Like another poster, I've already ordered my iPad 3, which is scheduled for arrival on the 16th. I briefly considered getting a now-discounted iPad 2, but the $100 drop in price wasn't nearly enough. If Apple had dropped the price of the iPad 2 to $300, I might have gotten one. But the iPad 3 is twice the tablet for only $100 more. The choice was easy, particularly when I take into account a useful life at least a year longer and a greater resale value.

My only gripe is with Apple's ridiculous pricing scheme for adding storage. I'd have added 16 GBs and gotten the 32 GB model if it'd been but $50 more, but the idea of paying $100 more was an insult, particularly since the next step above that adds 32 GB for that same $100. Apple's add-on pricing schemes are a bit predatory. They lost a sale with a more modest profit, and I decided to just take care what apps I install on that iPad.

My rationale for getting an iPad is interesting. I write and the marvelous writer's tool, Scrivener, is coming to the iPad. I've not been able to convince myself that I need to replace my SSD-equipped MacBook with a MacBook Air. Roughly $1200 seemed too much to simply save a couple of pounds in a backpack that's typically stuffed with books anyway.

An iPad coupled with an Apple Bluetooth keyboard I already have will be a MBA equivalent at less than half the price. It also gives me access to all the excellent and inexpensive apps available only for iPads. I'm looking forward to writing on that nifty little gadget.

--Michael W. Perry, author of Untangling Tolkien