Don't listen to the netbook crowd.
I have an iPad and one thing sells it for me waaay above anything else out there:-
1. 10 hours battery life
And one thing sells it waaay above anything based on laptop technology:-
2. Instant on / instant off
... come to think of it, that pretty much describes my ideal partner in bed too
Personally I hate the Apple Empire, it's restrictive and exploitative and full of nonstandard code ... BUT I have to say Android is not yet fully mature for tablets unless you're a geek who loves to handle bugs. The iPad platform is stable, and very usable, as long as you can tolerate the rules and restrictions SJ imposes on everyone, and don't mind paying top dollar for Apps.
So if you need a device now, yes, get the iPad.
If you can wait until Xmas, my answer will probably have changed by then - I'm looking closely at the ViewPad for example - but today I'm still buying iPads.
FYI I am even able to touch-type on the touch-screen keyboard, but choose not to use it for anything longer than casual e-mail replies or chat messages. So no need the keyboard, just get a well-designed carrying case that holds it at a good angle. The standard Apple case for iPad is trashy
but there are great alternatives at the same price or even less.