry smartphones like this and forgo even owning a larger style laptop or desktop.
Anyways, as far as tablets go, I'm still hesitant. I've used previous gen tablets before - basically the ones that still had a keyboard but would swivel and fold down over it and had a stylus (the ones I've tested at work were Panasonic Toughbook tablets - they were meant for our appraisers to take into the field to take notes and do sketches when appraising property). I haven't been too impressed with those though. The new Apple style devices however I don't think will have the keyboard at all, which should make them thinner/lighter. I'm guessing that they'll also do touch interface with no stylus which is a little more natural. Still though, it's bigger than the iPod or a smartphone, which to me defeats a major advantage there: the smartphone fits in your pocket. I can reasonably always keep it with me without toting cases and what-not. The tablet doesn't do that. I also seen it being just as cumbersome as the smartphones to use - bigger screen means you can view more at once and better video support, but the interface won't be changed much aside from bigger buttons.
We'll see. Everything Apple touches appears to be golden at the moment, but just personally I see more future in the touch-screen smartphone arena than in the tablets.
