My conclusion is that the iPad is cool (as well as any other tablet device), but the netbook is more productive: Get Both. Each device has its' own uses. Both can be useful and fun.
I have a netbook, but I don't feel comfortable taking it everywhere, the keywords is also annoying when you are in bed and you just want to read or watch. So if you have money, buy a netbook, if you still have, buy an iPad. If you don't have money, work and make money or just read and watch people using those gadgets. (Back to work, so I can save money for the next Sony Rocket ;)
I find myself using the iPad to do research, mockup, sketch and design stuff. (The sort of thing I've always have a hard time doing at a desk and that has stubbornly remained 'on paper'.) Then I sit down at a workstation to "do the work".
Overall, the tablet is making me more productive, even though what's getting produced on it is never finished work.
It obviates a netbook for me, because it more cleanly splits my computing into buckets where the netbook pales to the laptop because it's underpowered, or pales to the tablet because it's burdened by the desktop OS and keyboard/mouse assumptions.
Certainly, YMMV based on what "work" you do. The rule-of-thumb I've been using is to ask people how much they still use paper in the course of being productive. (that is, when you still use it because it's a good solution; as opposed to merely being stubborn, natch)
If you still use paper in the course of your work, it may help. But if you generate almost exclusively text, it probably won't.
I can't agree more. I'm not against the tablet idea (may be I don't like the iPad, but tablets seems cool to me).
You can make use of both. For example, when I'm contributing to HN, I feel a netbook is better for me. When I'm just reading, then a tablet will probably serve me better.
For writing it depends, if you are typing, a netbook with keyboard is a better option, if you are drawing things and writing (with a pen), a tablet will serve better.
I have a netbook, but I don't feel comfortable taking it everywhere, the keywords is also annoying when you are in bed and you just want to read or watch. So if you have money, buy a netbook, if you still have, buy an iPad. If you don't have money, work and make money or just read and watch people using those gadgets. (Back to work, so I can save money for the next Sony Rocket ;)