I was pretty negative on it before seeing the presentation, and I want to buy an iPad now (and I am not really subject to the reality distortion field).

I am not nearly as negative on netbooks as Steve Jobs (and it seems like tens of millions agree with me). Netbooks run Windows 7 or OS X pretty well, and the keyboard size doesn't bother me at all. One of my favorite computers ever was the much smaller Toshiba Libretto, and I have used Sony UMPCs, etc. I would have been perfectly happy with an OS X netbook.

What turned me around?

First off the price of the iPad was considerably better than I had imagined. I also have a MiFi, so I don't have to get the 3G version.

The big screen will be an improvement for book reading, web browsing, and anything which requires typing more than 140 characters and the Bluetooth keyboard support and faster wireless are useful improvements. I suspect that third party cameras, graphics tablets, etc. will be available very quickly.

Much more important, though, was iWork and what it implies. There HAVE to be new versions of both the OS and iTunes to support the iPad.

The biggest drawback of the OS is that files are linked to a single application. That is IMPOSSIBLE with an office suite. I think that the iWork announcement strongly also implies both printer support and multitasking. Remember that the first iPhone didn't even run apps, adding major functionality is almost a sure thing. The Omni Group announcing their apps will make the machine even more useful, and for me I think it can replace a laptop for travel (I can always VNC into my Macbook for sites which need Flash).

This OS is FAR easier to use than OS X, Windows, Linux. Give a 6 year old an iPad and a netbook and see which one he can use immediately.

THAT is why the iPod matters. This is the first machine which can do a lot of useful stuff, far more than my iPod Touch can, with an easy to use OS. It is as significant as the switch from command lines to Windows/Mac OS in terms of expanding the number of people that can deal with using a computer. This is what computer operating systems, not just phone operating systems, are going to look like ten years from now. How many of us who are tech support for our families are going to recommend iPads.

It's also a great machine for travel - half the weight of my netbook, and more reliable (solid state), and of course the software being very inexpensive (or free if you own them for an iPhone) is a big plus.