heres the deal: i have a macbook but last year i spilled water on it. since then ive had to keep the battery out & the computer plugged in to use it. i was planning on buying a macbook pro but my job hasnt been giving me many hours. so i was thinking while thats going on i will get an iPad & just use that when i need to move around, then in december i will get the macbook pro

Answer:
It depends on what you usually use your laptop for?

Apparently the iPad could be used effectivley for viewing videos, listening to music, browsing the internet (but has no flash support), watching youtube, emailing, and gaming.

However supposedly the iPad will not be great for creating content, so if you do much of this (eg recording/editing video, creating music, writing long articles/documents) then the iPad probably would not be a complete replacement.

Answer:
So you figure you will spend $1700 total, rather than spend $1200 now.

I mean, the basic Macbook Pro is $1200, and the iPad is $500…

So to have this new device now, Which is NOT a laptop replacement btw… you are willing to pay more in the long run.

Hmm…

… and replacing your broken Mabook with another will just cost $1000… so rather than just spend $1000, you'd prefer to spend $1700… although you’re making LESS money now.

wow.

If you only did the things that tie iPad was made for, then yes, it could serve as a temporary laptop… just like how a netbook can serve as a temporary laptop. However, you’ll not have the full functionality of a laptop… and you can't anticipate that. So, you should familiarize yourself fully with what it is capable of before you buy one…but personally, I think you are throwing your money away. Save up and get a replacement Macbook.

end of line

Answer:
I wouldn't get it if you want to use it as a laptop with complete functionality. Compared to the macbook, it is slower, has less space, it is more used for on the go quick research and email, perhaps some word documents as well.

For a full list of pro's and cons check out my friend's blog:

http://www.squidoo.com/appleincipad

Answer:
the ipad isn't a computer. it's basically just a giant ipod touch. But if you'll just be using the web, then that would be fine.