Even though coming from this Apple fan mouth I will say this:
The iPad just hit the Kindle out of the park and all other e-readers and tablets behind it.
I would buy the iPad to use as a e-reader only, the iBook store and app is to a book lover what iTunes is to music lovers and everyone else. They idea only that I can browse books like that and buy them on the spot is nirvana like. And turning a book page works like dragging a page manually! It doesn’t get any more closer to the real thing.
Now I only have to sit tight, save money and wait for it to be released in the Netherlands. I would doubt in getting it with 3G or not, but having experienced being in places with no WiFi and being able to turn to 3G on my iPhone takes that doubt away. With 3G it will be.
The iPad elegantly replaces my Hakingtosh netbook combi with iPhone tethering when staying at places without WiFi.
Apple even re-did the whole iWork UI and functionality especially for the iPad, now that’s what I call dedication!