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Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by aresant on Sunday April 04, 2010 @03:16AM (#1239911)
It's not like Apple is going to win 100% of the market, and the other competitors are not following suit with a closed system.

We'll always have choice - Google's entire strategy was being the opposite - open source, open apps, etc. There are dozens, if not hundreds of Android tablets, and concepts coming in the next 18 months, not to mention Windows 7 mobile etc

Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by orangecat on Sunday April 04, 2010 @04:01AM (#1239937)
There are dozens, if not hundreds of Android tablets, and concepts coming in the next 18 months, not to mention Windows 7 mobile etc

The Windows 7 mobile platform is just as closed as iPhones and iPads, and Apple is trying to have Android shut down by the courts. If they get their way, there will be no viable open alternatives for mobile computing.

Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by derefr on Sunday April 04, 2010 @04:46AM (#1239957)
So laptops will magically cease to exist?
Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by orangecat on Sunday April 04, 2010 @02:41PM (#1240602)
They'll increasingly be niche products. Once there's a solution to the limited screen size of phones, they'll replace laptops in most scenarios.
Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by derefr on Monday April 05, 2010 @01:11AM (#1241376)
Most of the scenarios I envision for laptops involve typing without a desk (thus the need for the supporting base of your lap.) I don't think anything is really replacing them for these.
Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by stretchwithme on Sunday April 04, 2010 @08:38AM (#1240074)
poof. they're all gone. i'll wait here while you check
Re:"The iPad is a LEGO set that can only be assembled into w... by glhaynes on Sunday April 04, 2010 @12:04PM (#1240357)
Exactly. I think after the last 20 years of Microsoft utter-domination, we're used to the idea that there will be one and only one winner and that it will control everything to the marginalization of everything else. On these devices that are primarily used to connect to Internet services (for consumption and creation), I don't see that as nearly so big of a concern.